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The Medical Dosimetrist/Certified Medical Dosimetrist is a member of the radiation oncology team who has knowledge of the overall characteristics and clinical relevance of radiation oncology treatment and planning equipment, is cognizant of procedures commonly used in brachytherapyand has extensive education and expertise necessary to generate advanced radiation dose distributions (2D/3D and IMRT) and dose calculations. This is an open continuous announcement and applications submitted prior to 04/14/2022 will be pulled and rated for referral. Further ratings will occur every two weeks thereafter until position is filled. Once a selection has been made, no further candidates will be rated/referred unless further vacancies occur. This announcement may be canceled at any time. 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. Education. Completion of a medical dosimetry program of at least 12 months long accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) and a baccalaureate degree is required. JRCERT is the accrediting agency for the medical dosimetry programs recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Certification. All applicants must be certified in medical dosimetry by the Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board (MDCB). Certified Medical Dosimetry (CMD) is the recognized credential for Medical Dosimetrists. NOTE: CMDs who perform therapeutic radiologic technologist duties must also possess American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT) (T) certification and be assigned to a functional statement that combines both types of work. NOTE: Public Law 97-35 requires persons who administer Therapeutic Radiological 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 U.S. Department of Education or be a radiation therapist certified in medical dosimetry. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service. English Language Proficiency. Medical Dosimetrists must be proficient in spoken and written English. See 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). GRADE REQUIREMENTS Creditable Experience: Knowledge of Current Dosimetry Practices. To be creditable, the experience must have demonstrated the knowledge, skills and abilities associated with current medical dosimetry practice. Experience satisfying this requirement must be active professional practice at the post-certification level, which may be paid/non-paid employment, as a Medical Dosimetrist. Quality of Experience. Experience is only creditable if it is post certification experience as a certified Medical Dosimetrist directly related to the position to be filled. Experience as a graduate Medical Dosimetrist is creditable provided the candidate functioned as an entry level Medical Dosimetrist with continual oversight and subsequently passed the certification examination. Qualifying experience must be at a level comparable to Medical Dosimetrist experience at the next lower grade level. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, administrative independence, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety as described in this standard at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Part-Time Experience. Part-time experience as a Medical Dosimetrist is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweek. For example, a Medical Dosimetrist employed 20 hours a week, or on a 1/2-time basis, receives one full-time workweek of credit for each two weeks of service. Practicum in a VA Setting. VHA practicum experience may not be substituted for experience, as the practicum (field placement) is completed prior to graduation with a bachelor's degree in medical dosimetry or a related field. Grade Determinations: GS-12 Experience At this level, candidates must possess at least one year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11) that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level and must fully meet the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) at that level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate ALL of the following technical KSAs: Skill at effective communication and leadership as demonstrated by providing orientation and training for staff, providing input for yearly appraisals, directing progress and coordination of workload, ensuring compliance with standard operating procedures and directives to provide continuity of care. Skill in providing guidance and expertise related to all aspects of the treatment planning process. Ability to resolve complex physical and geometric errors of the radiation equipment, simulation procedure and treatment delivery implementation. Knowledge of the care and use of radioactive resources for implementation and treatment delivery. Skill to independently perform complex treatment procedures as evidenced by completing tasks such as developing and troubleshooting highly complex isodose treatment plans delineating critical structures and tumor volumes, performing weekly chart checks, performing QA verifications and providing training on all aspects of the Record and Verify system such as Mosaiq or Aria. Ability to follow protocols including, but not limited to developing and implementing policies and standard operating procedures, participating in research programs and ensuring compliance with radiation safety office, national program office, accrediting agencies and follow established quality standard measures. Ability to perform the application of a broad range of specific methods of radiation measurements including, but not limited to, diode, ionchamber, thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD), or film measurement as directed by a qualified Medical Physicist and perform or assist with the QA procedures as directed by a qualified Medical Physicist. References: VA HANDBOOOK 5005/138, PART II, APPENDIX G66. THERAPEUTIC RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGIST (DOSIMETRIST) QUALIFICATION STANDARD, GS-0648, Veterans Health Administration dated January 15, 2021. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: The work requires long periods of standing and walking. There is some bending and carrying of moderately heavy articles such as film cassettes, treatment devices, and molds with heavier lifting of wedges and specially designed shielding blocks. Patients often are assisted to achieve proper positioning, which may require reaching, lifting, or working in strained positions. The deterioration of the patient due to disease progression often requires lifting of the patient from stretchers or wheelchairs to treatment and examination tables utilizing special techniques designed to minimize the discomfort of the patient. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. ["The recognition of critical structures, beams at different energy levels, the behavior of numerous tumors, the tolerance level of radiation in the different regions of the human body, and the ability to independently generate multiple treatment plans utilizing various combinations of wedges, boluses, and blocking techniques are critical to this position. Major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: Schedules, plans, and organizes work for the radiation treatment of patients using applicable VA directives, service policies and protocols, training, and accepted professional standards. Coordinates emergency patient treatments with Radiation Oncologists Calculates the number of treatment deliveries and/or monitor units for all new patients requiring radiation therapy. Understands expected values for dose/monitor units results and consults with the medical physicist should any monitor unit values that appear to be out of range. Under the guidance of the Radiation Oncologist and Medical physicist, develops complex treatment plans using various dose calculating software packages utilized by the service. Conscientiously maintains awareness of dose-tissue tolerance. Drafts one or several isocentric plans, as required, with emphasis on quality of dose distribution, using dosimetric knowledge and often creativity. Submits plan choices to appropriate physician to aid in determining best treatment method for specific patient tumors on an individual basis. Correctly transfers treatment parameters from simulation worksheet and calculated treatment plan into the computerized daily treatment record of patients. Appropriately indicates the dosimetry and treatment planning charges for services provided to patients. Initiates complex treatment planning utilizing the most up to date technology available including 3D conformal and IMRT techniques. Maintains with accuracy all therapy records, charts, files, calibration records, and treatment planning records necessary for compliance with Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), VA National Health Physics Program (NHPP), and other federal regulations. Documents all parameters involved with each patient including daily and accumulated doses, field size, beam modifiers, beam direction, and machine used in the delivery of radiation treatment. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm\nTelework: Not available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nPosition Title/Functional Statement #:Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist (Dosimetrist)/PD000000Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]