Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to all US Citizens. Veteran's preference will apply. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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This specialty modality requires specific knowledge and expert specialization in complex areas of Nuclear Medicine. These technologists are heavily relied upon by interpreting physicians and radiologists orders to provide diagnostic aid by conducting appropriate organ or body scans during complex procedures, administer and record radiopharmaceuticals in accordance with protocols and report any abnormal activity. The technologist also performs a broad spectrum of quality control and radiation safety measures, and document the data required to maintain compliance with the statutes and regulations mandated for a Nuclear Medicine Program.

Duties include but not limited to:

• Accurately operates a wide variety of imaging equipment to obtain examinations of acceptable quality, utilizing the least amount of radiation to obtain quality images that meet established protocols.
• Performs required procedures for safe receipt, handling, transport, usage, storage and disposal of radioactive materials compliant with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), National Health Physics Program (NHPP), Department of Transportation (DOT) and license conditions. Apply knowledge of specific precautions to different various types of packaging and contents.
• Technologists recognize potential radiation contamination of packages and environment by visual and mechanical methods. Take necessary actions to minimize radiation contamination, and radiation exposure to self, public and coworkers. Contact the Radiopharmacy and Radiation Safety Officer for clarification and guidance as needed.
• Perform daily laboratory surveys; wipe tests and bioassays. Recognize evidence of contamination and implement containment and mitigation protocols.
• Calibrate and perform quality control on the PET/CT system, dose calibrators, well counter and other equipment and instruments. Adjust and maintain instruments, verify correct operation using established procedures and quality control standards. Identify deviations from specifications, and document corrective actions taken. Troubleshoot issues and implement basic corrections when possible. Initiate work orders for repairs and/or maintenance as needed.
• Complete phantom exercises from the National Nuclear Medicine Program Office, and other quality assurance duties.
• Review requests for appropriateness before performing exams. Use appropriateness criteria, the clinical history provided on the request, patient interview, patient chart review, or contact with the ordering provider as needed for clarification. Present discrepant or deficient indications to the Nuclear Medicine Supervisor or radiologist as appropriate. Ensure that the protocol is approved and signed by a radiologist prior to the initiation of an exam. Apply the concept of AIARA, keeping radiation exposure to patients and staff to as low as reasonably achievable.
• Receive patients and ensure proper identification. Provide patient education on what to expect during the exam and when to expect results. Continually assesses the condition and needs of patients to ensure patient safety, comfort, privacy, and dignity.
• Establish IV access as needed using needle sheath angio-catheter or butterfly.
• Prepare, assay, and administer radiopharmaceutical doses as prescribed. Support administration of radiopharmaceuticals by radiologists that require a provider to administer the material.
• Coordinate the administration of medications that are adjuncts to the nuclear medicine exam.
• Observe patient for adverse reactions to radiopharmaceuticals or other medications associated with the procedure and initiate appropriate actions.

Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 8:30 a.m- 5:00 p.m
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 71324-F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• 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).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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.
• 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.

Grade Determinations: In addition to meeting the basic requirements listed above, applicants must meet the following grade requirements for a GS-11 Nuclear Medicine Technologist:

Experience: For assignments above the journey level, the candidate must have 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-9), directly related to the position being filled, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs:

• Ability to produce and assess high quality fusion and quality control images using independent judgement to recognize abnormal or unacceptable results.
• Practical knowledge and skill in the use of ancillary equipment with an understanding of how the results will affect the study outcome.
• Knowledge of physiologic processes as they relate to altered radiopharmaceutical uptake and/or artefactual findings.
• Knowledge of CT and/or MR radiographic techniques utilized in quality control and acquisition parameters.
• Ability to recognize and correct fusion imaging system errors.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/

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-11.

Physical Requirements: The physical demands of the work includes: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over; moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds; pushing up to 4 hours; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers, good dexterity (both hands required); prolonged walking, prolonged standing; repeated bending; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid permitted); speed in working; and emotional stability. Must have the ability to stand and work while wearing a lead apron for possibly long periods of time.

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.