Clarification from the agency

1. First Area of Consideration (Facility Employees) - Current, permanent St. Louis Healthcare System employees. 2. Second Area of Consideration (Other VA Employees) - Current, permanent Department of Veterans Affairs Employees (VA employees located at other VA medical centers).

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Nuclear Medicine Technologists have responsibility for providing a wide range of specialized nuclear medicine procedures, including diagnostic imaging, therapy with unsealed radioactive materials, radioassay, in-vivo or in-vitro cell labeling; evaluating abnormal results; using and maintaining equipment; setting up and monitoring quality control; working within guidelines from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Department of Transportation (DOT), National Health Physics Program, Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA) among others.

Major duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Prepare, assist, and administer radiopharmaceutical doses by injection, inhalation or ingestion as prescribed
• Proficient in intravenous catheters insertion in patients for administration of radiopharmaceuticals and/or medications
• Knowledge regarding side effects of radiopharmaceuticals and other medications
• Ability to receive patients, explain procedure, position patient for all necessary views during the duration of the procedure
• Obtain pertinent clinical data from the patient, electronic chart, requisition, and interviewing the patient and/or family
• Ability to operate nuclear medicine equipment such as gamma cameras, well counters, GM survey meters, thyroid uptake system, and dose calibrators Knowledge of exposure rate calculations and writing imaging protocols for use in department
• Ability to perform a full range of nuclear medicine diagnostic imaging, non-imaging, invitro and therapeutic procedures, including highly specialized computer assisted studies such as gated, tomographic, quantitative procedures
• Ability to analyze procedure images for quality Obtain additional images when necessary.
• Ability to properly administer radioactive pharmaceuticals to patients
• Utilizes quality management methods of patient identification using two unique identifiers and active verses passive identification
• Ability to perform radionuclide therapy in collaboration with Nuclear Medicine Physician
• Ability to properly monitor and store any radioactive waste for disposal.
• Ablity to read and understand the film badge exposure report sto to determine exposure patterns and recommend actions
• Prepare studies for nuclear medicine physician's interpretation by insuring completeness of all forms
• Record appropriate data and related information on the proper patient worksheet and images
• Inform patient of all pertinent preparations for his/her scan, i.e. NPO, follow certain diet, bowel prep, etc.
• Perform required technical procedures for safe receipt, handling, transport, usage and disposal of radioactive materials, assuring compliance with Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), National Health Physics Program (NHPP), Department of Transportation (DOT) and license conditions Ability to practice the concepts of ALARA principal; maintaining radiation exposures as low as reasonably achievable
• Follow all Nuclear Medicine, Medical Center, VISN and Radiation Safety policies are effectively followed
• Recognize potential radiation contamination by visual and mechanical methods.
• Calibrate thyroid uptake system, gamma cameras, dose calibrators and well counter.
• djust and maintain instruments, verify correct operation using established procedures and quality control standards. Identify and record the cause of problems when they occur. Troubleshoot issues and make simple repairs when possible.
• Participate in research projects involving Nuclear Medicine studies, products, equipment and/or radiopharmaceuticals.
• Instruct Nuclear Medicine students, Radiology students, new technologists, residents and others on techniques, procedures, and equipment use Recognize evidence of contamination and act accordingly to maintain ALARA principles
• Evaluate study for technical abnormalities (artifacts) and take the proper steps to correct the problem
• Evaluate the validity of data in relation to results needed and determine if additional information is needed for clarification of test results
• Identify positive results and notify the Nuclear Medicine Physician immediately
• Assist other technologists when necessary, i.e. difficult or uncooperative patient, heavy workload
• Maintain and encourage an environment of teamwork and a positive workplace
• Interact with representatives from outside agencies such as JCAHO, NRC, VISN and VHA when necessary
• Perform other nuclear medicine related duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 07:00am to 3:30pm **Job requires mandatory On-Call After Hour Duty**
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
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.
• You may be required to serve a trial period.
• 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 evaluation.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Real ID Card required.

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.
• 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.

Preferred Experience:

• Certified in Nuclear Medicine by the Nuclear Medicine Certification Board and minimum of 5 years of experience practicing Nuclear Medicine Technology
• Computed Tomography (CT) Certification through the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) or the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist (ARRT).
• Additional certification(s), such as Nuclear Cardiology Technologist (NCT), or PET/CT certification preferred.

Grade Determinations:
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.

Experience at the GS9 level may include:
A. Ability to document excessive radiation exposure in the working environment.
B. Knowledge of medical events requiring documentation and the ability to properly document them and make recommendations to the radiation safety officer (RSO).
C. Ability to communicate orally and in writing post iodine131 therapy radiation safety precautions.
D. Ability to troubleshoot gamma camera and auxiliary equipment problems.
E. Ability to analyze computer generated data for technical quality and artifacts and initiate corrective measures

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
A. Ability to produce and assess high quality scans and quality control images using independent judgement to recognize abnormal or unacceptable results.
B. Knowledge and skill in use of ancillary equipment with an understanding of how the results will affect the study outcome.
C. Knowledge of physiologic processes as they relate to altered radiopharmaceutical uptake and/or artefactual findings.
D. Ability to obtain, assess, and document pre-therapy patient preparation information and provide post-therapy patient education following proper administration of advanced therapy dose.
E. Ability to develop new protocols for imaging procedures.
F. Ability to analyze instances of increased radiation exposure levels and recommend measures to reduce.
G. Ability to analyze consequences of improper packaging of radioactive material and take appropriate actions.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. VA Handbook 5005/15 Part II Appendix G19 Nuclear Medicine Technologist Qualification Standard.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11.

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. Lifting, pulling, pushing and carrying items weighing up to 50 pounds is also a primary function of the incumbent.

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.