The Supervisory Nuclear Medicine Technologist (NMT) position is assigned to the VA Healthcare System, Imaging Service. The Supervisory 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.

Duties

Duties include but are not limited to: Responsible for analyzing the consequences of improper packaging of radioactive material and take appropriate actions. Analyzes instances of increased radiation exposure levels and recommends measures to reduce those levels to the Program Director Medical Imaging 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 Program Director Medical [(Radiation Safety Officer (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, Program Director Medical Imaging, 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 to optimize workflow while maintaining flexibility for emergency cases, rearranging patients to accommodate these requests. 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. Organizes staff work assignments, including lunch and break rotations. Recommends the reassignment of techs, if necessary, because of call-ins or increased/ decreased workload. Initiates recommendations to higher authorities on changes to increase productivity, revise staffing, assure cost efficiency and improve morale. 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. Participates in the evaluation of new employees and has input on the evaluation of current employees. Ensures policies are communicated to all staff, ensuring they have the knowledge, skills and ability to follow the policies independently. 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. Assists the nuclear medicine physician and RSO in performing all therapeutic procedures to include 1-131 radioiodine therapy (hyperthyroidism and ablation), Sr-89 and/or Sm-153 palliative therapy for metastatic bone pain and Bexxar therapy for lymphoma. Performs computer acquisition and analysis of data. Performs other assigned duties. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

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. 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. 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:(1) Completion of a NMTCB-recognized nuclear medicine technology program, OR, (2) 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: 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: Supervisory Nuclear Medicine Technologist GS-12 Experience. For assignments above the journey level, the candidate must have 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled and must fully meet the KSAs at that level. Assignments. 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. Individuals in this assignment assume full administrative and professional responsibility for planning and directing the nuclear medicine program and technologists above the journey level at a medical center or independent outpatient clinic. They also have supervisory responsibility over the RSO program. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs as designated by an asterisk (*): 1. *Ability to assign and evaluate work of subordinate staff as well as resolve problems that may interfere with the delivery of nuclear medicine services by staff members. 2. Skill in providing complex nuclear medicine patient procedures. 3. *Ability to develop and initiate new protocols which apply to current research findings. 4. *Skill in providing administrative reports both orally and in writing [with higher level authorities (i.e., NHPP, T JC, NRC, Inspector General, executive leadership)]. 5. *Ability to interview candidates for positions in the section; recommend appointments, advancements, or, when appropriate, disciplinary actions; evaluate performance; and identify continuing education and training needs. Preferred Experience: 1 year Nuclear Medicine Certified. Applicants must have completed a Radiation Safety Officer Training course. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019

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 Captain James A Lovell Federal Health Care Center 3001 Green Bay Road North Chicago, IL 60064 US
• Name: Lisa Ahearn
• Phone: (928) 445-4860 X6301
• Email: [email protected]