Summary

The Nuclear Medicine Technologist position is located in the Diagnostic Imaging Service at the West Roxbury - MA location. This position is a Full-Time position at 40 hours per week.

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
• Certification
• 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
• Loss of Credential
• Once certified - NMTs must maintain a full - valid - and unrestricted certification
• Loss of credential will result in removal from the GS-0601 NMT occupation and may result in termination of employment
• For occupations which require an active certification at all grade levels - at the discretion of the appointing official - an employee may be reassigned to another occupation for which he/she qualifies if a placement opportunity exists
• For occupations which require an active credential (licensure/certification/registration) in assignments above the journey level only - at the discretion of the appointing official - an employee may remain at an appropriate lower grade level in the occupation when both of the following apply: the credential is not a requirement and a placement opportunity exists
• English Language Proficiency
• Nuclear medicine technologists must be proficient in spoken and written English Grade Determinations:GS-11 Experience: At this level - completion of 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-09) directly related to the position to be filled - i.e. - experience that demonstrates possession of the KSAs and other characteristics needed to provide nuclear medicine technology and administrative services is required
• This experience must have provided the candidate with an in-depth knowledge of common and uncommon nuclear medicine procedures - in-depth knowledge of radiation safety practices - and knowledge of staffing levels - financial management - personnel management - and supply management
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• The candidate must demonstrate all the following technical KSAs: Ability to produce and assess high quality scans and quality control images using independent judgement to recognize abnormal or unacceptable results
• Knowledge and skill in 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
• Ability to obtain - assess - and document pre-therapy patient preparation information and provide post-therapy patient education following proper administration of advanced therapy dose
• Ability to develop new protocols for imaging procedures
• Ability to analyze instances of increased radiation exposure levels and recommend measures to reduce
• Ability to analyze consequences of improper packaging of radioactive material and take appropriate actions
• Preferred Experience Will consider new graduates
• CT certificate is an additional benefit
• Hybrid Imaging and Theragnostic experience preferred
• 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
• References: VA Handbook 5005/125 Part II Appendix G19
• Physical Requirements: This position requires a moderate amount of physical activity working with the equipment and maneuvering patients including eye/hand coordination
• full use of arms - hands and wrists
• transporting - lifting - lowering - moving - turning heavy objects and/or patients
• standing - sitting - or reaching for extended periods of time.

Duties

• Administers radiopharmaceuticals or pharmaceuticals Verifying patient identity before the administration of radiopharmaceuticals utilizing necessary quality management methods of patient identification such as using at least two unique identifiers
• Determining the rout of administration according to established protocol (e.g. - subcutaneous - intramuscular - and intravenous - etc.)
• Establishing venipuncture access using aseptic technique
• Positioning the patient and obtaining images Waiting an appropriate length of time after the administration of a radiopharmaceutical to begin the imaging procedure Acquiring imaging views according to established protocols and acquiring additional views to optimize information content Properly positioning the patient using supportive materials and immobilizers - as necessary Providing for proper comfort and care to the patient before - during - and after a procedure - including the monitoring of intravenous lines - oxygen supplies - and drains Establishing and maintaining proper communication with patients Behaving in a professional manner in consideration and observation of patient's rights and dignity
• Prepares the patient by: Reviewing the indication for the study for appropriateness and following up with the authorized user and/ or referring physician as necessary to assure that the proper study is being performed
• Verifying patient identification - date of last menstrual period - pregnancy/breast feeding status - and written orders for the procedure as well as renal function tests if the patient is undergoing CT with IV contrast
• Obtaining a pertinent medical history and confirming the patient's candidacy for the procedure
• Recognizing and responding to medical emergency conditions by: Initiating a call for assistance
• Administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation when necessary
• Maintaining intravenous fluids - oxygen and other life-support assistance until dedicated medical emergency staff arrives
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday
• Hours: 6:00am-6:00pm
• Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: F04538 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS):Not Authorized
• PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized
• Financial Disclosure Report: Not required.