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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Fusion Imaging Technologist)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States, 73116

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U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provided pay range 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 $79,112.00/yr - $102,840.00/yr

Summary This is an

OPEN CONTINUOUS announcement

until December 31 - 2025. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available or until positions are filled. These positions are eligible for recruitment/relocation incentives for highly qualified candidates. The Oklahoma City VA Medical Center - Nuclear Medicine Service - is currently recruiting for two Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Fusion Imaging Technologist) positions in Oklahoma City - OK.

Qualifications

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

[NMTs] must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2 - section D - paragraph 5a - of this part

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

NOTE: Technologists functioning as multi-modality technologists require additional specific certifications as stated in assignment descriptions below

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-11 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

Next Lower Grade Level 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

GS-11 Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities

The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs: Ability to produce and assess high quality fusion and quality control images using independent judgement to recognize abnormal or unacceptable results

Practical knowledge and skill in the use of ancillary equipment with an understanding of how the results will affect the study outcome

Knowledge of physiologic processes as they relate to altered radiopharmaceutical uptake and/or artefactual findings

Knowledge of CT and/or MR radiographic techniques utilized in quality control and acquisition parameters

Ability to recognize and correct fusion imaging system errors

Preferred Experience: Have experience performing specialized/complex imaging procedures – such as rest and stress myocardial perfusion – hepatobiliary – hemangioma – lasix renal – captopril renal – brain – cisternogram – tumor – oncological – infection studies – SPECT/CT – PET/CT and advanced therapies

Assists supervising Physician – Physician Assistant in the cardiac stress lab while performing exercise or pharmaceutical stress exams associated with myocardial perfusion imaging

Specialized/complex procedures may require administration of interventional drugs – such as regadenoson – adenosine – lasix – cholecystokenin – SSKI – glucola – and other drugs – under the supervision of a physician/physician assistant and using special techniques for administering radiopharmaceuticals

Advanced therapies may include but are not limited to Y-90 – Ra223 and palliative bone pain therapies

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard – please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/

This position is listed as above full performance level at the GS-11

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 – Employee Occupational Health Service.

Duties

Duties: Verifies patient identity to comply with medical center and service policy – physician order for the procedure – and pregnancy status of females – when appropriate

Evaluates the individual needs of the adult and older adult patient and provides appropriate care/support

Recognizes and responds appropriately to emergency conditions by initiating a call for assistance – administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation when necessary – and maintaining intravenous fluids – oxygen and other life-support assistance until dedicated medical emergency staff arrives

Assuring that any pre-study preparation has been completed – such as hydration – voiding – bowel cleansing – suspension of interfering drugs – blood serum glucose assessments – intravenous line and/or bladder catheter placement before any procedures are started

Be proficient in introducing intravenous catheters in patients for administration of radiopharmaceuticals and medications

Transfers wheelchair and litter patients onto imaging table safely using ergonomic methods/lifting devices

Receives radioactive material (RAM) packages and monitors RAM package for external exposure and removable contamination

Documents package receipt

Enters the radioactive material into inventory – stores radioactive material appropriately – defaces RAM package – and properly disposes of packaging material

Maintains record for review/inspection

Prepares – assays – and administers radiopharmaceutical doses by injection – inhalation – or ingestion as prescribed by the physician

Radio-labels blood components following VHA Radio labeled Blood Directive and departmental policies

Performs – evaluates – and monitors quality control measures of specialized equipment including all nuclear medicine equipment used in the performance of nuclear imaging – non-imaging studies – and ancillary equipment and records acquired data daily – i.e. – gamma cameras – SPECT/CT – PET/CT systems – thyroid probe and uptake – GM meters – dose calibrators – well counters – Intego Infusion system – Crash cart

Adjust and maintain equipment

Verifying accuracy of ECG gating and operates and maintains ancillary devices – i.e. – EKG machines – BP machines – case/treadmill machine – glucometer

Knowledge regarding possible side effects of radiopharmaceuticals and other medications – such as Lasix – kinevac – captopril – adenosine – and lexiscan

With minimal supervision from senior level staff/supervisory technologist (when necessary) – 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 – tomographic quantitative and fused imaging

Knowledgeable in 3D and cross-sectional anatomy

Schedules patients for exams when necessary following departmental and VHA scheduling directives

Assisting the Nuclear Medicine Physician in performing a wide variety of advanced radiopharmaceutical therapies including – but not limited to 1-131 – Y-90 – Sm-153 and Ra-223

Correctly administer radioactive pharmaceuticals to patients following hospital/departmental protocols

Perform daily room surveys and weekly wipe testing per departmental policy

Secures and stores radioactive material and sealed sources to prevent unauthorized access or removal

Uses personnel monitoring devices to measure external radiation exposure and bioassay to detect internal contamination

Disposes of radioactive waste by segregating – monitoring – labeling – and transferring waste to appropriate storage areas

Releases waste through the decay in storage

Defaces radiation symbols and wording before discarding/transferring packages

Records waste disposal data in the Hot Lab information system

The incumbent identifies unsafe or unsanitary conditions which may impose danger to self – customers – employees – or property – and understands processes to follow through to abate and/or minimize the impending hazard

Assists Supervisor in developing – revising – and maintaining procedure manuals May make recommendations to the Chief – Nuclear Medicine Service and appropriate administrative staff regarding equipment purchases – modifications – and construction within the department

Provides technical information when requested

Participates in clinician research activities – pharmaceutical clinical trials – and proposed new uses of radiopharmaceuticals

Participates in Tracer Observations and EOC rounds monthly

Must have the ability to work in a team oriented environment with multiple disciplines to include internal and external customers

Performs other duties as assigned

Work Schedule: Mon-Fri

7:30 AM to 4:00 PM Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position

Functional Statement #: 51689A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Seniority level

Mid-Senior level

Employment type

Full-time

Job function

Health Care Provider

Industries: Government Administration

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