Summary

The Albany VA Medical Center's Diagnostic Imaging Department is currently recruiting for one Nuclear Medicine Technologist. The incumbent performs a wide variety of functional imaging and non-imaging radionuclide studies - requiring the administration of radiopharmaceuticals and the use of specialized equipment. The work requires a professional knowledge of the field of Nuclear Medicine technology and various aspects that relate to Nuclear Medicine and radiation safety.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• 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: Completion of a NMTCB-recognized nuclear medicine technology program - OR 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
• Grade Determinations: Nuclear Medicine Technologist 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
• 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 at this level serve in advanced assignments and will have varying assignments - including special and complex imaging procedures - advanced therapies - clinical instruction - and quality management duties within the program
• Advanced therapies may include - but are not limited to - yttrium-90 - radium - and palliative bone pain therapy
• Regardless of the nature of the specific assignment - the work must be of sufficient scope and complexity to meet the knowledge - skills - and abilities to perform at this level
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs: i
• Ability to produce and assess high quality scans and quality control images using independent judgement to recognize abnormal or unacceptable results
• ii
• Knowledge and skill in use of ancillary equipment with an understanding of how the results will affect the study outcome
• iii
• Knowledge of physiologic processes as they relate to altered radiopharmaceutical uptake and/or artefactual findings
• iv
• Ability to obtain - assess - and document pre-therapy patient preparation information and provide post-therapy patient education following proper administration of advanced therapy dose
• v
• Ability to develop new protocols for imaging procedures
• vi
• Ability to analyze instances of increased radiation exposure levels and recommend measures to reduce
• vii
• Ability to analyze consequences of improper packaging of radioactive material and take appropriate actions
• English Language Proficiency
• Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2 - section D - paragraph 5a - of this part
• References: VA Handbook 5005/125 Part II Appendix G19 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-11
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019

Duties

• Duties and Responsibilities Independently performs routine and complex diagnostic imaging procedures including static - dynamic - whole body - and SPECT scans
• Prepares and administers radiopharmaceuticals by injection - by inhalation - or orally - taking into account precautions relative to radiation hazard - sterility - and radiochemical purity
• Calculates volume and amount of activity following protocols approved by Chief of Nuclear Medicine
• Has working knowledge of the procedure manual protocols but can independently create new or modify existing imaging protocols as required by the clinical presentation and request of the nuclear physician
• Receives patients - appropriately verifies patient identity - explains procedure - answers questions relating to the procedure - positions patient for all necessary views and tends to their comfort for the duration of the procedure
• Obtains pertinent clinical data from the patient - electronic chart - requisition - and patient interview for choosing appropriate imaging protocol for all procedures
• determines blood glucose level for PET exams
• Administers F-18 - Ga-68 and operates PET-CT scanner for acquisition of PET scans and CT for anatomic localization and attenuation correction
• Understands and applies calculation of exposures from both X-Ray and photons emitted from Fluorine-18 and the many other isotopes used in nuclear medicine
• Determines if additional information is needed for clarification of test results
• Identifies positive results and notifies the Nuclear Medicine Radiologist immediately
• The technologist ensures that informed consent and written directive are properly obtained and dose accurately assayed
• Follows radiation safety practices to minimize exposure to patient - staff and self
• This is achieved using 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 for nuclear medicine - radiation oncology - and research labs as mandated by the NHPP and NRC
• Immediately reports to RSO any packages not compliant with regulations
• Maintains records and files of exams performed on patients
• Registers and edits patients in the computerized Radiology Information System (VISTA) as well as the work list management portion of the PACS interface
• Performs physiologic and pharmacologic stress testing under the supervision of cardiology staff
• Explains exams to patients so that the patient understands what is to be done as well as what hazards - if any - are possible
• May be required by procedure or patient's condition to monitor vital signs - recognize allergic reactions and initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation
• Calibrates and performs quality control on gamma cameras and a variety of non-imaging instruments - including well and liquid scintillation counters - thyroid uptake probe - surgical probe for intraoperative procedures - and various survey meters
• Performs prescribed dose calibrator linearity and accuracy checks and provides radiation safety training for new hospital employees
• 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 7:00am - 3:30pm and on-call rotation Functional Statement #:21V92-A