Nuclear Medicine Technologist

Overview

The Albany VA Medical Center's Diagnostic Imaging Department is currently recruiting for one Nuclear Medicine Technologist. The incumbent performs a wide variety of functional imaging and non-imaging radionuclide studies - requiring the administration of radiopharmaceuticals and the use of specialized equipment. The work requires a professional knowledge of the field of Nuclear Medicine technology and various aspects that relate to Nuclear Medicine and radiation safety.

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship
• Be a citizen of the United States
• 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
• Individual Occupational Requirements Basic Requirements Education Bachelor’s or graduate/higher level degree: major study in an academic field related to the medical field - health sciences or allied sciences appropriate to the work of the position
• This degree must be from an educational program from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education(external link) at the time the degree was obtained
• Grade Determinations:
  Nuclear Medicine Technologist GS-11
• 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 at this level serve in advanced assignments and will have varying assignments - including special and complex imaging procedures - advanced therapies - clinical instruction - and quality management duties within the program
• Advanced therapies may include - but are not limited to - yttrium-90 - radium - and palliative bone pain therapy
• 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
• (c) Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs: i
• Ability to produce and assess high quality scans and quality control images using independent judgement to recognize abnormal or unacceptable results
• ii
• Knowledge and skill in use of ancillary equipment with an understanding of how the results will affect the study outcome
• iii
• Knowledge of physiologic processes as they relate to altered radiopharmaceutical uptake and/or artefactual findings
• iv
• Ability to obtain - assess - and document pre-therapy patient preparation information and provide post-therapy patient education following proper administration of advanced therapy dose
• v
• Ability to develop new protocols for imaging procedures
• vi
• Ability to analyze instances of increased radiation exposure levels and recommend measures to reduce
• vii
• Ability to analyze consequences of improper packaging of radioactive material and take appropriate actions
• English Language Proficiency
• Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2 - section D - paragraph 5a - of this part
• References: VA Handbook 5005/125 Part II Appendix G
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-11
• Physical Requirements:
  
  See VA Directive and Handbook 5019

• Duties and Responsibilities Independently performs routine and complex diagnostic imaging procedures including static - dynamic - whole body - and SPECT scans
• Prepares and administers radiopharmaceuticals by injection - by inhalation - or orally - taking into account precautions relative to radiation hazard - sterility - and radio chemical purity
• Calculates volume and amount of activity following protocols approved by Chief of Nuclear Medicine
• Has working knowledge of the procedure manual protocols but can independently create new or modify existing imaging protocols as required by the…