Nuclear Medicine Technologist

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• English Language Proficiency: [NMTs] must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, of this part.
• 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. (Transcripts required).

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: 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. Experience includes but is no limited to :NMTs at this level are fully functional as an advanced NMT and carry out their assigned tasks independently. NMTs at this level serve in advanced assignments and will have varying assignments, including special and complex imaging procedures, advanced therapies, clinical instruction, and quality management duties within the program. Advanced therapies may include, but are not limited to, yttrium-90, radium, and palliative bone pain therapy.

Preferred Experience:

• Certified in Nuclear Medicine by the Nuclear Medicine Certification Board
• Computed Tomography (CT) Certification through the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) or the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist (ARRT).
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certified by the American Heart Association
• American Heart Association Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (AHA ACLS} Certification preferred.
• A minimum of 3 years of experience practicing Nuclear Medicine Technology
• Additional certification(s), such as Nuclear Cardiology Technologist (NCT), or PET/CT certification preferred.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience listed above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs:

i. Ability to produce and assess high quality scans and quality control images using independent judgement to recognize abnormal or unacceptable results.
ii. Knowledge and skill in use of ancillary equipment with an understanding of how the results will affect the study outcome.
iii. Knowledge of physiologic processes as they relate to altered radiopharmaceutical uptake and/or artefactual findings.
iv. Ability to obtain, assess, and document pre-therapy patient preparation information and provide post-therapy patient education following proper administration of advanced therapy dose.
v. Ability to develop new protocols for imaging procedures.
vi. Ability to analyze instances of increased radiation exposure levels and recommend measures to reduce.
vii. Ability to analyze consequences of improper packaging of radioactive material and take appropriate actions.

Assignments. For all assignments above the journey level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. NMTs at this level are fully functional as an advanced NMT and carry out their assigned tasks independently. NMTs in this assignment perform fusion imaging such as positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT), single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) and/or positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance (PET/MR) procedures that include non-diagnostic low dose CT attenuation corrected or MR fused images. They carry out these complex assignments independently. Assignments may include advanced therapies. The work must be of sufficient scope and complexity to meet the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform at this level.

References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II APPENDIX G19. NUCLEAR MEDICINE TECHNOLOGIST QUALIFICATION STANDARD GS-[0]601.

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

Physical Requirements:
Heavy Lifting, 45 pounds and over.
Heavy Carrying, 45 pounds and over.
Straight pulling (1 hour)Pushing (1-2 hours).
Reaching above shoulder.
Use of fingers.
Both hands required.
Walking (3 hours)Standing (3 hours).
Repeated bending (1 hour).
Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously.
Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4.
Hearing (aid may be permitted).