*This position is Intermittent which means there are NOT set hours or days scheduled on a regular basis.* The technologist serves as a Staff Nuclear Medicine/SPECT/CT and PET/CT Technologist in the VA Loma Linda Nuclear Medicine Service. Responsible for performing a full range of highly specialized, non-routine, and research radionuclide studies to aid in the diagnosis of various organ functional disorders. Performs CT scans as needed with our hybrid integrated SPECT/CT and PET/CT scanners. 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 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. Grade Determinations: Experience: For assignments above the journey level, the candidate must have 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level. Assignments: 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. NMTs in this assignment perform fusion imaging such as PET/CT, SPECT/CT and/or PET/MR procedures that include diagnostic nuclear medicine, CT, and/or MR fused images. Multi-modality technologists must hold appropriate specific certifications in nuclear medicine (NMTCB or ARRT(N)), as well as CT (NMTCB(CT)) or ARRT (CT)), and/or MR (ARRT (MR)) applicable to independently perform the assignment duties. They carry out these complex assignments independently as part of nuclear medicine procedures. Assignments may include injection of contrast and recognition of allergic reaction, contraindications, and medication interactions. 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: The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs: Knowledge of contrast media, side effects, medication allergic reactions, drug interactions, and extravasation assessment. Skill to differentiate multi-modality protocols and adjust protocols according to patient needs, body mass index, or area of interest. Knowledge of unique scanning and processing parameters required of multi-modality imaging. Ability to troubleshoot and make simple repairs to PET/CT and/or PET/MR imaging systems. Ability to care for patients during all stages of the procedure and provide emergency response care when necessary. Knowledge of all contraindications for performing CT and/or MR scans. References: VA Handbook 5005/125 Part II Appendix G19 Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 ["Duties Include but are not limited to: Prepares proper instrument, computer and auxiliary equipment and acquires imaging procedures as indicated by protocol and/or as directed by the Nuclear Medicine Physician. Evaluates image appearance and performs any additional views as required. Obtains samples and/or data for non-imaging lab studies. Calculates and evaluates results of non-imaging studies. Prepares and performs cardiac monitoring and/or assists with stress tests by starting IVs, placing EKG leads, taking blood pressures, ensuring all monitoring equipment is functional. Performs, evaluates, and monitors all required quality control measurements of specialized equipment used in the performance of imaging studies; such as SPECT/CT, and PET/CT imaging systems, etc. Performs all required quality control tests on radiopharmaceutical kits, and assures that the results are within department standards. Troubleshoots and makes a judgment on the acceptable performance of equipment prior to initiating studies on patients. Reports any equipment problems to the Supervisor, the Chief Technologist and/or the Chief of Service, as well as Biomedical Engineering. Operates and maintains auxiliary equipment: such as, EKG gating device, pulse oximeter, glucometer, and hot lab equipment. Reviews the daily work schedule to plan radiopharmaceutical needs. Prepares and dispenses diagnostic and therapeutic radiopharmaceutical dosages. Labels blood components with a radiopharmaceutical per VA policy. Prepares and dispenses adjunctive medication dosages per hospital policy. Follows written directives, Maintains records of quality control procedures, administers doses and other related daily checks as required by NHPP, NRC, TJC, OSHA, VA Regulations and other licensing and regulating bodies. Schedule 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. Inform patient of all pertinent preparations for his/her scan, i.e. NPO, follow certain diet, bowel prep, etc. Communicates effectively with patient, family, and staff. Provides safe and sanitary conditions. Recognizes and responds to emergency conditions. Help to develop protocols for new tests/procedures and helps to review protocols annually (non research studies). Prepares patients for procedures. Obtains pertinent patient history and checks procedural contraindications. Selects and administers the appropriate radiopharmaceutical by the proper route. Identifies and properly documents a medical event and recommends measures to prevent further occurrences. Performs and processes routine PET/CT studies following the performance, evaluation and troubleshooting of quality control procedures on the system. Performs and processes routine and non routine protocols for PET/CT studies; including image merge/fusion. When using the CT portion of the hybrid scanners, reduces CT exposure protocols to minimize the radiation dose to each patient. CT can be utilized for performing diagnostic CT scans with contrast or used to localize focal areas noted on the SPECT or PET exam. Performs radiation safety duties associated with the radiopharmacy/hot lab. Post appropriate signs in designated areas to comply with NRC regulations. Surveys, inspects and inventories incoming radioactive materials. Reviews radioactive materials packages to determine if it is properly packaged and takes appropriate actions. Utilizes proper methods for the use and storage of radioactive materials. Monitors and disposes of radioactive waste. Prepares & packages radioactive materials for transportation. Correctly administer radioactive pharmaceuticals and adjunctive medications to patients. Utilizes necessary quality management methods of patient identification such as using two unique identifiers and using active rather than passive identification. Performs wipe tests and area radiation surveys. Uses proper procedures for managing emergency surveys in the event of a radiation accident, radioactive spill, or contamination by performing the proper clean up, surveying and monitoring of the area. Analyzes circumstances contributing to radiation exposure and to recommend procedures to minimize exposure. Provides instruction on proper radiation emergency procedures, and follows the reporting procedures for radiation spills or adverse events per NRC; NHPP and Loma Linda VA policies. As part of radiation safety duties the technologist instructs the patient, family and staff in radiation safety precautions after the administration of therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals. Work Schedule: Intermittent Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
About Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
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.
