Career Center

Summary

The Nuclear Medicine Technologist performs a wide variety of functional studies of organs and/or systems involving static and dynamic imaging procedures - the injection of radionuclides and radiopharmaceuticals - and the use of such specialized equipment as integrated computer/imaging system - single photon emission tomography - positron emission tomography - etc. - in combination with a variety of in vitro laboratory procedures at the Cincinnati VAMC.

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: Nuclear Medicine Technologists must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2 - section D - paragraph 5a - of this part
• 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
• 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)
• 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: (1) [Nuclear Medicine Technologist - GS-5] (a) Experience or Education
• None beyond the basic requirements
• [Certification as described in the basic requirements in paragraph 3.b
• above is required.] [ ] [(b)] Assignments
• Candidates at this grade level - serve as [entry level] NMTs [and] receive guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex patients and require daily direct [(i.e. - immediate)] supervision
• (2) [Nuclear Medicine Technologist - GS-7] (a) Experience [or Education] i
• [Developmental Level]
• Certification - as described in the basic requirements in paragraph [3.b.] above - [and for the developmental level assignment -] completion of 1 year of [creditable experience] equivalent to the next lower grade level - directly related to the position to be filled (i.e. - experience that demonstrates possession of the knowledge - skills - abilities - and other characteristics needed to provide nuclear medicine technology services at that level) [is required.] OR i
• [Developmental Level]
• Certification - as described in the basic requirements in paragraph [3.b.] above - [and for the developmental level assignment -] completion of 1 year of [creditable experience] equivalent to the next lower grade level - directly related to the position to be filled (i.e. - experience that demonstrates possession of the knowledge - skills - abilities - and other characteristics needed to provide nuclear medicine technology services at that level) [is required.] OR ii
• Advanced Entry Level Placement
• See VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Appendix G17
• (b) Assignments
• Candidates at this grade level [may serve as advanced entry level or developmental level] NMTs
• [They receive guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex patients and require general supervision.] At this grade - NMTs utilize the proper methods of receipt - use - storage - and disposal of radioactive material
• perform and evaluate basic quality control on all imaging and non-imaging instrumentation and auxiliary equipment - and provide basic patient care - recognizing and responding to emergency conditions
• (c) Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• [In addition - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:] i
• Knowledge of Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) regulations [that pertain to nuclear medicine technology practices.] ii
• Knowledge of the medical sciences such as anatomy - physiology - chemistry - and physics and how they relate to the cardiovascular - skeletal - endocrine - respiratory - gastrointestinal - and genitourinary systems of the human body
• iii
• Knowledge of radioactive package types - package surveys - and radioactive materials record management
• [iv
• Ability to independently use and interpret Geiger-Mueller meter.] (3) [Nuclear Medicine Technologist - GS-9] (a) Experience
• Completion of 1 year of [creditable] experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position to be filled (i.e. - experience that demonstrates possession of the knowledge - skills - abilities - and other characteristics needed to provide nuclear medicine technology services at that level) [is required.] (b) Assignments
• Candidates at this grade level serve as staff NMTs [at the journey level
• NMTs at this level have a full understanding of proper methods of receipt - use - storage - and disposal of radioactive material
• properly and independently handle unusual circumstances
• perform and evaluate daily - weekly - monthly - and quarterly quality control on all imaging and non-imaging instrumentation and auxiliary equipment - provide basic patient care - and can recognize and respond to emergency conditions
• It is expected that they routinely and independently perform the full scope and complexity of these responsibilities and receive guidance from higher-level or supervisory staff members for only the most complex patients.] (c) Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• [In addition - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:] i
• Ability to document excessive radiation exposure in the working environment
• ii
• Knowledge of medical events requiring documentation and the ability to properly document them and make recommendations to the radiation safety officer (RSO)
• iii
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing post iodine-131 therapy radiation safety precautions
• iv
• Ability to troubleshoot gamma camera and auxiliary equipment problems
• v
• Ability to analyze computer generated data for technical quality and artifacts and initiate corrective measures
• Preferred Experience: A minimum of 1 year of experience in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• 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-9. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-5 to GS-9. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service.

Duties

• The Cincinnati VA Medical Center (CVAMC) is a two-division campus located in Cincinnati - OH and Fort Thomas - KY serving 15 counties in Southwest OH - Northern Kentucky - and Southeast Indiana with 6 Community Based Outpatient Clinics located in Bellevue - KY
• Florence - KY
• Lawrenceburg - IN
• Hamilton - OH
• Clermont County - OH - and Georgetown - OH
• The CVAMC also supports two off main campus locations in the Cincinnati area via an Eye Center and Mental Health Outreach Community Division
• Duties: Work independently Adheres to all ALARA (As low as reasonably achievable) practices regarding radioactive material Receives packages into the Hotlab Reviews packages to determine if it is properly packaged and takes appropriate actions Performs package wipes and surveys of incoming/outgoing packages Documents receipt/disposal of packaging Properly documents the receipt of radioactive material for patient or research use
• Properly performs HOTLAB quality control to include: dose calibrators - well counters - uptake probes - GM meters - and ion chambers on a daily - quarterly - annually basis when applicable
• Perform daily/weekly surveys and wipes for radioactive contamination monitoring
• Perform spill clean-up and document the actions taken in accordance with NRC/NHPP regulations
• Utilizes proper methods for the use and storage of radioactive material
• Monitors and disposes of radioactive material in accordance with NRC/NHPP regulations
• Prepares radioactive material for transportation
• Analyzes circumstances contributing to radiation exposure and recommends procedures to minimize exposure
• Perform all routine nuclear medicine imaging procedures
• Perform all routine non imaging nuclear medicine procedures
• Perform all daily - monthly - quarterly - and annual nuclear medicine camera quality control to include daily floods and center of rotation validations and calibrations when needed
• Evaluate the results of camera quality control to ensure reliable images
• Prepares proper instruments - computers and auxiliary equipment and acquires the study as indicated by the protocol/SOP Prepares and performs cardiac monitoring and assists with stress testing by starting IV's and ensuring all monitoring equipment is functional
• Troubleshoots equipment and makes a judgement on the acceptable performance of the equipment prior to initiating a study
• Archives studies and raw data - produce CDs for patients/physicians when requested Assesses the performance and transfer of images to PACS (Picture Archiving System) Perform radioactive blood labeling - in-vitro and in-vivo - with proper documentation
• Adhere to USP 825 standards for labeling blood products and food preparation for radiolabeled eggs/food
• Maintains records of quality control procedures - administered doses and other daily checks as required by NHPP - NRC - THE JC - OSHA - VA Regulations and other licensing agencies
• Schedules patient studies in the appropriate sequence for single /multiple procedures and interact with hospital staff regarding exam preparation
• Receives the patient and provides proper nursing care during Nuclear medicine procedures
• Performs patient transfers using approved methods such as - but not limited to - patient lifts and roller boards Recognize emergency conditions pertaining to the patient or hospital environment and acts appropriately to resolve the condition
• Effectively communicates with the patient - family members - and staff
• Provides clinical instruction to lower-level technologist - physicians - students - patients - staff - and administrators when required
• Provides safe and sanitary working conditions
• Prepares the patient for the procedure
• Obtains patient history and checks procedural contraindications
• Selects and administers the appropriate radiopharmaceutical by the proper route
• Performs any other assigned tasks required by the nuclear medicine leadership
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - Day Shift
• Duty hours to be discussed during interview process
• On-Call rotations for off shifts
• Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 92915-0 - 92618-A - 92619-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized