Summary

This position is located at the East Orange Campus - VA New Jersey HealthCare System Campus - which is located in the PET/CT Division of the Nuclear Medicine Section of the Imaging Service and functions as a staff PET/CT technologist. Primary Purpose of the Position is to function independently as a senior-level practitioner above the full performance level of a Nuclear Medicine Technologist (NMT) The NMT (PET/CT) operates Positron Emission Tomography/Computerized Tomography (PET/CT)equipment.

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.

Basic Requirements:

• a
• Citizenship
• Be a citizen 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 3.g. - of this part.) b
• 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
• Multi-Modality Certification Requirement: Candidates must possess Nuclear Medicine certification (NMTCB) or ARRT(N) and additional certification in CT and/or MR (NMTCB(CT) - ARRT(CT) - and/or ARRT (MR)) to independently perform multi-modality duties
• English Language Proficiency
• candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2 - section D - paragraph 5a - of this part
• Grade Determinations: Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Multi-Modality Technologist) - GS-11 (a) 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
• (b) Assignments
• For all assignments above the journey level - the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope - complexity (difficulty) - range of variety - and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time
• NMTs at this level are fully functional as an advanced NMT and carry out their assigned tasks independently
• NMTs in this assignment perform fusion imaging such as PET/CT - SPECT/CT and/or PET/MR procedures that include diagnostic nuclear medicine - CT - and/or MR fused images
• Multi-modality technologists must hold appropriate specific certifications in nuclear medicine (NMTCB or ARRT(N)) - as well as CT (NMTCB(CT)) or ARRT (CT)) - and/or MR (ARRT (MR)) applicable to independently perform the assignment duties
• They carry out these complex assignments independently as part of nuclear medicine procedures
• Assignments may include injection of contrast and recognition of allergic reaction - contraindications - and medication interactions
• The work must be of sufficient scope and complexity to meet the knowledge - skills - and abilities to perform at this level
• (c) Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs: i
• Knowledge of contrast media - side effects - medication allergic reactions - drug interactions - and extravasation assessment
• ii
• Skill to differentiate multi-modality protocols and adjust protocols according to patient needs - body mass index - or area of interest
• iii
• Knowledge of unique scanning and processing parameters required of multi-modality imaging
• iv
• Ability to troubleshoot and make simple repairs to PET/CT and/or PET/MR imaging systems
• v
• Ability to care for patients during all stages of the procedure and provide emergency response care when necessary
• vi
• Knowledge of all contraindications for performing CT and/or MR scans
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019

Duties

• The Nuclear Medicine Technologists (Multi-Modality) must be able to function independently and operate as a member of a multi-leveled organization
• Nuclear Medicine Technologists in this assignment perform fusion imaging such as PET/CT - SPECT/CT and/or PET/MR procedures that include diagnostic nuclear medicine - CT - and/or MR fused images
• Assignments may include injection of contrast and recognition of allergic reaction - contraindications - and medication interactions
• Duties include but are not limited to: Possess excellent venipuncture techniques using a variety of equipment - such as butterfly setups - syringes with needles and IV catheters
• The individual must be able to work without supervision and be able to set reasonable priorities
• Verify the constancy - accuracy - and linearity of survey meters and dose calibrators - or have them serviced to ensure a safe environment following radiation protection guidelines in accordance with ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) principles
• The individual of the different isotopes used
• Recognize acceptable daily QC scans and be able to perform monthly and quarterly QC as required by the manufacturer
• Must have practical knowledge and skill in the use of ancillary equipment with an understanding of how the results will affect the study outcome
• Must be able to troubleshoot and make simple repairs to PET/CT and/or PET/MR imaging systems
• The successful candidate will work collaboratively with staff Nuclear Medicine Physicians - physician extenders - and the Chief Technologist/Supervisor to optimize patient care and image quality
• Ability to educate referring physicians toward study appropriateness and patient preparation - as well as performing complex exams is desired
• Must have the skill to be able to differentiate multi-modality protocols and adjust protocols according to patient needs - body mass index - or area of interest
• Must have a high level of computer proficiency and the knowledge of unique scanning and processing parameters required of multi-modality imaging
• Expectations center on the performance of high-quality imaging consistent with protocols for prescribed examination
• Must be attentive to the needs of the patient and be able to care for patients during all stages of the procedure and provide emergency response care when necessary
• Must be able to communicate and anticipate possible limitations in view of the capabilities of the imaging equipment
• Must provide appropriate care while the patient is in their charge while simultaneously assessing for causes of potential artifact with the knowledge of physiological processes as they relate to altered radiopharmaceutical uptake and/or artifactual findings
• This includes checking the patient for evidence of contamination or attenuating objects
• Must have knowledge of CT and/or MR radiographic techniques utilized in quality control and acquisition parameters
• The technologist must be able to evaluate - modify - and adapt procedures as necessary as well as develop/write new protocols for imaging procedures as part of a collaborative effort with the Radiology Director and Chief Technologist/Supervisor
• Must be experienced and appropriately trained in ordering - receipt - recording - and storage - of incoming radioactive materials according to NRC/NHPP - and when applicable DOT regulations
• Radiation Safety: Follows radiation safety practices to minimize exposure to patient - staff and self
• This is achieved by the use of shielding and appropriate PPE - with understanding and practice of ALARA principles
• Performs daily and weekly laboratory surveys to verify absence of radioactive contamination
• Maintains records associated with receipt - administration - and disposal of radionuclides as mandated by the NHPP and NRC
• Immediately reports to RSO any packages not compliant with regulations
• Understands consequences of improper packaging
• Understands and applies calculation of exposures from both X-Ray and photons emitted from the wide variety of isotopes used in nuclear medicine
• Calculates exposure rates based on administered dose and published physiologic distribution of pharmaceuticals
• Performs therapeutic nuclear medicine procedures and understands the significance of post therapy exposure levels and restrictions on patient release from the service commensurate with the home environment
• Assists the RSO in establishing routine monitoring of rooms associated with the Nuclear Medicine service area to document excessive exposure rates
• Performs other duties as required within the scope of a Nuclear medicine Technologist
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 8:00AM-4:30PM Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 24666-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized