Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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The technologist must possess professional knowledge of the scientific principles, concepts and methodology of nuclear medicine technology to carry out a variety of diagnostic tests and verify results. He/She must be knowledgeable of multiple physical facts of radionuclides, their use and their effect on the different body organs being imaged. The technologist must possess multidisciplinary skills in order to assist with stress tests by starting IV's, placing EKG leads, taking blood pressures and ensuring all monitoring equipment is functional. In case of an emergency, the technologist provides oxygen, fluids, administers CPR and other life support when necessary while waiting for dedicated medical emergency staff to arrive.

Major duties include but not limited to:

General, Cardiac and PET/CT imaging duties.

The preparation, calibration and administration of radiopharmaceuticals under the direction of an authorized user (Nuclear Medicine Physician)

Performance of quality control procedures, the operation of imaging, laboratory, and computer instrumentation
Independently performs a full range of routine radionuclide imaging studies of various organ systems by planar, tomographic (SPECT) and PET/CT techniques.

Evaluates images and computer generated data and performs additional views as required.

Prepares proper instruments, computers and auxiliary equipment and acquires images as indicated by protocols.
Independently performs, evaluates and monitors quality control measurements of specialized equipment used in the performance of imaging studies such as gamma camera imaging systems by testing flood uniformity, linearity and spatial resolution with devices such as point sources, radioactive flood sources, bar phantoms, computers, dose calibrators, well/probe detector systems, and other ancillary equipment used on a daily basis.

Troubleshoots and makes judgments on the acceptable performance of the equipment prior to initiating studies on patients.

Performs, monitors and documents monthly, quarterly and annual quality control procedures on equipment.
Maintains inventory of radioactive sources used for quality control and associated documentation.
Assumes all the duties and responsibilities of a technologist in the operation and calibration of the PET/CT scanner and will be willing to receive the necessary training to engage in the daily operation of the PET/CT.

Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Compressed/Flexible: No
Telework: Not authorized
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
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.
• 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.

• Physical requirement. VA Handbook 5019. pre-employment physical is required.
• English Language proficiency. Must be proficient in spoken and written English.

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Grade Determinations: [Nuclear Medicine Technologist,] GS-11
(a) 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.

(b) 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.

Preferred Experience: PET/CT working experience mandatory, SPECT/CT experience preferred

Reference: See VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G19, Society of Nuclear Medicine Guidelines, AART Guidelines for certification, CNMT Guidelines for certification.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of to GS 11.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 [ Employee Occupational Health Service ]

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.