Summary

The Supervisory Nuclear Medicine Technologist is responsible for providing a wide range of specialized nuclear medicine procedures - including diagnostic imaging - therapy with unsealed radioactive materials - radio bioassay - cell labeling; evaluating abnormal results; using and maintaining equipment; setting up and monitoring quality control; and working within guidelines.

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:

• Citizenship
• 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 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
• English Language Proficiency: NMTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2 - section D - paragraph 5a
• 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
• Supervisory Nuclear Medicine Technologist - GS-12 Experience
• The candidate must have one (1) year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-11) level directly related to the position and must fully meet the knowledge - skills and abilities (KSAs) at that level
• 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
• Individuals in this assignment assume full administrative and professional responsibility for planning and directing the nuclear medicine program and technologists above the journey level at a medical center or independent outpatient clinic
• They also have supervisory responsibility over a program
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• The candidate must demonstrate all the following technical KSAs and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs as designated by an asterisk (*)
• *Ability to assign and evaluate work of subordinate staff as well as resolve problems that may interfere with the delivery of nuclear medicine services by staff members
• Skill in providing complex nuclear medicine patient procedures
• *Ability to develop and initiate new protocols which apply to current research findings
• *Skill in providing administrative reports both orally and in writing with higher level authorities (i.e. - NHPP - TJC - NRC - Inspector General - executive leadership)
• *Ability to interview candidates for positions in the section
• recommend appointments - advancements - or - when appropriate - disciplinary actions
• evaluate performance
• and identify continuing education and training needs
• Preferred Experience: Two (2) years of supervisory experience and contracting/procurement experience
• Cardiac Imaging and Theranostics Reference: VA Handbook 5005/15 Part II - Appendix G19 - Nuclear Medicine Technologist Qualification Standards
• For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12
• Physical Requirements: The physical demand of the work includes heavy lifting - 45 pounds and over
• moderate carrying - 15-44 pounds
• pushing up to 4 hours
• reaching above shoulder
• use of fingers - good dexterity (both hands required)
• prolonged walking - prolonged standing
• repeated bending
• ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20
• ability to distinguish basic colors
• hearing (aid permitted)
• speed in working
• and emotional stability
• Must have the ability to stand and work while wearing a lead apron for long periods of time

Duties

• Duties include but are not limited to: Responsible for supervision of Nuclear Medicine Technologists
• Prepare - assay - and administer radiopharmaceutical doses by injection - inhalation or ingestion as prescribed
• Introduce intravenous catheters in patients for administration of radiopharmaceuticals and/or medications
• Receive patients - explain procedure - answer questions relating to the procedure - position patient for all necessary views and tend to their comfort for the duration of the procedure
• Obtain pertinent clinical data from the patient - electronic chart - requisition - and interviewing the patient and/or family
• Operate nuclear medicine equipment such as gamma cameras - well counters - Geiger-Muller (GM) survey meters - thyroid uptake system - and dose calibrators for various patient procedures as needed
• Perform full range of nuclear medicine diagnostic imaging - non-imaging - and therapeutic procedures - including highly specialized computer assisted studies such as gated cardiac - tomographic and quantitative analysis
• Analyze procedure images for quality
• Obtain additional images when necessary
• Utilize necessary quality management methods of patient identification such as using two unique identifiers and using active rather than passive identification
• Appropriately utilizes the Nuclear Medicine Information System (NMIS)
• Perform radionuclide therapy in collaboration with the Nuclear Medicine Physician
• Receive and assay prescribed therapeutic doses
• Determine exposure patterns and recommend actions to reduce exposure levels to the public - radiation workers and self
• Prepare studies for nuclear medicine physician's interpretation by insuring completeness of all forms involved in the procedure
• Record appropriate data and related information on the proper patient worksheet and images
• Scans all appropriate paperwork into the PACS system
• Perform required technical procedures for safe receipt - handling - transport - usage and disposal of radioactive materials - assuring compliance with NRC - NHPP - DOT and license conditions
• Recognize potential radiation contamination by visual and 3 mechanical methods
• Take necessary actions to minimize contamination and exposure including contacting the Radiopharmacy and Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) if needed
• Assures that all Nuclear Medicine - Medical Center - Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) and Radiation Safety policies are effectively followed
• Participate in research projects involving Nuclear Medicine studies - products - equipment and/or radiopharmaceuticals
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• Instruct Nuclear Medicine students - Radiology students - new technologists - residents and others on techniques - procedures - equipment use - etc
• Identify appropriate waiting time between administration of radiopharmaceutical and imaging according to protocol
• Help other technologists - when necessary - i.e
• difficult or uncooperative patients - heavy workload - etc
• Maintain and encourage an environment of teamwork and a positive workplace
• Interact with representatives from outside agencies such as The Joint Commission (TJC) - NRC - VISN and Veterans Health Administration (VHA) when necessary
• Act as the Contracting Officers Representative (COR) for procurement and contracting in Nuclear Medicine
• Review and certify timecards
• Responsible for collecting and reporting (both verbally and in writing) of quality management data
• Provide annual performance appraisals and semiannual progress reports for Nuclear Medicine staff
• Schedule panel interviews for applicants in Nuclear Medicine
• Request - evaluate and recommend replacement and/or additional nuclear medicine equipment
• Research and review new nuclear medicine protocols when necessary
• Research and respond to patient safety and equipment and material recalls involving nuclear medicine service
• Report findings to management when necessary
• Provide budgetary analysis and projection for the service
• Acknowledge and resolve customer complaints
• Perform other related duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - Full-time - 8:00am - 4:30pm
• This position supports 24/7 operations throughout the calendar year
• Work is typically performed on assigned shift
• however - candidate may be subject to overtime work - shift work - and/or work on rotating shifts to include evenings - weekends - and holidays
• Subject to call back outside tour of duty
• Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized