Summary

The Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Fusion Imaging Technologist) performs technical work in support of the Diagnostic and Therapeutic Care Line - Nuclear Medicine section under the direction of a Nuclear Medicine Physician or Radiologist.

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:

• US 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 Exceptions
• Non-certified applicants - who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for NMTCB or ARRT (N) certification - may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate NMT under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405 (a)(1)(D)
• Failure to obtain certification [within 1 year from the date of appointment] is justification for termination of the temporary appointment
• This may result in termination of employment
• 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: GS-11 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
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs Ability to produce and assess high quality fusion and quality control images using independent judgement to recognize abnormal or unacceptable results Practical knowledge and skill in the 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
• Knowledge of CT and/or MR radiographic techniques utilized in quality control and acquisition parameters Ability to recognize and correct fusion imaging system errors 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
• NMTs in this assignment perform fusion imaging such as positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) - single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) and/or positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance (PET/MR) procedures that include non-diagnostic low dose CT attenuation corrected or MR fused images
• They carry out these complex assignments independently
• Assignments may include advanced therapies
• The work must be of sufficient scope and complexity to meet the knowledge - skills - and abilities to perform at this level
• Preferred Experience: Prefer 1 year experience - not required
• 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-11
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-11
• Physical Requirements: The Nuclear Medicine PET/CT Technologist's work requires long periods of standing - sitting and walking up to 8 hours
• There is repeated bending - pushing / pulling - reaching above shoulders - use of both hands (hands and fingers) - twisting and carrying of moderately heavy articles weighing from 15-44 pounds such as shipping containers that contain shielded patient doses - phantoms - flood source - lead lined items that included but not limited to sharps container - syringe shields - L-Shield - and radioactive waste barrels
• Positioning of patients who are disabled may require considerable effort and working in awkward positions
• Heavy lifting of incapacitated patients is done only with help of the overhead patient lift
• If the lift is out of service and a sliding board must be used - then several staff members are required to safely move a patient
• Near vision correctable at 13 inches to 16 inches to Jaeger 1 - 4 and far vision correctable in one eye to 20/50 and to 20/100 in the other is acceptable
• Hearing aids are permitted
• Nuclear Medicine Technologists must display emotional and mental stability
• Work area is well lighted and ventilated
• Control booths and walls are lead lined to reduce possibility of exposure to x-rays
• Lead screens are used in areas where needed to reduce radiation to personnel.

Duties

• The Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Fusion Imaging Technologist) will be scheduled and assigned to all areas of the Service and must possess the required professional knowledge - skills and abilities to perform the following functions: Patient Care Organizes and plans for the efficient flow of patient care work for optimal utilization of technical staff
• Assigns work ensuring a cooperative and professional work environment
• Adjusts and revises assignments on a day-to-day basis as required to meet examination schedules - responds to emergencies during peak workloads and fluctuating staff presence
• Verifies patient identity to comply with medical center and service policy - physician order for the procedure - and pregnancy status of females - when appropriate
• Performs patient assessment of medication use - mobility and cognitive function - and sensory changes in patient
• Explains the procedure in a manner that can be understood by the patient - answers patient questions about the procedure - and addresses patient concerns on use of radioactive materials and radiation safety
• Performs difficult - complex - non-standardized tests
• Assists in the development of new computer applications in Nuclear Medicine - SPECT/CT and PET/CT
• Ensures the monitoring of all activities within the department and takes appropriate action as required in order to ensure their efficient and effective operation
• This includes - but is not limited to - coordinating room assignments - room changes - and emergency coverage
• Determines the appropriate sequence for multiple procedure requests and coordinates Nuclear Medicine and PET/CT procedures with other diagnostic procedures or therapy
• Oversees the operation of the patient care section
• Maintains an inventory on radiopharmaceuticals and supplies
• Evaluates need and selects appropriate equipment and supplies
• Initiates purchase of these items
• Additional duties Radio pharmacy Receives radioactive material (RAM) packages and responds appropriately if the package is damaged or wet
• Monitors RAM package for external exposure and removable contamination
• Analyzes the survey results and takes appropriate notification action if the results exceed regulatory limits
• Documents package receipt
• Enters the radioactive material into inventory - stores radioactive material appropriately - defaces RAM package - and properly disposes of packaging material
• Maintains record for review/inspection
• Reviews daily work schedule and prepares appropriate Tc-99m labeled radiopharmaceuticals to accomplish the workload - such as MDP - Mebrofenin - Macroaggregated Albumin - MAG3 - and DTPA
• Radiolabels meal for gastric emptying studies
• Ensures that commercially prepared radiopharmaceuticals needed to accomplish the workload have been ordered or are available
• Additional duties Equipment Quality Control Responsible for the equipment quality assurance program
• Responsible for the technical aspect of equipment operation and safety and for carrying out the recommendations of the radiology safety committee
• Oversees the calibration of instruments
• Evaluates instrument malfunction and initiates repairs
• Monitors quality assurance on instrumentation - equipment - procedures and patient care
• Participates in the development of quality control procedures for new equipment and tests as they are introduced into the department
• Diagnostic Procedures Reviews the work schedule to determine radiopharmaceutical and supply needs
• Responsible for ordering radiopharmaceuticals and supplies and ensuring that adequate volumes of each are available for patient procedures
• Receives ordered items and reconciles orders
• Selects - prepares - and uses proper imaging cameras - computers - and auxiliary equipment (IV and syringe pumps - power injector - ECG gating devices - etc.) to perform a wide variety of functional nuclear medicine and PET/CT studies
• Additional Duties Radiopharmaceutical Therapy Assists the Nuclear Medicine Physician in performing a wide variety of radiopharmaceutical therapies with I-131 - Sm-153 - Ra-223 - Y-90 - and SR-89
• Ensures that the authorized user has completed the written directive
• Additional Duties
• Radiation Safety Implements and follows the Radiation Safety Program
• Follows the procedures for the safe use of unsealed and sealed sources to reduce occupational radiation exposure and exposure to the public
• Secures and stores radioactive material and sealed sources to prevent unauthorized access or removal
• Additional Duties Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 7:00am-3:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 06825F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized