Supervisory Nuclear Medicine Technologist

Summary

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information - refer to Required Documents below. The Supervisory Nuclear Medicine Technologist has responsibility for the supervision of Nuclear Medicine Technologists. The supervisor also has accountability for all administrative aspects of the Nuclear Medicine Service to include the necessary contracts.

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
• English Language Proficiency
• Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)
• 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
• 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-12 (a) 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
• (b) 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
• Individuals in this assignment assume full administrative and professional responsibility for planning and directing the nuclear medicine program and technologists above the journey level at a medical center or independent outpatient clinic
• They also have supervisory responsibility over a program
• (c) Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• The candidate must demonstrate all the following technical KSAs and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs as designated by an asterisk
• i
• *Ability to assign and evaluate work of subordinate staff as well as resolve problems that may interfere with the delivery of nuclear medicine services by staff members
• ii
• Skill in providing complex nuclear medicine patient procedures
• iii
• *Ability to develop and initiate new protocols which apply to current research findings
• iv
• *Skill in providing administrative reports both orally and in writing [with higher level authorities (i.e. - NHPP - TJC - NRC - Inspector General - executive leadership)
• v
• *Ability to interview candidates for positions in the section
• recommend appointments - advancements - or - when appropriate - disciplinary actions
• evaluate performance
• and identify continuing education and training needs
• 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-12
• Physical Requirements: See VA Handbook

Duties

• Functions or Scope of Assigned Duties Supervisory Nuclear Medicine Technologist will: a
• Prepare - assay - and administer radiopharmaceutical doses by injection - inhalation or ingestion as prescribed
• b
• Be proficient in introducing intravenous catheters in patients for administration of radiopharmaceuticals and/or medications
• c
• Be knowledgeable regarding possible side effects of radiopharmaceuticals and other medications - such as lasix and captopril - to be administered
• Take immediate action to remedy any noted effects
• d
• Receive patients - explain procedure - answer questions relating to the procedure - position patient for all necessary views and tend to their comfort for the duration of the procedure
• e
• Obtain pertinent clinical data from the patient - electronic chart - requisition - and interviewing the patient and/or family
• f
• Move wheelchair and litter patients safely using ergonomic methods of patient transfer
• g
• Operate nuclear medicine equipment such as gamma cameras - well counters - GM survey meters - thyroid uptake system - and dose calibrators for various patient procedures as needed
• h
• Understand and be able to perform exposure rate calculations
• i
• Perform a full range of nuclear medicine diagnostic imaging - non-imaging - in-vitro and therapeutic procedures - including highly specialized computer assisted studies such as gated cardiac - tomographic and quantitative analysis
• j
• Keep up to date with new imaging agents - procedures and methods
• Write imaging protocols for use in department
• k
• Analyze procedure images for quality
• Obtain additional images when necessary
• I
• Be knowledgeable in three dimensional anatomy
• m
• Correctly administer radioactive pharmaceuticals to patients
• Utilizes necessary quality management methods of patient identification such as using two unique identifiers and using active rather than passive identification
• Appropriately utilizes NMIS system
• n
• Perform radionuclide therapy in collaboration with the Nuclear Medicine Physician
• Receive and assay prescribed therapeutic doses
• Fill out appropriate forms and administer dose with the nuclear medicine physician
• Instruct patient - family and nursing staff in radiation safety precautions
• Perform radiation surveys - post appropriate caution signs - and distribute personnel monitoring devices as required
• Monitor and properly store any radioactive waste for disposal
• Follows policy for written directive
• o
• Demonstrate a thorough understanding of personnel requiring film badges
• Read and understand the film badge exposure report
• Determine exposure patterns and recommend actions to reduce exposure levels to the public - radiation workers and self
• p
• Prepare studies for nuclear medicine physician's interpretation by insuring completeness of all forms involved in the procedure
• Record appropriate data and related information on the proper patient worksheet and images
• Scans all appropriate paperwork in to PACS system
• q
• May help schedule patient procedures - taking into consideration camera availability - scan length - patient condition - the need for multiple nuclear medicine studies - other clinic appointments of the patient - contraindications for the test and urgency of the request
• Inform patient of all pertinent preparations for his/her scan - i.e
• NPO - follow certain diet - bowel prep - etc
• r
• 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
• Recognize potential radiation contamination by visual and mechanical methods
• Take necessary actions to minimize contamination and exposure including contacting the Radio-pharmacy and radiation safety officer if needed
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 08:00am-4:30p.m 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