The incumbent will serve as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist in the Nuclear Medicine & Radiology Department at the Richmond VA Medical Center. The role consists of a wide variety of functional imaging, fusion imaging, and non-imaging radionuclide studies, requiring the administration of radiopharmaceuticals and the use of specialized equipment such as integrated computer/ gamma camera systems and counting instruments.

Duties

Duties include but are not limited to : Relationships with management, co-workers, patients, and the general public will be consistently courteous, respectful, and cooperative in nature. Incumbent will ensure productivity is maintained at the established level for the program for which he/ she is responsible. Independently performs routine and complex diagnostic imaging procedures including static, dynamic, whole body, and SPECT scans. Examples are bone, lung, thyroid, renal, and cardiovascular imaging, PET-CT, and SPECT-CT (CT for attenuation correction and anatomic localization). Prepares and administers radiopharmaceuticals by injection, by inhalation, or orally, considering precautions relative to radiation hazard, sterility, and radiochemical purity. Calculates volume and amount of activity following protocols approved by Nuclear Medicine Physician. Administers F-18 FDG and operates PET-CT scanner for acquisition of PET scans and CT for anatomic localization and attenuation correction. Understands and applies calculation of exposures from both X-Ray and photons emitted from Determines if additional information is needed for clarification of test results. Identifies positive results and notifies the Nuclear Medicine Physician immediately. Assists physician in special administrations of radiopharmaceuticals (e.g., for cisternography or lymphoscintigraphy) and in therapeutic nuclear medicine procedures. The technologist ensures that informed consent and written directive are properly obtained, and dose accurately assayed Performs prescribed dose calibrator linearity and accuracy checks and provides radiation safety training for new hospital employees. Follows radiation safety practices to minimize exposure to patient, staff, and self. This is achieved using shielding and appropriate PPE, with understanding and practice of ALARA principles. Performs daily and weekly laboratory surveys to verify absence of radioactive contamination. Understands and applies calculation of exposures from both X-Ray and photons emitted from the wide variety of isotopes used in nuclear medicine. Calculates exposure rates based on administered dose and published physiologic distribution of pharmaceuticals. Work Schedule: M-F 8am to 4:30pm. *The position supports 24/7 operations throughout the calendar year. Work is typically performed on the day shift; however, candidate may be subject to overtime work, shift work, and/or work on rotating shifts to include evenings, weekends, and holidays. Subject to call back outside tour of duty. Compressed/Flexible:Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Radiology and Nuclear Medicine Service Functional Statement Nuclear Medicine Technologist, GS-0601-11 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency. [NMTs] must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, of VA Handbook 5005. Certification. All applicants must be certified in nuclear medicine technology by the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) or the American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT) (N). Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: Completion of 1 year of [creditable] experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-9) directly related to the position to be filled. *MUST Provide non-award SF-50 as supporting documentation* Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs: Ability to produce and assess high quality scans and quality control images using independent judgement to recognize abnormal or unacceptable results. Knowledge and skill in use of ancillary equipment with an understanding of how the results will affect the study outcome. Knowledge of physiologic processes as they relate to altered radiopharmaceutical uptake and/or artefactual findings. Ability to obtain, assess, and document pre-therapy patient preparation information and provide post-therapy patient education following proper administration of advanced therapy dose. Ability to develop new protocols for imaging procedures. Ability to analyze instances of increased radiation exposure levels and recommend measures to reduce. Ability to analyze consequences of improper packaging of radioactive material and take appropriate actions. Preferred Experience: N/A References: VA Handbook 5005 Appendix G19 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: In the course of rendering appropriate patient care and obtaining results of functional studies and imaging procedures, the technologist will be required to assist the patient in assuming the proper position which may call for the technologist to stoop and bend in order to lift and position the patient into an appropriate manner for obtaining the required data. Performance of the major portion of the in vitro and functional testing will require that the technologist spend a great deal of time on his/her feet. There will occasionally be the necessity for moving heavy equipment to various rooms. The requirement that the technologist handle radiopharmaceuticals carries with it the implied requirement that the material be continuously shielded within heavy barriers, which imposes an additional physical task upon the incumbent. The technologist will be called upon to receive and handle shipments of radiopharmaceuticals, which will arrive with large amounts of heavy shielding about them, requiring significant physical effort to receive and store these in a proper manner.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address Central Virginia VA Health Care System 1201 Broad Rock Boulevard Richmond, VA 23249 US
• Name: Jasmine German
• Email: [email protected]