Nuclear Medicine Technologist

Summary

Serves as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist in the Nuclear Medicine Service at the Veterans Healthcare System of the Ozarks and is responsible for performing a full range of routine and non-routine radionuclide studies to aid in the diagnosis of various organ functional disorders.

• 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)
• Certification eligibility requirements are normally satisfied by one of the following:
  • Completion of a NMTCB-recognized nuclear medicine technology program
  • 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:
  In addition to the basic requirements, the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade
• The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the grade
• GS 09:
  
  Experience:
  
  Completion of 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position to be filled is required
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):
  • Ability to document excessive radiation exposure in the working environment
  • Knowledge of medical events requiring documentation and the ability to properly document them and make recommendations to the radiation safety officer (RSO)
  • Ability to communicate orally and in writing post iodine-131 therapy radiation safety precautions
  • Ability to troubleshoot gamma camera and auxiliary equipment problems
  • Ability to analyze computer generated data for technical quality and artifacts and initiate corrective measures
• Preferred Experience:
  
  1 Year of Hospital Based Experience
• The full performance level of this vacancy is 09
• Physical Requirements:
  
  Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for this occupation – may require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing; may be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment
• Work Environment:
  Work is performed in an office clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions, adequately lighted, heated and ventilated; requires ability to handle several tasks at once and sometimes stressful situations

• Work independently in performing routine and non-routine imaging procedures
• Prepare proper instrument, computer and auxiliary equipment and acquire imaging procedures as indicated by protocol
• Evaluate image appearance and perform any additional views as required
• Process and evaluate computer-generated data
• Obtain samples and/or data for non-imaging studies
• Calculate and evaluate results of non-imaging studies
• Perform, evaluate, and monitor quality control measurements of specialized equipment used in imaging studies (e.g., camera imaging systems, computers, dose calibrators, well/probe detector systems, and other ancillary equipment used daily)
• Perform QC, troubleshoot, and judge acceptable performance of equipment prior to initiating studies on patients
• Assess performance and troubleshoot PACS and/or film processing…