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 supervisory level TMP will be a knowledgeable user and subject matter expert in the use of the treatment planning system, delivery system, and QA equipment and software. The supervisory level TMP will also be an expert in special procedures and will be responsible for the training and competency of subordinate TMPs.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Provides professional, scientific, and clinical practice of therapeutic medical physics for external beam radiotherapy and brachytherapy treatment procedures from treatment simulation to treatment planning to the actual treatment delivery.
• Oversees the technical and programmatic development and implementation of new radiotherapy techniques and modalities, oversees the activities of all other TMPs, dosimetrists and other staff members assigned to the unit, directs the technical aspects of treatment procedures, and performs duties qualifying them as a supervisor to include planning and directing work, developing performance plans, evaluating staff performance, and other administrative functions.
• Full supervisory responsibility for a staff that includes lower level TMP positions and other clinical and professional staff that has technical responsibilities within the unit.
• Directs the implementation of new equipment and processes through oversight of the following activities: assesses radiation therapy equipment needs; monitors acceptance testing and commissioning of new radiation therapy equipment; evaluates the adequacy of room shielding and radiation surveys; develops and implements treatment processes in concert with a radiation oncologist; and ensures the precision and accuracy of treatment delivery.
• Optimizes technical infrastructure and workflow for streamlined operations in the department of radiation oncology through the mastery and application of techniques such as Process Mapping, Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA), Root Cause Analysis (RCA), and Fault Tree Analysis (FTA).
• Directs the radiation therapy treatment planning team through oversight of the following activities: designs and approves of treatment plans; monitors the accuracy of treatment data recorded in the patient's medical records; provides consultation to the radiation oncologist regarding difficult treatment cases; performs patient specific treatment validation measurements; develops medical physics policies and procedures for the delivery and quality assessment of advanced treatment modalities such as intensity modulated radiation therapy, stereotactic body radiation therapy and brachytherapy.
• Develops, operates and documents the medical physics quality assurance program, ensures regulatory compliance, supervises the Radiation Safety Officer's radiation safety program, and trains and educates radiation oncology team members in safe operations in Radiation Oncology.
• May also provide consultative services to the National Radiation Oncology Program (NROP), the National Health Physics Program (NHPP), other VHA program offices and other federal agencies.
• Expected to participate and function as the subject matter expert in the build and activation of a new 14,000 square foot Radiation Oncology Department as it pertains to shielding, policy, and radiation safety testing.
• Expected to become fully competent and familiar with the Elekta Unity MR-LINAC, selected traditional LINAC system, planning system, CT simulator and any/all QA procedures.
• Other duties as assigned

Work Schedule: Full-Time Monday - Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm or 8:00am - 4:30pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 31323F
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.
• 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

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.
• Education. Master's degree or higher in a physics, science, or engineering discipline recognized by an accredited college or university with at least 30 semester hours in medical physics, health physics, radiological science, physics, engineering, chemistry, or biology; or an equivalent foreign degree and coursework substantiated by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services.
• Board Certification. Persons hired or reassigned to TMP positions in the VHA must be board certified in the field of therapeutic medical physics by an approved certifying body. The board certificate must be current and the applicant must abide by the certifying body's requirements for continuing education.
  • Approved Certifying Bodies
  • (a) The American Board of Radiology (ABR) in any of the following field titles:
  • 1. Therapeutic Medical Physics
  • 2. Therapeutic Radiologic or Therapeutic Radiological Physics
  • 3. Radiologic Physics or Radiological Physics
  • (b) The American Board of Medical Physics (ABMP) in the subfield of Radiation Oncology Physics.
  • (c) The Canadian College of Physicists in Medicine (CCPM) in the subfield of Radiation Oncology Physics.
• Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
• English Language Proficiency. TMPs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d).

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:
In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

GS-14 Supervisory Therapeutic Medical Physicist
(a) Experience. In addition to the basic requirements, completion of a minimum of 1 year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the next lower grade.
(b) Assignments. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. A supervisory TMP provides professional, scientific, and clinical practice of therapeutic medical physics for external beam and brachytherapy treatment procedures from treatment simulation to treatment planning to the actual treatment delivery. The incumbent oversees the technical development and 8 implementation of new radiotherapy techniques and modalities; oversees the activities of all other TMPs, dosimetrists, and other staff members assigned to the unit; directs the technical aspects of treatment procedures; and, performs duties qualifying them as a supervisor to include planning and directing work, developing performance plans, evaluating staff performance, and other administrative functions. The supervisory TMP has full supervisory responsibility for a staff that includes lower level TMP positions and other clinical and professional staff within the unit. The employee directs the implementation of new equipment and processes through oversight of the following activities: assesses radiation therapy equipment needs; monitors acceptance testing and commissioning of new radiation therapy equipment; evaluates the adequacy of room shielding and radiation surveys; develops and implements treatment processes in concert with a radiation oncologist; and, ensures the precision and accuracy of treatment delivery. The employee optimizes technical infrastructure and workflow for streamlined operations in the department of radiation oncology through the mastery and application of techniques such as Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA), Root Cause Analysis (RCA), and Fault Tree Analysis (FTA). The employee directs the radiation therapy treatment planning team through oversight of the following activities: designs and approves of treatment plans; monitors the accuracy of treatment data recorded in the patient's medical records; provides consultation to the radiation oncologist regarding difficult treatment cases; performs patient-specific treatment validation measurements; develops medical physics policies and procedures for the delivery and quality assessment of advanced treatment modalities such as intensity modulated radiation therapy, stereotactic body radiation therapy and brachytherapy. The employee develops, operates, and documents the medical physics quality assurance program; ensures regulatory compliance; supervises the Radiation Safety Officer's radiation safety program; and, trains and educates radiation oncology team members in safe operations in Radiation Oncology.

References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/83 PART II APPENDIX G48The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-14.

Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary, although physical effort will be required. Some lifting, bending and moving of videoconferencing or technical equipment for installation and troubleshooting is required. Occasionally climbs ladders to adjust overhead equipment and lifts or moves objects weighing up to forty pounds; occasionally lifts or moves heavier items with assistance from others.

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.