Nuclear Medicine Technologist

Summary

Nuclear Medicine Technologists have responsibility for providing a wide range of specialized nuclear medicine procedures - including diagnostic imaging, radio assay, in‑vivo cell labeling; evaluating abnormal results; using and maintaining equipment; setting up and monitoring quality control; and working within guidelines from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Department of Transportation (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). National Health Physics Program, Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA) among others.

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.

• 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 – 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
• Exceptions
• Non‑certified applicants – who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for NMTCB or ARRT (N) certification – may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate NMT under the authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405 (a)(1)(D)
• Failure to obtain certification within 1 year from the date of appointment is justification for termination of the temporary appointment. This may result in termination of employment.
• [(1) Failure to Obtain Credential] In all cases – NMTs must actively pursue meeting certification requirements starting from the date of their appointment
• [(2) Loss of Credential] [Once certified – NMTs must maintain a full‑valid‑and‑unrestricted certification. Loss of credential will result in removal from the GS‑0601 NMT occupation and may result in termination of employment.] In all cases – NMTs must actively pursue meeting certification requirements starting from the date of their appointment
• […] For occupations which require an active certification at all grade levels – at the discretion of the appointing official – an employee may be reassigned to another occupation for which he/she qualifies if a placement opportunity exists.
• For occupations which require an active credential (licensure/certification/registration) in assignments above the 3 journey level only – at the discretion of the appointing official – an employee may remain at an appropriate lower grade level in the occupation when both of the following apply: the credential is not a requirement and a placement opportunity exists.
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  Grandfathering Provision
• [All persons employed in VHA as a NMT on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title – series and grade held – including positive education and certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation]
• For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard – but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it – the following provisions apply: (1) Such employees in an occupation that requires a certification may be reassigned – promoted up to and including the journey (full performance) level – or changed to lower grade within the occupation – but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.
  
  (2) Such employees…
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