Career Center

Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist The position is located in the Radiology Oncology Service, which is a division of Surgery/Specialty service line at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center. The Therapeutic Radiation Technologist is responsible for the delivery of radiation treatments to patients with a wide variety of malignant diagnoses. He/she will operate complex equipment in the setup and simulation of patient treatment 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: 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: All applicants must be certified in therapeutic radiologic technology by the ARRT in Radiation Therapy (ARRT (T)). Exception: (a) Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for TRT certification may be given a temporary appointment under 38 U.S.C. § 7405 (a)(1)(B) for up to one year at the entry level only as a graduate TRT under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405 (c)(2)(B). (b) Graduate TRTs may only be appointed at the entry grade level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained. (c) Temporary graduate TRT appointments may not be extended beyond one year or converted to a new temporary appointment. (d) Failure to Obtain Certification. In all cases, TRTs must actively pursue meeting the requirements for certification starting from the date of their appointment. Failure to become certified within one year from the date of appointment will result in removal from the GS-0648 TRT series and may result in termination of employment. English Language Proficiency: TRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English. Grade Determinations: Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist, GS-6 Experience. None above the basic requirements. Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist, GS-7 Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-6, directly related to the position being filled. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate all the KSAs below: (a) Knowledge to set-up the treatment room to deliver basic and some complex radiation treatments on a linear accelerator, as prescribed by the radiation oncologist. (b) Knowledge of machine warm up procedures for interpreting output levels compared with established thresholds and radiation safety principles. (c) Ability to perform patient chart reviews using an electronic medical record and using the Record and Verify System or other similar treatment delivery systems. (d) Knowledge of operating computed tomography (CT) Simulator to preform simulations that is demonstrated by following directives, designing custom immobilization for reproducible set-ups, obtaining optimal imaging, and completing accurate and precise patient documentation. (e) Skill in communicating all aspects of patient care with the radiation oncology team. (f) Knowledge of utilizing an on-board imaging system (i.e., Linac's or comparable system) to interpret the images. (g) Skill in performing radiation safety practices including when to report discrepancies and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, quality standards, accrediting agencies, policies and department standard operating procedures. Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist, GS-8 Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-7, that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities/core competencies described at that level. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate all the KSAs below: (a) Skill in setting up the treatment room to deliver basic and some complex radiation treatments on a linear accelerator, as prescribed by the radiation oncologist. (b) Ability to perform machine warm up procedures and interpret output levels compared with established thresholds and radiation safety principles. (c) Ability to perform moderately complex patient chart reviews by using the electronic medical record and the Record and Verify System or other similar treatment delivery systems. (d) Ability to operate the CT Simulator to perform simulations, design custom immobilization for reproducible set-ups, obtain optimal imaging and provide accurate and precise patient documentation. Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist, GS-9 Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-8, directly related to the position being filled. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate all the KSAs below: (a) Skill in independently setting up the patient in preparation for basic and complex radiation treatments on a linear accelerator, as prescribed by the radiation oncologist. (b) Skill in independently performing machine warm-up procedures to interpret output levels compared with established thresholds adhering to the principles of radiation safety and all aspects of quality assurance. (c) Skill to independently perform patient chart reviews and effectively document records utilizing an electronic medical records system and the Record and Verify System or other similar treatment delivery systems. Preferred Experience: Prefer experience with: True beam linear accelerator; Computerized tomography simulation; Aria record and verify computer system References: VA Handbook 5005/137, Part II, Appendix G26 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-6 to GS-9. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting, moderate carrying, both hands required, walking, and standing ["Duties include, but are not limited to: Serves as a member of the simulation team, which collects specific patient anatomical and tumor site data and coordinates that data with the physician's radiation therapy prescription and any treatment plans that have been previously prepared Must have an operational knowledge of linear accelerators, simulators and treatment planning computers. Responsible for the correct implementation of the finished and accepted treatment plan and must ensure that correct values for monitor units; distance, energy, field size, and other vital treatment factors are utilized Participates in radiation therapy treatment protocols and other research studies. Some of these studies are designed to determine the most feasible effective and least encumbered manner of treatment for a specific disease or anatomic Coordinates treatment simulations and tumor localization on dedicated devises, including CT, MRI, and PET when indicated, for radiation oncology treatment .Protects untreated anatomical areas utilizing blocking techniques developed during the planning process. Coordinates with the medical dosimetrist in the implementation of the treatment plan including the correct use of immobilization devices, compensators, wedges, field arrangement, and other treatment immobilization devices. Checks patient charts prior to radiation treatments as well as performs quality assurance weekly for completeness and accuracy. Performs quality assurance on the machines and equipment that deliver radiation treatments. Attends weekly department QA meetings and monthly staff meetings. Develops, implements and monitors quality improvement and quality control agendas for Radiation Oncology treatment programs. Responsible for the orientation of entry-level Therapeutic Radiation Technologists, including review of their work until competencies are fully validated. Participates in the selection of new therapists. Serves as a resource to lower level technologists Participate in the education of radiation therapy and radiology students as preceptors and mentors. Responsible for completing a student evaluation. Leads and/or participates in the development of Radiation Oncology policies and procedures. Collaborate with the Chief, Radiation Oncology and the dosimetrists in establishing the daily schedule. Assumes accountability within their scope of practice for assuring that the clinic practices and procedures are compliant with all regulatory requirements. Maintains strict patient confidentiality and protects patients' privacy Monitors essential supply levels and requests replacements in a timely way Takes emergency call in rotation with other therapist staff Work Schedule: Full-time; Monday - Friday, 7:30 am - 4:00 pm\nTelework: Not available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 000000\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]