Clarification from the agency

The area of consideration will be referred in the following order: 1. Current permanent Other Federal Agency employees 2. Veterans 3. Public - US Citizen

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Specialized areas of therapeutic radiologic technology include therapeutic radiologic treatments, simulation, mold room, treatment planning, medical dosimetry, total body irradiation as well as brachytherapy procedures.

Functions/Scope of Assigned Duties:

• Performs procedures for consultation, simulation, treatment planning and delivery.
• Maintains detailed and accurate daily records of treatment.
• Schedules treatments such that linear accelerator times are optimized while still leaving some flexibility for emergency treatment times.
• Delivers prescribed therapeutic radiation.
• Sets up to tattoos provided by CT simulation team.
• Takes SSD readings and obtains isocenter verification films.
• Photographs each treatment field.
• Performs port film imaging.
• Documents all changes in patients' chart and observes condition.
• Able to recognize the need for emotional and psychosocial support.
• Refer patients to departmental staff and other health care professionals.
• Reinforces radiation oncologist's recommendations.
• Performs quality control measurements.
• Communicates with medical staff on other floors/units for quality patient care.
• Practices radiation safety protocols.
• Performs daylight film processor procedures and ensures the processor is operating optimally.
• Maintains treatment rooms and equipment.
• Notifies supervisor/physics staff of equipment issues.
• Notifies physician if this will impact patient care and/or treatment. Performs irregular hour's emergency treatments during the clinics off hours. The therapist on call must be available to arrive within two hours of notification.
• Works with Radiation Oncologists, Dosimetrists, nursing and clerical staff plus fellow radiation therapists.
• Continually keeps current with new developments.
• Keeps current on all VA required courses and training for all equipment.
• Keeps current on treatment machine characteristics.
• Provides patient with accurate and compassionate treatment.
• Follows established safety practices and reports to facility director or administrative service manager as promptly as possible if issues arise.
• Adheres to all safety and health standards regulations, work practices, and uses proper protective equipment.
• Participates in reviewing, revising or authoring policies and procedures that need attention.
• Ability to operate and perform Quality Assurance on linear accelerators, XVI and iView. Uses iView and XVI equipment to monitor patients' positioning and make appropriate shifts if necessary. Informs physicians of any problems.
• Performs daily Quality Assurance on CT Simulation and properly operates CT simulation equipment.
• Assists radiation oncologists in patient positioning, radiation treatment field localization and simulation procedures.
• Accurately transfers radiographic images.
• Consults with the physician and dosimetrist to develop standard and non-standard treatment/exam protocols.
• Describes the simulation procedures to the patient.
• Instructs patients and other hospital staff about exam preparations and special orders.
• Fabricates custom devices.
• Uses knowledge of disease processes, co-morbid conditions and other factors relating to individual patients in selecting appropriate positioning devices.
• Applies temporary and permanent marks to patient's skin to facilitate reproducing original setup.
• Schedules return appointments.
• Completes treatment chart. Ensures DRR's are available for filming on patient's return and provides to therapy staff.
• Permanently tattoos final treatment isocenter.
• Checks for complete chart.
• Advanced Treatment Delivery Modalities
  • Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)
  • Imaged Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT)
  • Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT)
  • Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT)
  • Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS)
  • Stereotactic Radiotherapy (SRT)
  • High Dose Rate Brachytherapy (HDR)
  • Low Dose Rate Brachytherapy (LDR)
  • 4D Simulation
  • Gated Radiation Therapy
  • Deep Inspiration Breath Hold (DIBH)
  • Optical Surface Imaging System (OSIS)
• Brachytherapy
  • Functions as a part of the physics team.
  • Trained and privileged as an authorized radioactive seed handler.
  • Knowledge of the procedure.
  • Knowledge of Radiation Oncology Department Radioisotopes possession limits.
  • Uses proper personal monitoring devices.
  • Knowledge of different types of radioactive sources.
  • Preps the patient.

Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday, 8am to 4:30pm
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Functional Statement #: 000000
Recruitment Incentive: May be authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

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.
• English Language Proficiency: TRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English. See 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
• 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)).
  • Loss of Certification: Once certified, a TRT who fails to maintain the required certification must be removed from the occupation, which may result in termination of employment.

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.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Candidates must demonstrate all the KSAs below:

1. 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.
2. Ability to independently perform patient chart reviews using an electronic medical record and the Record and Verify System or other similar treatment delivery systems.
3. 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.
4. Ability to utilize a Linac's On Board Imaging system to interpret complex images.

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.

References: VA Handbook 5005/137 Part II Appendix G26

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-10.

Physical Requirements: This work requires light lifting (under 15lbs), use of fingers, both hands required, walking, standing, repeated bending, ability to distinguish basic colors, hearing (aid may be permitted), mental and emotional stability, and visual acuity 20/30 corrected. Environmental factors are working in excessive noise (intermittent), working closely with others, and working alone.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.