This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/474185100. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
The Kansas City VA is embarking on a journey of moving beyond performance measure and becoming the Healthcare System Veterans Trust and Choose.
Our patients depend on us and we depend on professionals like you.
If you are interested in being a part of a LEAN organization and putting other's needs before your own this may be the organization for you. Yours might be the first face they see when they come through our doors. Yours might be the voice they hear right after a surprise diagnosis. Yours might be the eyes they look into as they are pushed in a wheelchair to a frightening procedure. Your attitude reflects us and everything we are proud of in this organization. By applying for this position you have chosen to help serve our patients and we appreciate you. With the initiation of cultural change, along with knowledge and tools for change, the Kansas City VA will continue to move towards a practice of continuous improvement. In the endeavor, we recognize that this change will not occur suddenly, that dedicated individuals like yourself will be required, that leadership involvement is necessary, and employee engagement paramount.
As a 157 bed medical, surgical, and psychiatric facility, the Kansas City VA provides comprehensive health care through primary care and tertiary care in subspecialty medicine, surgery, psychiatry, physical medicine and rehabilitation. It is also a teaching hospital affiliated with the University of Kansas and the University of Missouri Kansas City. Take a closer look at Kansas City at www.thinkkc.com.
VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
This announcement is an external announcement, open to U.S. Citizens. Permanent Facility employees, VA employees, or Federal employees should apply under announcement #CD-17-MS-1985809-BU.
This is an open continuous announcement. Candidates will be referred as needed. All applicants applying under this external announcement will be subject to Veteran's Preference each time a referral is requested. This announcement may close early.
Learn more about this agency09/07/2017 to 12/31/2017
$49,994 - $64,995 per year
GS 09
1 vacancy in the following location:
Not required
No
Temporary - Excepted Service NTE NTE 1 year
Intermittent
9
No
CD-17-MS-1985810-BU
474185100
Incumbent serves as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist for the Radiology Service at the Kansas City VA Medical Center.
Duties include but are not limited to the following:
· Performs examinations utilizing radionuclides and radiopharmaceuticals, special imaging and scintillation counting instruments and computers with defined software consisting of imaging studies on organs and systems to define anatomy and structure, quantitative studies for the analysis of organ function and in-vivo studies to determine the status of biochemical and metabolic processes.
· Calibrates, standardizes, adjusts and maintains imaging cameras and associated equipment, dose calibrators and well counter. Verifies uniformity and spatial resolution of photomultiplier tubes with a radioactive flood source and bar phantoms. Performs accuracy and linearity checks verifying dose calibrator response to absolute quantities of radioactivity.
· Prepares, assays, and administers radiopharmaceuticals, as prescribed, from radionuclides and pharmaceutical kits and conduct and analyze results of quality control procedures on the radiopharmaceuticals while maintaining aseptic technique. Schedules and receives patients and request transportation of patients taking into account the type of study requested and the physical condition of the patients, previous nuclear medicine and radiology examinations, and prerequisites for exams. Explains procedure to patients to help allay anxieties and enhance patient cooperation.
· Assists in the transfer of patients from differing transportation modes in placement onto the camera bed using proper ergonomic techniques. Verifies the correct radiopharmaceutical and dosage and administers either intravenously or orally to the correct patient while maintaining safe handling of the radiopharmaceutical.
· Checks patients and their clothing for contamination and objects that may cause a false positive study. Determines if additional and different views are needed for a definitive diagnosis. Performs dynamic and static imaging procedures on patients to include proper patient positioning, operation of equipment, film development and identification. Performs computer operations utilizing acquisitions, processing, and storing parameters as defined by computer software. Analyzes processed data for quality and accuracy of results.
· Judges the quality of scans and exercise technical adjustments and quality control over work performed. Receives radioactive material packages, conducts surveys and records results. Practices compliance with NRC regulations by conducting and recording daily, weekly and quarterly surveys of the work area including radiation monitoring performed with a survey meter and wipe tests to detect designated surface contamination sites. Performs radionuclide therapies in collaboration with the Nuclear Medicine Physician.
· Recognizes potential radiation contamination by visual and mechanical methods. Determine exposure rates and take necessary actions according to ALARA to minimize contamination and exposure to self, co-workers and the general public accordingly. Report incident to the Radiation Safety Officer as needed.
· In the absence of an RSO or Nuclear Medicine Supervisor, demonstrates thorough knowledge of personnel requiring film badges and can read and understand the badge reports. Performs the various clerical tasks including record keeping systems, dose records of patients, results of equipment calibration, radiation monitoring records, equipment maintenance and receiving, processing, distributing and the storing of supplies.
· Interacts with individuals from the differing regulatory agencies as necessary. Assists technologists, radiologists, and administrative staff in the performance of duties as necessary. Maintains and encourages an environment of teamwork and a positive workplace. Instructs Nuclear Medicine and Radiology students, new technologists, residents and others on techniques, procedures, equipment use, etc. Performs other duties as assigned as it relates to Nuclear Medicine and serves as liaison between various administrative services of the medical center.
Work Schedule: Intermittent/PRN. Various Tours, must be able to work shifts (day) with short notice.
Functional Statement Title/#: Nuclear Medicine Technologist GS-601
Physical Requirements:Work is normally accomplished in a clinical setting, although some administrative duties are required as well. Due to the nature of the work, the incumbent will be exposed to stressful working situations that will require a mature attitude and collective reasoning to overcome. The incumbent may be called upon to assist in the receipt, storage, and distribution of radiopharmaceuticals, supplies and equipment. The primary duties of the incumbent consists of walking, standing, sitting, bending and climbing up to 8 hours per tour.
Basic Requirements:
U.S. Citizenship. Non-citizens may 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 American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT). NMTCB or ARRT (N) certification eligibility requirements are normally satisfied by one of the following: graduation from an educational program in nuclear medicine technology accredited by the Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation; or national certification as a registered medical technologist or registered radiologic technologist; or a bachelor's or associate's degree in one of the physical or biological sciences, and 4 years of clinical NMT experience. Copy of Certification Required with Application.
English Language Proficiency. Nuclear medicine technologists must be proficient in spoken and written, English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7404(d).
Physical Requirements. Applicants must meet specified physical requirements for this position.
Preferred Experience: Knowledge of radiation safety practices.
Applicants with the following certifications from American Heart Association (AHA) or Military Training Network (MTN) are highly preferred: Basic Life Support (BLS) and/or Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS). (AHA certification preferred.) The selected employee will be required to receive these certifications prior to assuming clinical responsibilities and ensure current certifications after employment is maintained.
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.
Grade Determinations:
GS-9
Experience. Completion of 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-7) directly related to the position to be filled, i.e., experience that demonstrates possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics needed to provide nuclear medicine technology services at that level.
In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
1. Ability to document excessive radiation exposure in the working environment.
2. Knowledge of medical events requiring documentation and the ability to properly document them and make recommendations to the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO).
3. Ability to communicate orally and in writing post-therapy radiation safety precautions.
4. Ability to troubleshoot gamma camera and auxiliary equipment problems.
5. Ability to analyze computer generated data for technical quality and artifacts and initiate corrective measures.
References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, App G-19, Nuclear Medicine Technologist Qualification Standard, GS-601. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office.
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
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, résumé and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.
NOTE: The Professional Standards Board (a peer-review group) will recommend the grade and salary for new appointments.
All applicants are required to submit the following supporting document type(s):
·Resume
Applicants may also submit the following supporting document type(s),which may not be required for all applicants:
to make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, etc. You will not be contacted for additional information.
Faxing Applications or Supporting Documents: You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application. If you are unable to apply online or unable to upload your supporting documents to your online application, follow the directions located at the following site: Fax Options. The Vacancy ID of the job opportunity announcement is 1985810.
NOTE: If you applied online and your application is complete, do not fax the paper application (1203-FX) as this will overwrite your prior online responses and may result in you being found ineligible.
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
All applicants are encouraged to apply online.
To apply for this position, you must complete the View Occupational Questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on Sunday, December 31, 2017 to receive consideration.
1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. During our review, if your résumé and application package do not support your questionnaire answers, we will adjust your rating accordingly. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email (if provided); otherwise, applicants will receive a notification letter via the U.S. Postal Service. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You
may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USAJOBS
account and clicking on Application Status. For a more detailed update
of your status, click on more information. Information regarding applicant
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The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/474185100. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
Learn more about
Vacancy Identification Number (VIN): 1985810
OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan" by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate care to Veterans?