Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist - Medical Dosimetrist

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS. To qualify for appointment to this position, all applicants must possess the following:

Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens according to 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a).

Education. Effective January 1, 2017, candidates are required to hold a minimum of a bachelor's degree and graduate from a medical dosimetry program of at least 12 months in duration. The medical dosimetry program must be accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT), or other accrediting bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. JRCERT is the accrediting agency for the medical dosimetry programs recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

• Exception. Candidates who graduated prior to January 1, 2017, are considered to have met the basic education requirement provided they meet all Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board (MDCB) requirements and are in good standing.

Certification. All applicants must be certified in medical dosimetry by the MDCB. Certified Medical Dosimetry (CMD) is the recognized credential for Medical Dosimetrists.

• NOTE: CMDs who perform therapeutic radiologic technologist duties must also possess ARRT(T) certification and be assigned to a functional statement that combines both types of work.
• NOTE: The Consumer-Patient Radiation Health and Safety Act of 1981, P.L. 97-35 requires persons who administer Therapeutic Radiological procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 C.F.R. § 75. They must have completed an educational program meeting or exceeding the standards described in that regulation and be accredited by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or be a Radiation Therapist certified in medical dosimetry.

Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. Foreign equivalency evaluation from The Foundation for International Services, Inc. or the International Education Research Foundation is required. Foreign equivalency documentation from any other organization will not be considered.

English Language Proficiency. Medical Dosimetrists must be proficient in spoken and written English. See 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

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

Medical Dosimetrist, GS-12.
Experience. At this level, candidates must possess at least one year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11) that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level and must fully meet the KSAs.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs:
(a) Knowledge of the care and use of radioactive resources for implementation and treatment delivery.
(b) Skill at effective communication and leadership as demonstrated by providing orientation and training for staff, providing input for yearly appraisals, directing progress and coordination of workload, and ensuring compliance with standard operating procedures and directives to provide continuity of care.
(c) Skill in providing guidance and expertise related to all aspects of the treatment planning process.
(d) Skill to independently perform complex treatment procedures as evidenced by completing tasks such as developing and troubleshooting highly complex isodose treatment plans delineating critical structures and tumor volumes, performing weekly chart checks, performing QA verifications and providing training on all aspects of the Record and Verify System such as Mosaiq or Aria.
(e) Ability to resolve complex physical and geometric errors in radiation equipment, simulation procedures and treatment delivery implementation.
(f) Ability to follow protocols including, but not limited to developing and implementing policies and standard operating procedures, participating in research programs, ensuring compliance with the radiation safety office, national program office, and accrediting agencies, and following established quality standard measures.
(g) Ability to apply a broad range of specific methods of radiation measurements including, but not limited to, diode, ion chamber, thermoluminescent dosimeter, or film measurement as directed by a qualified Medical Physicist and perform or assist with the QA procedures as directed by a qualified Medical Physicist.

References: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12.

Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting and carrying (15-44 lbs.); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; repeated bending (up to 4 hours); both eyes; depth perception; the ability to distinguish basic colors; the ability to distinguish shades of colors; and hearing (aid may be permitted).

Environmental Factors: There may be exposure to radiant energy; working around machinery with moving parts; and you must be able to work alone and closely with others.