Clarification from the agency

U.S. Citizens If you are a current, permanent VA employee please apply to job announcement: CBSR-12495739-24-MM

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Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Enters irregular fields, patient contours and other vital beam data into a treatment planning computer in a timely and accurate manner.
• Enters approved treatment fields into the record and verify system, assuring that all patient data is correctly input and transferred to treatment machine for treatment of patient.
• Accurately computes radiation dose to individual ports, tumors, spine and other necessary body structures to ensure quality treatment to patients, and safety to tissue tolerance.
• Conscientiously maintains awareness of dose - tissue tolerance.
• Drafts one or several isocentric plans, as required with emphasis on quality of dose distribution, using dosimetric knowledge and often creativity.
• Submits plan choices to appropriate physician to aid in determining best treatment method for specific patient tumors on an individual basis.
• Maintains record of upcoming oblique boost, so that they may be readied within prescribed practice and professional competency.
• Notations on simulation films for proper block mounting are submitted to mould room within appropriate time frame.
• Accurately prepares treatment charts prior to first treatment, and with method of treatment to be used.
• Indicates vital factors necessary for correct patient treatment; such as boosts, cord block, wedges, and other various treatment aids.
• Accurately diagrams patient set-up when necessary to assure treatment method may be easily understood by the therapists administering the treatments.
• Records final dose of all treatment areas with accuracy.
• Performs weekly chart checks of patient dose and chart radiation therapy review in the absence of the Physicist.
• Assists CT scan technologists in a competent and courteous manner and instructs them as needed.
• Ensures CT scans are promptly delivered to dosimetry for image formatting to assure smooth patient flow.
• Works with Radiation Oncologists, Therapists, Department Nurse, and Clerical staff, as a member of the radiation therapy team.
• Follows established safety practices and reports to supervisor as promptly as possible, unsafe conditions, unsafe practices or any occupational illness or injury sustained. Adheres to all safety and health standards, regulations, work practices and uses proper protective equipment as required.
• Assists oncologist in brachytherapy procedures and maintains sterile techniques.
• Design a treatment plan by means of computer and/or manual computation to determine a treatment field technique that will deliver the radiation dose prescribed by the Radiation Oncologist.
• Takes into consideration dose-limiting structures when designing treatment plans. These structures could include the eye when treating the brain, the heart when treating the lung, or the spinal cord when it is included in the area of treatment.
• Executes planning for intracavitary and interstitial brachytherapy procedures.
• Supervise, perform, or assist in the process of producing moulds, casts, and other immobilization devices for accurate treatment delivery.
• Work with the radiation therapists in the implementation of the patient treatment plans including: the correct application of immobilization devices, beam modification devices, approved field arrangements, and other treatment variables.
• Using imaging modalities to create conventional or IMRT treatment plans that enable us to give higher doses of radiation to a tumor while lowering the doses to the sensitive structures around it.
• Perform calculations for the accurate delivery of the Radiation Oncologist's prescribed dose, documents pertinent information in the patient record, and verifies the mathematical accuracy of all calculations using a system established by the Medical Physicist.
• Perform, or assist in, the application of specific methods of radiation measurement.
• Provide technical and physics support; this support could be in radiation protection, qualitative machine calibrations, and quality assurance of the radiation oncology equipment.
• Assist in the clinical education of radiation oncology residents, radiation therapy students or medical dosimetry students.
• Understand the technical aspects of radiation oncology and medical physics to meticulously derive computerized treatment plans and then communicate these aspects to the Radiation Oncologist for plan approval and to the Radiation Therapist for plan implementation.
• Perform routine duties independent of supervision
• Operate and perform quality assurance on the treatment planning system.
• Interpret and execute treatment plans as defined in relevant treatment protocols.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 93102-A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not 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 examination.
• 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

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.
• English Language Proficiency: TRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part.
• Education: Completion of a medical dosimetry program of at least 12 months long accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) and a baccalaureate degree is required.
• Certification: All applicants must be certified in medical dosimetry by the Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board (MDCB). Certified Medical Dosimetry (CMD) is the recognized credential for Medical Dosimetrists. NOTE: CMDs who perform therapeutic radiologic technologist duties must also possess American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT) (T) certification and be assigned to a functional statement that combines both types of work.

NOTE: Public Law 97-35 requires persons who administer Therapeutic Radiological 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 U.S. Department of Education or be a radiation therapist certified in medical dosimetry.
Loss of Credential: Once certified, Medical Dosimetrists must maintain an active, current, full and unrestricted certification to independently practice medical dosimetry. Loss of licensure will result in removal from the GS-0648 Medical Dosimetrist occupation and may result in termination of employment.


Grade Determinations: Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist, GS12
Experience: At this level, candidates must possess at least one year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-11) level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level and must fully meet the KSAs at that level.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: In addition to the above experience, candidates must demonstrate the following KSA's:

1. Skill at effective communication and leadership as demonstrated by providing orientation and training for staff, providing input for yearly appraisals, directing progress and coordination of workload, ensuring compliance with standard operating procedures and directives to provide continuity of care.
2. Skill in providing guidance and expertise related to all aspects of the treatment planning process.
3. Ability to resolve complex physical and geometric errors of the radiation equipment, simulation procedure and treatment delivery implementation.
4. Knowledge of the care and use of radioactive resources for implementation and treatment delivery.
5. Skill to independently perform complex treatment procedures as evidenced by completing tasks such as developing and troubleshooting highly complex isodose treatment plans delineating critical structures and tumor volumes, performing weekly chart checks, performing QA verifications and providing training on all aspects of the Record and Verify system such as Mosaiq or Aria.
6. Ability to follow protocols including, but not limited to developing and implementing policies and standard operating procedures, participating in research programs and ensuring compliance with radiation safety office, national program office, accrediting agencies and follow established quality standard measures.
7. Ability to perform the application of a broad range of specific methods of radiation measurements including, but not limited to, diode, ion chamber, thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD), or film measurement as directed by a qualified Medical Physicist and perform or assist with the QA procedures as directed by a qualified Medical Physicist.

References: VA Handbook 5005/15 Part II, Appendix G66. January 15, 2021

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12

Physical Requirements: The work requires long periods of standing and walking. There is some bending and carrying of moderately heavy articles such as film cassettes, treatment devices, and molds with heavier lifting of wedges and specially designed shielding blocks. Patients often are assisted to achieve proper positioning, which may require reaching, lifting, or working in strained positions. The deterioration of the patient due to disease progression often requires lifting of the patient from stretchers or wheelchairs to treatment and examination tables utilizing special techniques designed to minimize the discomfort of the patient. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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.