Nuclear Medical Technologist

Summary

Nuclear Medicine Technologists have responsibility for providing a wide range of specialized nuclear medicine procedures, including diagnostic imaging, therapy with unsealed radioactive materials, in-vivo or in-vitro cell labeling; evaluating abnormal results; setting up and monitoring quality control; working within guidelines from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Department of Transportation, National Health Physics Program, Occupational Safety and Health Association among others.

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Duties

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Nuclear Medicine Technologists (NMT) perform a broad range of imaging and non-imaging nuclear medicine studies using radiopharmaceuticals and specialized diagnostic equipment. A professional-level expertise in nuclear medicine technology, including related principles of chemistry, physics, mathematics, biomedical science, and radiation safety are required.

Major Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Prepare, assay, and administer radiopharmaceutical doses by injection, inhalation or ingestion
• Be proficient in introducing intravenous catheters in patients for administration of radiopharmaceuticals and /or medications
• Obtain pertinent clinical data from the patient, electronic chart, requisition, and interviewing the patient and / or family
• Move wheelchair and litter patients safely using ergonomic methods of patient transfer
• Operate nuclear medicine equipment such as gamma cameras
• Dose calibrators for various patient procedures
• Be knowledgeable regarding possible side effects of radiopharmaceuticals and medications
• Take immediate action to remedy any noted effects
• Knowledgeable in three dimensional anatomy
• Instruct patient, family and nursing staff in radiation safety precautions
• Properly monitor and store any radioactive waste for disposal
• Demonstrate a thorough understanding of personnel requiring film badges
• Determine exposure patters and recommend actions to reduce exposure levels
• Assure all Nuclear Medicine, Medical Center, VISN and Radiation Safety policies are effectively followed

Work Schedule : Monday - Friday | 7:00 am - 3:30 pm CST || Mandatory On-Call After Hour Duty

Telework : Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement # : 000000

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives : Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements :

• 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.

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 :

Nuclear Medicine Technologist GS-11

• Experience. 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.
• Demonstrate Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities. The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs
  • Ability to produce and assess high quality scans and quality control images using independent judgement to recognize abnormal or unacceptable results.
  • Knowledge and skill in 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.
  • Ability to obtain, assess, and document pre-therapy patient preparation information and provide post-therapy patient education following proper administration of advanced therapy dose.
  • Ability to develop new protocols for imaging procedures.
  • Ability to analyze instances of increased radiation exposure levels and recommend measures to reduce.
  • Ability to analyze consequences of improper packaging of radioactive material and take appropriate actions.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit

This position is above the full performance level. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-11.

Physical Requirements: Work is normally accomplished in a clinical setting, although some administrative duties are required as well. Due to the nature of the work, the incumbent will be exposed to stressful working situations that will require a mature attitude and collective reasoning to overcome. The incumbent may be called upon to assist in the receipt, storage, and distribution of radiopharmaceuticals, supplies and equipment. The primary duties of the incumbent consists of walking, standing, sitting, bending and climbing up to 8 hours per tour. Lifting, pulling, pushing and carrying items weighing up to 50 pounds is also a primary function of the incumbent.

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit:

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.