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 generally satisfied by one of the following: Completion of an 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 the assignment descriptions below
• English Language Proficiency
• NMTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, [No person will be appointed under the authority of 38 U.S.C. Ch
• 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English]
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• GS-11 Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Multi-Modality Technologist) 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 KSAs at that 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
• GS-09 knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs)
• Nuclear Medicine Technologist assigned to this position must demonstrate ALL the following: 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
• AND GS-11 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs: Knowledge of contrast media, side effects, medication allergic reactions, drug interactions, and extravasation assessment
• Skill to differentiate multi-modality protocols and adjust protocols according to patient needs, body mass index, or area of interest
• Knowledge of unique scanning and processing parameters required of multi-modality imaging
• Ability to troubleshoot and make simple repairs to PET/CT and/or PET/MR imaging systems
• Ability to care for patients during all stages of the procedure and provide emergency response care when necessary
• Knowledge of all contraindications for performing CT and/or MR scans
• Certification: Multi-modality technologists must hold appropriate specific certification in nuclear medicine (MNTCB or ARRT(N)), as well as CT (MNTCB(CT) or ARRT (CT)), and/or MR (ARRT(MR)) applicable to independently perform the assignment duties
• 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 PET/CT, SPECT/CT and/or PET/MR procedures that include diagnostic nuclear medicine, CT, and/or MR fused images
• Multi-modality technologists must hold appropriate specific certifications in nuclear medicine (NMTCB or ARRT(N)), as well as CT (NMTCB(CT)) or ARRT (CT)), and/or MR (ARRT (MR)) applicable to independently perform the assignment duties
• They carry out these complex assignments independently as part of nuclear medicine procedures
• Assignments may include injection of contrast and recognition of allergic reaction, contraindications, and medication interactions
• The work must be of sufficient scope and complexity to meet the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform at this level
• Preferred Experience: Registered Nuclear Medicine Technologist (NMTCB or ARRT-CT-N)
• Register Computed tomography (NMTCB-CT or ARRT-CT) Minimum 2 years of clinical experience in Nuclear Medicine and CT Imaging (preferred) Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is the GS-11
• Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as: Standing and walking for extended periods (4 6 hours per shift)
• Lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling objects up to 45 pounds (e.g., radiopharmaceutical doses, lead shielding, portable equipment)
• Reaching, bending, and positioning patients, some of whom may be unconscious, disabled, or require assistance with mobility
• Wearing protective lead aprons and radiation badges as required
• Visual acuity, keen hearing, clear speech, and manual dexterity are essential
• Incumbent must have the ability to distinguish basic colors, shades, and fine details on imaging studies.