The Lead Nuclear Medicine Technologist (NMT) position is assigned to the Imaging Service within the Nuclear Medicine section at the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System. 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

The Lead Technologist is responsible for performing a wide variety of functional studies of organs and/or systems involving static and dynamic imaging procedures, integrated computer/imaging systems, single photon emission tomography, PET/CT, etc., in combination with a variety of radioimmunoassay (in vitro) laboratory procedures on biological specimens. Additionally, they are responsible for managing and directing the work of lower grade technologists when examinations/procedures require assistance and performing studies in General Nuclear Medicine, Nuclear Cardiology, Radiotherapy and PET/CT, as well as in-vivo procedures such as 111-In WBC labeling. This specialty modality requires specific knowledge of cross multiple nuclear medicine examinations. The technologist requires specific knowledge and training in the location, appearance, and function of the various major and minor systems susceptible to nuclear medicine; to interpret the examination request accurately; to understand the functioning and inter-relationship of the various organs; to use the methods and techniques which will identify organs appearing on the digital display monitor, and the various stages of the examination to judge the acceptability of the image and/or scan for diagnostic use and to emphasize the aspects of particular interest to the physician. Duties and responsibilities of the Lead Nuclear Medicine Technologist include, but are not limited to: Responsible for analyzing the consequences of improper packaging of radioactive material and take appropriate actions. These actions may consist of contacting the Chief Technologist, the RSO, and/or the Radiopharmacy. Determines personnel needing personal monitoring devices such as EKG Technologists, new employees, and Fellows/Residents that rotate through the Nuclear Medicine Service. Analyzes personal monitoring results that are available at the end of each month or specified time as assigned by the RSO and recommends corrective action to the Chief Nuclear Medicine Technologist and RSO, if needed and/or if levels are unsatisfactory. Analyzes instances of increased radiation exposure levels and recommends measures to reduce those levels to the Chief Nuclear Medicine Technologist and the RSO. Calculates personal exposure rates and rates of radioactive packages that are received in the nuclear medicine hot lab by utilizing the proper knowledge and equipment available. Properly document excessive radiation exposure by contacting Chief Nuclear Medicine Technologist and the RSO for assistance and guidance. Develops new protocols for imaging procedures and ensures current protocols are up to date. Refers to nuclear medicine journals, Physicians, Chief Technologist, and other resources available. Manages and directs the work of lower grade technologists when examinations/procedures require assistance. Directs all section schedules in a manner that optimizes workflow while maintaining flexibility for emergency cases, rearranging patients to accommodate these requests. This requires the ability to prioritize scheduled patients as well as the ability to accommodate the emergency patient. Ensures all procedures and general operations are performed to meet The Joint Commission Standards. Develops and maintains a weekly rotational technologist schedule to ensure fair and equal rotation of the technologists and their duties. Determines staffing requirements based on past, present, and future workload patterns while developing the weekly/monthly work schedules. Responsible for training new technologists in all imaging aspects under their direction including specialized cases. Recommends, coordinates and evaluates new or modified procedures/protocols. Instructs other technologists on specialized tasks and new/modified procedures and policies and ensures their compliance and understanding. Accurately operates a wide variety of imaging equipment to obtain examinations of acceptable quality, utilizing the least amount of radiation to obtain quality imaging for diagnosis and localization purposes. Required to maintain competence in Venipuncture and Basic Life Support (BLS). Performs all aspects of NM imaging to include; General Nuclear Medicine, Nuclear Cardiology, Radiotherapy and PET/CT. Performs computer acquisition and analysis of data. Selects and modifies programs to acquire patient studies. Assists the nuclear medicine physician and RSO in performing all therapeutic procedures to include I-131 radioiodine therapy (hyperthyroidism and ablation), Sr-89 and/or Sm-153 palliative therapy for metastatic bone pain and Bexxar therapy for lymphoma. Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday through Friday from 6:30 am to 3:00 pm Telework: Not Available for Telework Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): 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. 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). NMTCB or ARRT (N) certification eligibility requirements are normally satisfied by one of the following: Completion of a NMTCB-recognized nuclear medicine technology program, OR Completion of a nuclear medicine technology program accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology (JRCNMT), or other accrediting agencies as recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), culminating in a certificate, associate, baccalaureate, or master's degree. Educational programs must have structured clinical training sufficient to provide clinical competency in radiation safety, instrumentation, clinical procedures, and radio-pharmacy, as deemed acceptable by the NMTCB. NOTE: Technologists functioning as multi-modality technologists require additional specific certifications as stated in assignment descriptions below. English Language Proficiency: NMTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, VA Handbook 5005, Part II. Grade Determinations for Lead Nuclear Medicine Technologist, GS-11: For all assignments above the journey level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. NMTs at this level are fully functional as an advanced NMT and carry out their assigned tasks independently. Functions as a lead technologist for a group of NMTs at and below the journey level (GS-9) and other unit staff. The lead technologist is responsible for assignment of work to ensure effective unit operation and maximizing use of unit resources. This position provides a full range of nuclear medicine procedures, has a broad knowledge of the different modalities within the diagnostic radiologic area, and is accountable to the next higher-level supervisor Experience. For assignments above the journey level, the candidate must have 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-09) directly related to the position being filled and must fully meet the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) at that level. KSAs of a GS-09 Nuclear Medicine Technologist are: Ability to document excessive radiation exposure in the working environment. Knowledge of medical events requiring documentation and the ability to properly document them and make recommendations to the radiation safety officer (RSO). Ability to communicate orally and in writing post iodine-131 therapy radiation safety precautions. Ability to troubleshoot gamma camera and auxiliary equipment problems. Ability to analyze computer generated data for technical quality and artifacts and initiate corrective measures. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs: Ability to motivate and mentor staff. Ability to respond to decrease staffing levels or increase in workload involving all parties that restructure work assignments. Ability to communicate effectively with supervisor and staff. References: VA Handbook 5005/125, Part II, Appendix G19, Nuclear Medicine Technologist Qualification Standard, GS-0601 dated December 10, 2019. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over; moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds; pushing up to 4 hours; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers, good dexterity (both hands required); prolonged walking, prolonged standing; repeated bending; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid permitted); speed in working; and emotional stability. Must have the ability to stand and work while wearing a lead apron for possibly long periods of time.

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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address CW Bill Young Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 10000 Bay Pines Boulevard Bay Pines, FL 33744 US
• Name: Jayme Cooper
• Phone: 717-222-1893
• Email: [email protected]