About this role
Job SummaryThis vacancy announcement is open to current employees of the Charles George VAMC facility. Required Document: All applicants are required to submit a current, non-award SF-50 with their application. Incumbent has a full understanding of proper methods of receipt, use, storage and disposal of radioactive material; able to appropriately manage unusual circumstances; perform and evaluate daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly quality control on all imaging and non-imaging instrumentation.
QualificationsApplicants 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. 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, 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). (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. Grade Determinations: Nuclear Medicine Technologist. All individuals assigned to this occupation must have an approved title or parenthetical title, as described below: (1) Nuclear Medicine Technologist (2) Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Fusion Imaging Technologist) (3) Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Multi-Modality Technologist) (4) Lead Nuclear Medicine Technologist (5) Supervisory Nuclear Medicine Technologist (6) Supervisory Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Chief) (7) Nuclear Medicine Technologist (National or Regional Technologist) (8) Supervisory Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Imaging Program Administrator) Preferred Experience: The work requires a professional knowledge of the field of Nuclear Medicine Technology and those aspects of chemistry, physics, mathematics, and the biomedical sciences that relate to Nuclear Medicine. The following are requirements for appointment as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Nuclear Medicine Technologists (NMTs) perform a wide variety of functional studies of organs and/or systems involving static and dynamic imaging procedures, injection of radionuclides and radiopharmaceuticals, and the use of such specialized equipment as integrated computer/imaging systems, Single photon Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography (SPECT/CT), Positron Emission Tomography- Computed Tomography (PET and PET/CT), in combination with variety of radioimmunoassay (in vivo and in vitro procedures) such as Pyrophosphate, Ultra tag Red Blood Cell labeling and others. Other functions performed include Radiation Safety procedures, assistance with Radionuclide Therapies, database management which includes management of images with the Hospital Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS), Veteran Health Information system and Technology Architecture (VISTA) Radiology Package systems. All applicants must be certified in Nuclear Medicine Technology by the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) or American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT) and be in good standing with certifying body. It is preferred the applicant be certified in CT but not mandatory. Prefer a minimum of 8 years of full-time experience as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019[, Employee Occupational Health Service
Major DutiesFunctions or Scope of Assigned Duties: Perform a broad spectrum of quality control and radiation safety measures, and record appropriate documentation required to maintain compliance with the statutes and regulations mandated for a Nuclear Medicine Program. Perform required procedures for safe receipt, handling, transport, usage, storage, and disposal of radioactive materials compliant with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), National Health Physics Program (NHPP), Department of Transportation (DOT) and license conditions. Apply knowledge of specific precautions to different various types of packaging and contents Recognize potential radiation contamination by visual and mechanical methods. If evidence or potential of radiation contamination, take necessary actions to minimize contamination and mitigate exposure to self, public and coworkers. Contact the supplying radiopharmacy, the Radiation Safety Officer and Assistant Radiation Safety Officer for clarification and guidance. Perform daily laboratory surveys, wipe tests and bioassays. Recognize evidence of contamination and implement containment and mitigation protocols Calibrate and perform quality control on thyroid uptake system, gamma cameras, SPECT/CT systems, dose calibrators, well counter and other equipment, and instruments. Adjust and maintain instruments; verify correct operation using established procedures and quality control standards. Identify deviations from specifications, and document corrective actions taken. Troubleshoot issues and implement basic corrections when possible. Initiate work orders for repairs and/or maintenance as needed. Complete phantom exercises directed under the auspices of the National Nuclear Medicine Program Office. Other duties as assigned Work Schedule: Compressed Telework: This is not a remote position Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not AuthorizedRequirementsYou 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. 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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.