Therapeutic Medical Physicist

Join to apply for the Therapeutic Medical Physicist role at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

This range is provided by U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

$/yr - $/yr

Recruitment or Relocation Incentive may be authorized for highly qualified individuals. The incumbent serves as a Therapeutic Medical Physicist (TMP) in Radiation Oncology and has responsibilities that include protection of the patient and others from potentially harmful or excessive radiation; establishment of adequate protocols to ensure accurate patient dosimetry.

• Basic Requirements:
  • Citizenship:
    Citizenship of the United States; (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3g - this part.)
  • Education:
    
    Master’s degree or higher in a physics, science, or engineering discipline recognized by an accredited college or university with at least 30 semester hours in medical physics, health physics, radiological science, physics, engineering, chemistry, or biology, or an equivalent foreign degree and coursework substantiated by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services.
  • Board Certification:
    Persons hired or reassigned to TMP positions in the VHA must be board certified in the field of therapeutic medical physics by an approved certifying body. The board certificate must be current and the applicant must abide by the certifying body's requirements for continuing education. Exception for Non-Board Certified – Entry Level Candidates:
    Non-board certified TMPs designated by the certifying agency (e.g., American Board of Radiology) as “board eligible” who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate TMP under the authority of 38 U.S.C.
  • Physical Requirements:
    
    See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
  • English Language Proficiency: TMPs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) – and 7407(d).
• Grade Determinations:
  • GS-12 (Entry Level):
    In addition to the basic requirements, the candidate must meet the following criteria:
    Knowledge of the scientific and technical principles and properties of radiotherapy devices for external beam radiotherapy; specialized knowledge of the clinical applications of these devices;
    Ability to exercise independent judgment in calibration and commissioning of external beam photon and electron beam delivery devices; specialized knowledge of acceptance testing and commissioning of radiation therapy simulation equipment such as CT simulators;
    Scientific and technical knowledge of electronic data handling techniques and software;
    Ability to exercise independent judgment in the safe operation of radiotherapy equipment and quality assurance; specialized knowledge of sources of uncertainty associated with treatment delivery and how to minimize the deviation between planned and delivered treatments; configuration of test equipment and associated software; and expected equipment performance for external beam radiotherapy treatment – brachytherapy – and simulation equipment;
    Detailed scientific and technical knowledge of radiotherapy treatment planning principles – treatment planning algorithms – and delivery;
    Knowledge of scientific and technical aspects of brachytherapy delivery systems and radiation sources;
    Ability to exercise independent judgment in radiation shielding techniques for external beam delivery systems; specialized knowledge of detection and survey methods; and knowledge of regulatory requirements and guidelines for radiation shielding and protection;
    Knowledge of multi-modality medical imaging, including megavoltage photon beam imaging, CT, radiographic imaging, magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emission tomography.
  • GS-13 (Full Performance Level):
    Completion of a minimum of 1 year of progressively complex experience equivalent to GS-12 and demonstration of the following KSAs:
    Safe and efficient use of all radiotherapy devices; evaluation and correct operation of equipment;…