Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist carries out their assigned tasks independently in all areas of radiation therapy using advanced knowledge in all areas of radiation therapy specialties. 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)). English Language Proficiency. TRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English. See 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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: Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist, GS-10 Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled. Assignments. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity, range of variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Employees at this level serve as advanced staff TRTs independently carrying out procedures which have varying assignments. This includes basic and advanced treatment modalities and procedures, which exceed the full performance level. Employee will be assigned the responsibility of emergency on-call treatments, if applicable, and perform simple Monitor Unit calculations. Other assignments include but, are not limited to performing CT simulations, troubleshooting for basic problems and machine issues, maintaining treatment rooms and equipment in a clean, neat and safe condition and assisting patients to and from the treatment room. Regardless of the nature of the specific assignment, the work must be of sufficient scope and complexity to meet the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform at this level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate all the KSAs below: (a)Skill in independently performing machine warm up procedures and interpreting output levels compared with established thresholds adhering to the principles of radiation safety and all aspects of quality assurance. (b)Ability to independently perform patient chart reviews using an electronic medical record and the Record and Verify System or other similar treatment delivery systems. (c)Ability to independently perform all basic and complex CT simulations, including independently operating the CT equipment, following directives, designing custom immobilization for reproducible set-ups, obtaining optimal imaging, completing accurate data transfer for treatment planning and providing accurate and precise patient documentation. (d)Ability to utilize a Linac's On Board Imaging system to interpret complex images. Preferred Experience: At least 5 years of Experience Cyberknife Truebeam Tomo/Radixact ARIA References: VA Handbook 5005/137 Part II Appendix G26 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-10. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-10. Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting bending, pulling, and pushing. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are comative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on Veterans needs. ["Duties to include but no limited to: Schedules treatments to optimize accelerator times while maintaining flexibility for emergency cases. Performs quality control of the treatment machines using the dosimetry verification and record system for each energy level. Performs daily imaging procedures to ensure correct operations. Identifies individual patient by the required identification methods before simulation and each daily radiation treatmentis delivered. Has the knowledge of consultations, simulation, treatment planning, and treatmentprocedures. Ability to determine the appropriate timely sequence for patient studies and any specialorders required. Verifies patient consent prior to initiating CT simulation. Prepares required contrast materials that are to be used for treatment simulations. Must be able to communicate orally exam preparations/special orders to patients and hospital staff. Ability to recognize abnormalities in relevant lab procedures and notifies appropriate staff. Properly operates CT simulator, provides reproducible patient treatment position set-ups that can be accurately used for daily treatments on the Linear Accelerator. Provides custom patient immobilization devices as instructed or departmental protocol. After CT scan is acquired and isocenter or reference point is obtained, the therapist willprovide set- up DDR's for use in treatment planning and transfer the data set to the dosimetry treatment planning system. Understands the computer operations to ensure proper control of computer patient datainput to ensure accuracy of data output and of complex computer applications relating totreatment planning. Verifies patient's treatment area daily in the treatment machine vault. Performs simulation verification before prescribed treatment. Obtains isocenter verification, treatment field verification of conformal blocking, withmulti-leaf collimator, or cerro-bend blocking. Obtains isocenter verification as needed by the use to cone beam CT and or the use of theon-board imaging (OBI) system. Utilizes electronic radiation treatment chart for set-up instructions, field size, fieldshaping, SSD, field compensators, and beam restrictions. Employs any necessary accessory beam restriction devices, i.e., wedges, bolus, collimatorangles, or cerro bend blocks for fields to be treated. Verifies correct multi-leaf collimation and electronic dynamic wedges. Delivers prescribed mode of treatment in accordance with prescribed radiation prescription. This included convention, 3-D conformal, electron delivery, IMRT treatment delivery, IGRT treatment delivery, and Rapid Arc treatment delivery. Follows departmental procedures for electronic charting and coding utilizing ARIA and CPRS. Routinely takes port/verification films on patients under radiation treatment, to maintain record of treatment accuracy in accordance to departmental procedures, checks and verifies any changes in accordance with the physician's request. Practices radiation safety in order to reduce exposure to patients, staff, and self. Has knowledge of types, characteristics, and proper use of personal monitoring devices. Assists patients to and from the treatment room, as well as in transferring on and off the treatment table as necessary. Maintains adequate supplies in the department, treatment vault and workstations. Maintains treatment rooms and equipment in a clean, neat, and safe condition at all times, as well as ensures appropriate supply availability. Maintains a safe and clean environment. Notifies physics staff of equipment issues and follows instruction. Reports all environmental and/or equipment issues using the computerized work order systemreporting to the Bio Med. Works professionally with all team members of the radiation therapy team to effectivelyand efficiently accomplish the goals of the radiation therapy team. Ability to work as a contributing and cooperative part of the radiation oncology team,communicating and interacting with all team members in a tactful, respectful and professional manner. Continually keeping current with new developments in the field of radiation therapy and being able to utilize the new technologies available and be properly trained. Follows established safety practices. Knowledge of ACR regulations. Participates in reviewing, revising or authorizing policies and procedures as needed orassigned. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm 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 Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
