The VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System is recruiting for a Nuclear Medicine Technologist. The Nuclear Medicine Technologist will function in Radiology Service.
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 American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT). NMTCB or ARRT (N) certification eligibility requirements are normally satisfied by one of the following: graduation from an educational program in nuclear medicine technology accredited by the Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation; or national certification as a registered medical technologist or registered radiologic technologist; or a bachelor's or associate's degree in one of the physical or biological sciences, and 4 years of clinical NMT experience. English Language Proficiency: [NMTs] must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. Grade Determinations: GS-5: None beyond the basic requirements. GS-7: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level in the Federal service to qualify for the GS-7. Examples of specialized experience include, but are not limited to: Utilizing the proper methods of receipt, use, storage, and disposal of radioactive material. Performing and evaluating basic quality control on all imaging and non-imagining instrumentation and auxiliary equipment. Providing basic care, recognizing and responding to emergency conditions. Providing a wide range of specialized nuclear medicine procedures, including diagnostic imagining, therapy with unsealed radioactive materials, radioassay, in-vivo or in-vitro cell AND Candidates must be able to demonstrate all of the knowledge, skills and abilities below: Knowledge of Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) regulations [that pertain to nuclear medicine technology practices.] 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. Knowledge of radioactive package types, package surveys, and radioactive materials record management. Ability to independently use and interpret Geiger-Mueller meter. GS-9: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level in the Federal service to qualify for the GS-9. Examples of specialized experience include, but are not limited to: Preparing, assaying, and administering radiopharmaceutical doses by injection, inhalation or ingestion as prescribed. Introducing intravenous catheters in patients for administration of radiopharmaceuticals and/or medications. Recognizing possible side effects of radiopharmaceuticals and other medications, such as Lasix and captopril, to be administrated. Operating nuclear medicine equipment such as gamma cameras, well counters, GM survey meters, thyroid uptake system, and dose calibrators for various patient procedures with minimal supervision. Administrating radioactive pharmaceuticals to patients. Performing radionuclide therapy in collaboration with Nuclear Medicine Physician. AND Candidates must be able to demonstrate all of the knowledge, skills and abilities below: 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/125, Part II, Appendix G19 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-05 to GS-09. Physical Requirements: This position requires the ability to do the following: Heavy lifting (45lbs and over), moderate carrying (15-44lbs), pushing, use of fingers, use of both hands, walking (up to 8hrs), standing (up to 8hrs), repeated bending (up to 8hrs), ability to distinguish basic colors, emotional/mental stability. Environmental factors include: exposure to radiant energy, slippery or uneven walking surfaces, working closely with others and/or working alone.
Nuclear Medicine Technologists will, with supervision, provide a wide range of specialized nuclear medicine procedures, including diagnostic imaging, therapy with unsealed radioactive materials, radioassay, in-vivo or in-vitro cell labeling; evaluate abnormal results; use and maintain equipment; set up and monitor quality control; work within guidelines from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Department of Transportation (DOT), National Health Physics Program, Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA) among others. Duties include but not limited to: Operating nuclear medicine equipment such as imaging systems such as SPECT, SPECT/CT, PET and PET/CT, well counters, GM survey meters, thyroid uptake system, and dose calibrators for various patient procedures. Also operate and understand the PET dose infusion system. Possessing a good working knowledge of processing of data. Understanding and performing exposure rate calculations. Performing a full range of nuclear medicine diagnostic imaging, non-imaging, in-vitro and therapeutic procedures, including highly specialized computer assisted studies such as gated, tomographic, quantitative procedures and Positron Emission Tomographic studies. Performing and understanding a range of hybrid imaging including SPECT/CT and PET/CT. Knowledgeable in low dose Computed Tomography aspects including KeV and MAS settings. Understanding attenuation correction and anatomical landmarks as they relate to CT. Attentive to CT safety and reducing the patient's dose to as low as reasonably possible. Performing radionuclide therapy in collaboration with Nuclear Medicine Physician. Instructing patient, family and nursing staff in radiation safety precautions. Performing radiation surveys, post appropriate caution signs, and distribute personnel monitoring devices as required. Scheduling patient procedures, taking into consideration camera availability, scan length, patient condition, the need for multiple nuclear medicine studies, other clinic appointments of the patient, contraindications for the test and urgency of the request. Performing required technical procedures for safe receipt, handling, transport, usage and disposal of radioactive materials, assuring compliance with multiple regulatory and medical center policies. Performing daily laboratory surveys, wipe tests and bio-assays. Recognizing evidence of contamination and act accordingly to maintain ALARA principles. Preparing, assaying, and administering radiopharmaceutical doses by injection, inhalation or ingestion as prescribed. Introducing intravenous catheters in patients for administration of radiopharmaceuticals and/or medications. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday (Rotating shifts as needed) Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 94133-0, 94134-0, 94135-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not authorized