Clarification from the agency

Open to current permanent Bay Pines VA Healthcare System employees and all US Citizens. Please see the Area of Consideration order in the How You Will be Evaluated section. 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 Lead Nuclear Medicine Technologist (NMT), employee at this level is fully functional as an Advance NMT and is able to carry out the assigned tasks independently. Major duties for this position include, but are not limited to:

• Responsible for performing a wide variety of functional studies of organs and/or systems involving static and dynamic imaging procedures, integrated computer/imaging systems, single photon emission tomography, PET/CT, etc., in combination with a variety of radioimmunoassay (in vitro) laboratory procedures on biological specimens.
• Responsible for managing and directing the work of lower grade technologists when examinations/procedures require assistance and performing studies in General Nuclear Medicine, Nuclear Cardiology, Radiotherapy and PET/CT, as well as in-vivo procedures such as 111-In WBC labeling.
• Responsible for analyzing the consequences of improper packaging of radioactive material and take appropriate actions. These actions may consist of contacting the Chief Technologist, the RSO, and/or the Radiopharmacy.
• Determines personnel needing personal monitoring devices such as EKG Technologists, new employees, and Fellows/Residents that rotate through the Nuclear Medicine Service. Analyzes personal monitoring results that are available at the end of each month or specified time as assigned by the RSO, and recommends corrective action to the Chief Nuclear Medicine Technologist and RSO, if needed and/or if levels are unsatisfactory.
• Provides information to employees concerning management goals and objectives and provides higher-level supervisors with timely feedback on employee's participation and concerns. Provides advice, counsel or instruction to employees on both technical and administrative matters. Communicates complaints to higher-level supervisor.
• Ensures NM section success of all identified Performance measures.
• Coordinates new product evaluation. Recommends methods and products to reduce costs and/or increase quality. Continually reviews new developments in the field of NM, which may require mandatory off-site training for new equipment training. Is continually on the alert to improve quality of exams utilizing the newest technologies available.
• Performs other duties assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 6:30 am-3:00pm. Subject to change based on the needs of the facility.
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized for highly qualified candidates.
EDRP Authorized: This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more

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 identification 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.
     • Loss of Credential. Once certified, NMTs must maintain a full, valid, and unrestricted certification. Loss of credential will result in removal from the GS-0601 NMT occupation and may result in termination of employment. For occupations which require an active certification at all grade levels, at the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may be reassigned to another occupation for which he/she qualifies if a placement opportunity exists. For occupations which require an active credential (licensure/certification/registration) in assignments above the journey level only, at the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may remain at an appropriate lower grade level in the occupation when both of the following apply: the credential is not a requirement and a placement opportunity exists.
• English Language Proficiency: NMTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, of this part.

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:

Lead Nuclear Medicine Technologist, GS-11

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.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs:

• Ability to motivate and mentor staff.
• Ability to respond to decrease staffing levels or increase in workload involving all parties that restructure work assignments.
• Ability to communicate effectively with supervisor and staff.

Preferred Experience:

• PETCT and therapy/ theragnostic experience

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.

Physical Requirements: The physical demands of the work include: 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.

Area of Consideration. Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order:
1. Current permanent VA employees of the facility
2. All other applicants will be referred in Veterans' Preference order.

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.