This (1) Nuclear Medicine Technologist position is located at the Cheyenne VA Health Care System in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Nuclear Medicine Technologists have the responsibility for providing a wide range of specialized nuclear medicine procedures, including diagnostic imaging, radioassay, evaluating abnormal results, using and maintaining equipment; setting up and monitoring quality control; working with guidelines from the NRC, DOT, National Health Physics Program, OSHA and among others. 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. 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: Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j. Grade Determinations GS-09 Nuclear Medicine Technologist (NMT): Experience: Completion of one (1) year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position to be filled (i.e., experience that demonstrates possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics needed to provide nuclear medicine technology services at that level) is required. AND Demonstrate Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities - In addition to meeting the Basic and Experience Requirements, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Ability to document excessive radiation exposure in the working environment. Knowledge of medical events requiring documentation and the ability to properly document them and make recommendations to the radiation safety officer (RSO). Ability to communicate orally and in writing post iodine-131 therapy radiation safety precautions. Ability to troubleshoot gamma camera and auxiliary equipment problems. Ability to analyze computer generated data for technical quality and artifacts and initiate corrective measures. Assignments at this grade level - Candidates at this grade level serve as staff NMTs at the journey level. NMTs at this level have a full understanding of proper methods of receipt, use, storage, and disposal of radioactive material; properly and independently handle unusual circumstances; perform and evaluate daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly quality control on all imaging and non-imaging instrumentation and auxiliary equipment, provide basic patient care, and can recognize and respond to emergency conditions. It is expected that they routinely and independently perform the full scope and complexity of these responsibilities and receive guidance from higher-level or supervisory staff members for only the most complex patients. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G19, [Nuclear Medicine Technologist VA Qualification Standards. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09. Physical Requirements: Able to meet the physical demands for the position, Bending, pushing, pulling, reaching and occasional kneeling, crawling and squatting; lifting, carrying, bending, and manipulation of equipment; patient assistance and positioning; walking and prolonged standing; the ability to read written orders, computer screens, patient records, and equipment controls; and the ability to communicate with patients, physicians, and coworkers. Near visual acuity to assess patient's physical condition when performing exams and evaluating images for diagnostic quality. Must be able to speak and hear to communicate with patients; ability to make critical decisions, interact with patients of different ages and health conditions, maintain patient confidentiality, work under stressful conditions, such as operating or emergency rooms. ["Prepare, assay, and administer radiopharmaceutical doses by injection, inhalation or ingestion as prescribed. Proficient in introducing intravenous catheters in patients for administration of radiopharmaceuticals and/ or medications. Knowledgeable regarding possible side effects of radiopharmaceuticals and other medications, such as lasix and captopril, to be administered. Take immediate action to remedy any noted effects. 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, GM survey meters, thyroid uptake system, and dose calibrators for various patient procedures. Perform a full range of nuclear medicine diagnostic imaging, non-imaging, in-vitro and therapeutic procedures, including highly specialized computer assisted studies such as gated, tomographic, quantitative procedures. Keep up to date with new imaging agents, procedures, and methods. Write imaging protocols for use in department. Analyze procedure images for quality. Obtain additional images when necessary. Be knowledgeable in three-dimensional anatomy. Correctly administer radioactive pharmaceuticals to patients. Utilizes necessary quality management methods of patient identification such as using two unique identifiers and using active rather than passive identification. Fill out appropriate forms and administer dose with the nuclear medicine physician. Instruct patient, family and nursing staff in radiation safety precautions. Perform radiation surveys, post appropriate caution signs, and distribute personnel monitoring devices as required. Properly monitor and store any radioactive waste for disposal. Demonstrate a thorough understanding of personnel requiring film badges. Read and understand the film badge exposure report. Determine exposure patterns and recommend actions to reduce exposure levels to 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. Ensure proper billing and workload information by using accurate CPT, codes for each patient study. 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. Perform required technical procedures for safe receipt, handling, transport, usage and disposal of radioactive materials, assuring compliance with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), National Health Physics Program (NHPP). Department of Transportation (DOT) and license conditions. Understand different precautions used based upon the various package types. Understand, utilize and practice the concepts of ALARA by maintaining radiation exposures as low as reasonably achievable. Assure that all Nuclear Medicine, Medical Center, VISN and Radiation Safety policies are effectively followed. Participate in research projects involving Nuclear Medicine studies, products, equipment and/ or radiopharmaceuticals. Instruct Nuclear Medicine students, Radiology students, new technologists, residents and others on techniques, procedures, equipment use, etc. Maintain a neat and clean work area, including desks and countertops. Ensure that imaging, computer, hot lab and injection areas are properly supplied/stocked and operational before each use. Assist in maintaining inventory of supplies and notify supervisor of low level of supplies in a timely manner. Help other technologists when necessary, i.e. difficult or uncooperative patient, heavy workload, etc. Maintain and encourage an environment of teamwork and a positive workplace. Interact with representatives from outside agencies such as JCAHO, NRC, VISN and VHA when necessary. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 442-56092-O, Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
