Direct Jobs
Summary
The Therapeutic Radiologic Tech performs a wide array of complex duties of a strategically critical nature. Receives patients and briefly explains methods of procedure to the patient. Makes radiographs needed to localize the tumor volume in patients that require proper use of various anatomical marking devices. Constructs and performs accurate measurements of the patient's body to be utilized by the physicist and/or dosimetrist during computer calculations. Grade depends on level of experience
Qualifications 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
(1) All applicants must be certified in therapeutic radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT) (T)
(2) Certification in Medical Dosimetry is not a basic requirement for this occupation
however - it is strongly desirable as evidence of possession of the essential knowledge - skills - and abilities
Experience or Education
Completion of a program in therapeutic radiologic technology - evidenced by a certificate or an associate degree - accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT)
certification by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) in Radiology - and the subsequent completion of a 12-month JRCERT approved program in therapeutic radiologic technology
JRCERT is the accrediting agency for the radiation therapy programs recognized by the US Physical Requirements
The work requires long periods of standing and walking
There is some bending and carrying of moderately heavy articles such as film cassettes - treatment devices - and molds with heavier lifting of wedges and specially designed shielding blocks
Patients often are assisted to achieve proper positioning - which may require reaching - lifting - or working in strained positions
The deterioration of the patient due to disease progression often requires lifting of the patient from stretchers or wheelchairs to treatment and examination tables utilizing special techniques designed to minimize the discomfort of the patient
See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
English Language Proficiency
TRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2 - section D - paragraph 5a - this part
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)
Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist - GS-8 (1) Experience
At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the knowledge - skills - and abilities/core competencies described at that level
(2) Assignment
Staff TRTs at this developmental level perform a substantially full range of basic clinical duties and basic treatment delivery modalities
They will receive guidance and directions regarding most complex treatment delivery modalities - and unfamiliar or unusual situations for complex patient clinical issues
Assignments at this level include but are not limited to set-up of the treatment room with prescribed immobilization devices and supplies for each individual patient before treatment
They deliver treatments providing basic and some advanced radiation treatment modalities on a linear accelerator
Staff TRTs conduct daily quality measures - machine warm up procedures - interpretation of output levels compared with established thresholds and other assignments
(3) Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSA): Candidates must demonstrate all the KSAs below: (a) Skill in setting up the treatment room to deliver basic and some complex radiation treatments on a linear accelerator - as prescribed by the radiation oncologist
(b) Ability to perform machine warm up procedures and interpret output levels compared with established thresholds and radiation safety principles
(c) Ability to perform moderately complex patient chart reviews by using the electronic medical record and the Record and Verify System or other similar treatment delivery systems
(d) Ability to operate the CT Simulator to perform simulations - design custom immobilization for reproducible set-ups - obtain optimal imaging and provide accurate and precise patient documentation
Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist - GS-9 (1) Experience
At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled
(2) Assignment
Employees at this level serve as staff TRTs at the full performance level independently carrying out most procedures which have varying assignments - including advanced treatment modalities and procedures
(3) Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills and Abilities
Candidates must demonstrate all the KSAs below: (a) Skill in independently setting up the patient in preparation for basic and complex radiation treatments on a linear accelerator - as prescribed by the radiation oncologist
(b) Skill in independently performing machine warm-up procedures to interpret output levels compared with established thresholds adhering to the principles of radiation safety and all aspects of quality assurance
Preferred Experience: 3-5 years of experience as a Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist (Radiation Therapist)
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-6 to
GS-9
Duties
Duties include but are not limited to: Schedules treatments in a manner as to optimize accelerator times while maintaining flexibility for emergency cases
This requires the ability to prioritize scheduled patients as well as the ability to accommodate the emergency patient who may need immediate simulation and treatment
Performs quality control of the treatment machines by taking recorded readings every morning prior to patient treatments using the dosimetry verification and record system for each energy level
Identifies individual patient by the required identification methods set forth by hospital policy before simulation or radiation treatment is delivered
Prepares contrast materials under supervision that are to be used for treatment simulations
Ensures proper use or administration of the contrast materials to avoid the risk of patient mortality - therefore it is essential that the therapist has a thorough understanding of contrast material usage
Routinely takes port/verification images on patients under radiation treatment - to maintain record of treatment accuracy in accordance to departmental procedures - verifies any changes in accordance with the physicians request
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Functional Statement #: Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Qualifications 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
(1) All applicants must be certified in therapeutic radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT) (T)
(2) Certification in Medical Dosimetry is not a basic requirement for this occupation
however - it is strongly desirable as evidence of possession of the essential knowledge - skills - and abilities
Experience or Education
Completion of a program in therapeutic radiologic technology - evidenced by a certificate or an associate degree - accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT)
certification by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) in Radiology - and the subsequent completion of a 12-month JRCERT approved program in therapeutic radiologic technology
JRCERT is the accrediting agency for the radiation therapy programs recognized by the US Physical Requirements
The work requires long periods of standing and walking
There is some bending and carrying of moderately heavy articles such as film cassettes - treatment devices - and molds with heavier lifting of wedges and specially designed shielding blocks
Patients often are assisted to achieve proper positioning - which may require reaching - lifting - or working in strained positions
The deterioration of the patient due to disease progression often requires lifting of the patient from stretchers or wheelchairs to treatment and examination tables utilizing special techniques designed to minimize the discomfort of the patient
See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
English Language Proficiency
TRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2 - section D - paragraph 5a - this part
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)
Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist - GS-8 (1) Experience
At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the knowledge - skills - and abilities/core competencies described at that level
(2) Assignment
Staff TRTs at this developmental level perform a substantially full range of basic clinical duties and basic treatment delivery modalities
They will receive guidance and directions regarding most complex treatment delivery modalities - and unfamiliar or unusual situations for complex patient clinical issues
Assignments at this level include but are not limited to set-up of the treatment room with prescribed immobilization devices and supplies for each individual patient before treatment
They deliver treatments providing basic and some advanced radiation treatment modalities on a linear accelerator
Staff TRTs conduct daily quality measures - machine warm up procedures - interpretation of output levels compared with established thresholds and other assignments
(3) Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSA): Candidates must demonstrate all the KSAs below: (a) Skill in setting up the treatment room to deliver basic and some complex radiation treatments on a linear accelerator - as prescribed by the radiation oncologist
(b) Ability to perform machine warm up procedures and interpret output levels compared with established thresholds and radiation safety principles
(c) Ability to perform moderately complex patient chart reviews by using the electronic medical record and the Record and Verify System or other similar treatment delivery systems
(d) Ability to operate the CT Simulator to perform simulations - design custom immobilization for reproducible set-ups - obtain optimal imaging and provide accurate and precise patient documentation
Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist - GS-9 (1) Experience
At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled
(2) Assignment
Employees at this level serve as staff TRTs at the full performance level independently carrying out most procedures which have varying assignments - including advanced treatment modalities and procedures
(3) Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills and Abilities
Candidates must demonstrate all the KSAs below: (a) Skill in independently setting up the patient in preparation for basic and complex radiation treatments on a linear accelerator - as prescribed by the radiation oncologist
(b) Skill in independently performing machine warm-up procedures to interpret output levels compared with established thresholds adhering to the principles of radiation safety and all aspects of quality assurance
Preferred Experience: 3-5 years of experience as a Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist (Radiation Therapist)
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-6 to
GS-9
Duties
Duties include but are not limited to: Schedules treatments in a manner as to optimize accelerator times while maintaining flexibility for emergency cases
This requires the ability to prioritize scheduled patients as well as the ability to accommodate the emergency patient who may need immediate simulation and treatment
Performs quality control of the treatment machines by taking recorded readings every morning prior to patient treatments using the dosimetry verification and record system for each energy level
Identifies individual patient by the required identification methods set forth by hospital policy before simulation or radiation treatment is delivered
Prepares contrast materials under supervision that are to be used for treatment simulations
Ensures proper use or administration of the contrast materials to avoid the risk of patient mortality - therefore it is essential that the therapist has a thorough understanding of contrast material usage
Routinely takes port/verification images on patients under radiation treatment - to maintain record of treatment accuracy in accordance to departmental procedures - verifies any changes in accordance with the physicians request
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Functional Statement #: Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
#J-18808-Ljbffr