Summary

Incumbent works in the Radiation Oncology Service at the Orlando VA Medical Center. Therapeutic Radiologic Technologists (TRT) deliver prescribed high doses of therapeutic radiation for the purpose of treatment of cancer and abnormal cell growths. TRT's perform CT simulations and deliver high doses of ionizing radiation as prescribed by the Radiation Oncologists.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet qualifications at time of application.

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: TRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English
• See 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)
• Education-(Certificate or transcripts Submitted)
• Individuals must have successfully completed a program in therapeutic radiologic technology - evidenced by a certificate or an associate's or higher degree accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology or other accrediting bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the subsequent completion of a 12-month ED accrediting body-approved program in therapeutic radiologic technology Public Law 97-35 requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 C.F.R
• Part 75
• They must have successfully completed an educational program meeting or exceeding the standards described in that regulation and is accredited by an organization recognized by the ED - and be radiation therapists certified by the ARRT in Radiation Therapy (T)
• Certification (Documentation Submitted)
• All applicants must be certified in therapeutic radiologic technology by the ARRT in Radiation Therapy (ARRT (T))
• Loss of Certification: Once certified - a TRT who fails to maintain the required certification must be removed from the occupation - which 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)
• Grandfathering Provision
• All persons employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series that are also performing the duties as described in the qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held - including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation
• For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard - but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it - the following provisions apply: Employees in an occupation not requiring a licensure/certification/registration - may be reassigned - promoted or demoted within the occupation
• Employees in an occupation requiring a licensure/certification/registration - may be reassigned - promoted up to and including the full performance level - 5 or demoted within the occupation - but may not be promoted beyond the full performance level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions
• Employees in an occupation requiring a licensure/certification/registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure/certification/registration requirement before they can be promoted to those higher-grade levels
• Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed - on a temporary or permanent basis - until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard
• Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation - who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation
• NOTE: Each uncertified TRT permanently employed on June 21 - 1986 - and whose competence in the safe administration of ionizing radiation was affirmed - in writing - by a VA licensed physician not later than January 1 - 1987 - is considered fully qualified
• These employees may be promoted - up to and including the journey level - demoted or reassigned within the GS-0648 occupational series
• Any employee initially retained in this manner who leaves this job series loses protected status and must meet the full requirements in effect at the time of reentry
• Grade Determination at the GS-10 grade level
• In addition to the basic qualifications - listed above - incumbent must meet the following grade specific qualifications: Experience
• At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level - GS-09 - directly related to the position being filled
• Example of GS-09 Experience: Employees at this level serve as staff TRTs at the full performance level independently carrying out most procedures which have varying assignments - including advanced treatment modalities and procedures
• Assignments at this level include but not limited to providing emergency treatment delivery - simple Monitor Unit dose calculation as assigned
• scheduling simulation and treatment procedures
• handling and storing radioactive materials
• educating patient - family and staff on the administration of ionizing radiation
• inspecting equipment for safety - operability and troubleshooting basic problems and machine issues
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills and Abilities
• Candidates must demonstrate all the KSAs below: Skill in independently performing machine warm up procedures and interpreting output levels compared with established thresholds adhering to the principles of radiation safety and all aspects of quality assurance
• Ability to independently perform patient chart reviews using an electronic medical record and the Record and Verify System or other similar treatment delivery systems
• Ability to independently perform all basic and complex CT simulations - 9 including independently operating the CT equipment - following directives - designing custom immobilization for reproducible set-ups - obtaining optimal imaging - completing accurate data transfer for treatment planning and providing accurate and precise patient documentation
• Ability to utilize a Linac's On Board Imaging system to interpret complex images
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required for this assignment are typical for the occupation - see Duties section for essential job duties of the position
• Physical Requirements
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• The work requires standing and walking for prolonged periods of time
• The therapist must frequently bend - reach - stoop - and stretch to set up and take apart respiratory equipment - position patients - push/pull moderately heavy objects such as mechanical ventilators
• The work requires above average dexterity and agility to perform intricate Radiation Therapy procedures.

Duties

• Duties include but are not limited to the following: Utilizes imaging and IGRT technology (KV/MV - Brainlab - OBI - CBCT) for exact treatment field placement
• Delivers a precise - prescribed therapeutic dose of radiation therapy utilizing a Linear Accelerator (Varian TrueBeam STX - Varian TrueBeam)
• Utilizes EMR (ARIA - CPRS) for workload capture - charting verification - and documentation
• Demonstrates highly skilled technical knowledge of oncologic disease processes - CT simulation - treatment planning - imaging - image guidance - treatment techniques - and radiation therapy procedures
• Performs CT simulations on CT Simulator
• Prepares any necessary contrast media to be utilized during simulation
• Recognizes abnormal lab values and notify appropriate staff prior to injection of contrast
• Demonstrate knowledge of contrast media and take prompt action should an adverse reaction occur
• Follows CT-Sim procedures step by step and seek assistance when needed
• Assists in 4DCT studies by setting up the equipment and mutually collaborating to acquire an optimal study
• Recognizes Hard Stops when needed
• Fabricates custom immobilization devices that yield reproducible patient set ups for daily radiation therapy
• Documents meticulous details of patient and immobilization set up instructions in EMR
• Indicates treatment area on patient's skin with marks and tattoos and uploads digital photo of area in EMR
• Collaborates with Radiation Oncologist - Physicist and/or Dosimetrist in selecting isocenter
• Promptly transfer data set to treatment planning computer
• Maintains a sterile cockpit with patient centric focus
• Follow set-up instructions step by step and seek assistance when needed
• Accurately reproduces initial simulation set-up (sim verify) - with proper patient positioning - immobilizationdevices - SSD measurements - and machine parameters - to ensure proper alignment and precise treatment
• Utilization of IGRT platform - cone beam CT - or OBI system to accurately verify patient's position
• Accurately delivers prescribedtherapeutic dose of treatment including - conventional - 3D conformal - 4D - electron - IMRT - VMAT - SBRT - SRS
• Verifies multi-leaf collimation - electron cutouts - electronic dynamic wedges - bolus - and compensators are correct before treatment
• Collaborates with attending or allied staff for special procedures such as SBRT - SRS - cardiac devices interrogations and in vivo dosimetry among others
• Recognizes Hard Stops when needed
• Maintains record of treatment delivery by routinely obtaining portal imaging on patients under treatment
• Verifies and documents are any changes to treatment position per physician request
• Promptly alerts physics - via electronic treatment chart or in person when immediate attention is needed - regarding changes in treatment delivery such as SSD discrepancies - patient positioning changes - or patient treatment status - toensure updates to the treatment calendar - calculations or prescription are completed
• Demonstrates broad knowledge of treatment side effects and notifies Clinical Providers as necessary
• Notifies Chief Radiation Therapist and Physics staff of equipment issues and follows their instruction
• Reports all environmental and/or equipment issues to appropriate entities
• Records machine faults and errors in the Machine FaultLogbook per department policy
• Demonstrates radiation safety knowledge to reduce exposure to patients - staff - and self in compliance with department and VA radiation safety procedures and to maintain occupational exposures
• Demonstrates knowledge of Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) regulations
• Prioritizes scheduled patients to optimize machine times with the flexibility to accommodate emergency cases
• Maintains a safe - clean environment in accordance with universal infection control precautions and other established policies and procedures
• Maintaining treatment rooms and equipment are in a clean and safe condition at all times
• Ensure all areas have adequate supplies and plan ahead to avoid depletion of stock
• Works professionally with all members of the radiation therapy team to effectively and efficiently accomplish the goals of the department
• Stays current with new developments and technologies in the field of radiation therapy and performs these new technologies to provide patients with the best possible treatment
• Participates in reviewing - revising or authoring policies and procedures as needed or assigned
• Work Schedule: Monday through Friday
• 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 82065F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized