The Radiation Oncology Service Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist Team Leader position is assigned to the Pittsburgh VA Healthcare System, Radiation Oncology, within the Imaging Service Line. This is a general medical and surgical facility, classified as a Level 1A facility. It is a teaching hospital, providing a full range of patient care services, with state-of-the-art technology as well as education and limited research.

Duties

Operate equipment in accordance with departmental Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to preform warm-up procedures and treatment operations on Varian linear accelerators, including 3D, IMRT Rapid Arc, IGRT, electron therapy, and all complex radiation treatment procedures (i.e., SBRT, SBRT w/ compression belt, SRS, prone breast treatment) and routinely perform without guidance or assistance from supervisor or peers. This includes multi-leaf collimation, portal vision operations, and OBI on-board imager. Full implementation of patient and staff safety precautions, hospital patient identification policy and treatment verification procedures. Identifies individual patient by the required identification methods set forth by hospital policy and departmental procedures before assisting in simulation and each daily radiation treatment is delivered. Verifies patient consent prior to assisting in CT simulation. Must be alert to patient's condition and other disorders. Reactions on the part of the patient require immediate attention so that harm does not come to the patient. Knowledge of basic nursing procedures, examination preparation and contraindications. Validate/identify tattoos and or markings on patient's skin required for locating treatment area. Verifies patient's treatment area daily in the treatment machine vault. Independently operates CT Simulator and performs all basic and complex simulations. Follows directives, designs custom immobilizations for reproducible set-ups, obtains optimal imaging, completes accurate data transfer for treatment planning, and provides accurate patient documentation. Independently obtains isocenter verification and treatment field verification with conformal blocking, multi-leaf collimator, or cerro-bend blocking. Independently utilize a Linac's On Board Imaging system and interpret the images using in-depth knowledge of anatomy to implement changes. Utilizes advanced problem-solving skills to resolve difficult treatment set up issues, remaining within the limits of sound radiation therapy practices and within the scope of the therapist's training, experience and authority. And provides guidance to lower level TRT's and students. Independently utilizes electronic radiation treatment chart for set-up instructions, field size, field shaping, SSD, field compensators and beam restrictions. Uses advanced skills to employ any necessary accessory beam restriction devices, i.e., wedges, bolus, collimator angles, multi-leaf collimation, or cerrobend blocks for fields to be treated. Recognizes chart deficiencies (e.g., timely calculation checks, incorrect cumulative doses, care paths and/or other discrepancies) which need correction and either rectify or alert appropriate staff member. Performs weekly therapist chart checks for the patients undergoing treatment. Follows departmental procedures for electronic charting and coding utilizing ARIA and CPRS. This is to include full implementation of the departmental procedures for patient scheduling, tasks, care paths, patient agendas, checklists, questionnaires, and coding capture. Failure to follow department procedures can result in a documentation error. Maintains an efficient patient schedule. This requires the ability to prioritize Lead Duties: Provides technical oversight and assign personnel, utilizing staff to provide the optimal level of patient care each day. Provides input for performance appraisals, competencies and assuring compliance with standard operating procedures. Participate in in the planning, directions and distribution of work assignments of the lower grade level therapeutic radiologic technologist. Evaluates and reports on progression of workload and adjusts as required in accordance with the established procedures and protocols. Facilitates all essential communication to the Chief Radiation Therapist regarding clinical and operational needs. Skilled to deliver treatments, mentor and provide oversight to lower level TRT's with basic and complex radiation treatments on a Linear Accelerator, as prescribed by the Radiation Oncologist. Instructs and trains TRTs on Record and Verify System. Resolves informal employee complaints and minor differences of opinions using problem solving skills. Instructs and mentors new hires within the department. Assist in the review and development of policies and standard operating procedures. Facilitates chart rounds, in-services, staff and therapist meetings, Quality improvement activities and other departmental meetings as requested Work Schedule: 7:00am- 3:30pm Compressed/Flexible:No Telework: No Functional Statement #: TRT-GS-0648-11 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact , the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. 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. Education. Individuals must have successfully completed a program in therapeutic radiologic technology, evidenced by a certificate or an associate's or higher degree accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology or other accrediting bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the subsequent completion of a 12-month ED accrediting body-approved program in therapeutic radiologic technology. Public Law 97-35 requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 C.F.R. Part 75. They must have successfully completed an educational program meeting or exceeding the standards described in that regulation and is accredited by an organization recognized by the ED, and be radiation therapists certified by the ARRT in Radiation Therapy (T). Certification. All applicants must be certified in therapeutic radiologic technology by the ARRT in Radiation Therapy (ARRT (T). All applicants must be certified in therapeutic radiologic technology by the ARRT in Radiation Therapy (ARRT (T). English Language Proficiency. TRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English. See 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: . In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist, GS-10 Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled. Assignments. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity, range of variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Employees at this level serve as advanced staff TRTs independently carrying out procedures which have varying assignments. This includes basic and advanced treatment modalities and procedures, which exceed the full performance level. Employee will be assigned the responsibility of emergency on-call treatments, if applicable, and perform simple Monitor Unit calculations. Other assignments include but, are not limited to performing CT simulations, troubleshooting for basic problems and machine issues, maintaining treatment rooms and equipment in a clean, neat and safe condition and assisting patients to and from the treatment room. Regardless of the nature of the specific assignment, the work must be of sufficient scope and complexity to meet the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform at this level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate all the KSAs below: (a) Skill in independently performing machine warm up procedures and interpreting output levels compared with established thresholds adhering to the principles of radiation safety and all aspects of quality assurance. (b) Ability to independently perform patient chart reviews using an electronic medical record and the Record and Verify System or other similar treatment delivery systems. (c) Ability to independently perform all basic and complex CT simulations, including independently operating the CT equipment, following directives, designing custom immobilization for reproducible set-ups, obtaining optimal imaging, completing accurate data transfer for treatment planning and providing accurate and precise patient documentation. (d) Ability to utilize a Linac's On Board Imaging system to interpret complex images. Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist, GS-11 Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled. Assignments. The lead TRT functions as a team leader for a group of TRTs who provide the full range of general and complex therapeutic radiologic oncology treatment procedures. The lead TRT provides technical oversight, distributes work assignments and provides input on performance and competencies. Assignments at this level include, but are not limited to: approving leave requests for a few hours or in emergency situations; instructing and training TRT staff on newly acquired equipment; providing orientation to staff, students, residents and others as requested; and assisting with staff scheduling, quality assurance, compliance, authoring, reviewing and updating procedures and policies. In addition, the lead TRT serves as the technical mentor, trainer and coach for the staff. The lead TRT is accountable to the next higher-level supervisor. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate all the KSAs below: (a) Ability to provide technical oversight, assure compliance with standard operating procedures, distribute work assignments to lower level radiation therapists and provide input for performance appraisals and competencies. (b) Skill in effective communication of all aspects of patient care with the radiation oncology team to include facilitating all essential communication to the Chief Radiation Therapist or leadership regarding clinical and operational issues. (c) Ability to independently deliver, mentor and provide oversight to lower level TRTs with basic and complex radiation treatments on a linear accelerator, as prescribed by the radiation oncologist. (d) Ability to instruct and train TRTs on the Record and Verify System (or other similar treatment delivery systems), newly acquired equipment, devices and products within the service. (e) Ability to resolve informal employee disputes and concerns using problem solving skills. (f) Ability to develop local policies and standard operating procedures References: VA Handbook 5005/137 Part II Appendix G26 January 15, 2021 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-10. Physical Requirements: The physical demands of the work include: Moderate lifting, 15 - 44 pounds; pushing up to 8 hours; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers, good dexterity (both hands required); prolonged walking, prolonged standing; both legs required; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; near vison correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20; depth perception; ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of colors; hearing (aid permitted); emotional stability; verbal communication; English Language Proficiency. TRTS must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C.7402(d), and 74O7(d) Physical Environment; Electrical energy; Working around machinery with moving parts; working closely with others.

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 Pittsburgh VA Medical Center 1010 Delafield Road Pittsburgh, PA 15215 US
• Name: Jonathan Davis
• Phone: 405-439-1259
• Email: [email protected]