Lead Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist

Summary

Position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

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Duties

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• 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.
• Performs daily imaging procedures to ensure correct operations.
• Identifies individual patients by the required identification methods set forth by hospital policy and department policy procedures.
• Knowledge of consultations, simulation, and treatment planning and treatment procedures.
• Ability to determine the appropriate timely sequence for patient studies and any special orders required.
• Verifies patient consent prior to initiating CT simulation.
• Coordinates with radiology for PET/MRI scans.
• Reactions on the part of the patient require immediate attention so that harm does not come to the patient.
• Must be able to communicate with Nurse manger, BIOMED, FMS, Logistics, supply and other hospital staff as needed and relay message to the Chief RTT.
• Ability to assist the chief RTT and prepare for Apex, Joint commission and others.
• Properly operates CT simulator for 4DCT, SBRT, SRS, DIBH, HypeArc , supine/prone breast, Keloid, extremities, and provides reproducible patient treatment position sets-ups.
• Provides custom patient immobilization devices as instructed.
• Indicates on patient's skin with tattoos and or markings required to locate treatment area.
• Understands the computer operations to ensure proper control of computer patient data input to ensure accuracy of data output.
• Verifies patient's treatment area daily in the treatment machine vaults such as markings, tapes, or skin reactions and verify shifts/SSD's.
• Performs simulation verification before prescribed treatment.
• Accurately reproduces initial simulation set-up, with proper patient positioning, immobilizing devices, to ensure proper alignment and quality treatment.
• Obtains isocenter verification as needed by the use to cone beam CT and or the use of the on-board imaging system.
• Utilizes electronic radiation treatment chart for set-up instructions, field size, field shaping, SSD, and other treatment.
• Employs any necessary accessory beam restriction devices, i.e., bolus.
• Delivers prescribed mode of treatment in accordance with prescribed radiation prescription
• Maintains patient records and files.
• Routinely takes port/verification images on patients under radiation treatment.
• Check each patient for correct billing and appointment schedules on aria and communicate with MSA as needed.
• Practices radiation safety to reduce exposure to patients, staff, and self, in compliance with department and VA radiation safety.
• Maintains adequate supplies in the department, treatment vault and workstations.
• Maintains treatment rooms and equipment in a clean, neat, and safe condition always, as well as ensures appropriate supply availability.
• Works professionally with all team members of the radiation therapy team to effectively and efficiently accomplish the goals of the radiation therapy team.
• Providing the patients with accurate and compassionate treatment.
• Participates in reviewing, revising or authoring policies and procedures as needed or assigned.
• Provides technical oversight and assigned personnel, utilizing staff to provide the optimal level of patient care each day.
• Participates in the planning, direction, and distribution on work assignments of the lower grade level therapeutic radiologic technologist. Evaluates and reports on progression of workload and adjusts as required in accordance with established procedures and protocols.
• Ability to resolve informal employee complaints and minor differences of opinions.
• Instructs and mentors new recruits within the department.
• Evaluates and assists in training therapeutic radiologic technologists on newly acquired equipment.
• Participates in QA (quality assurance) activities to include and provide data collection, data analysis and trends and reports on changes based on data collection.
• Schedules therapists appropriately to ensure that coverage is adequate for clinic needs.

Work Schedule : Monday to Friday - 07:00am - 03:30pm

Telework : Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement # : 000000

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives : Not Authorized

EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.Contact View email address on click.appcast.io , the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more

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.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• 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 may be required to serve a 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

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.

Best qualified applicants will meet the following criteria in addition to the minimum qualifications for this position.

1. Therapeutic Radiologic Technologists at a GS-11 level must possess a minimum of five (5) years clinical TRT experience.

2. Employees at this level must be able to carry out their assigned tasks independently in all areas of radiation therapy.

3. The competencies will substantially exceed the full performance level and are unique and require advanced knowledge in all areas of radiation therapy specialties.

4. Technologists may give guidance and direction regarding unfamiliar or unusual situations for more complex patient issues to lower grade therapists, contractors, or fee base therapists.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS .

Citizenship.

Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed

when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance

with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a).

Education.

Individuals must have successfully completed a program in therapeutic

radiologic technology, evidenced by a certificate or an associate's or higher degree

accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology

or other accrediting bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (ED)

and the subsequent completion of a 12-month ED accrediting body-approved

program in therapeutic radiologic technology.

Public Law 97-35 requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet

the credentialing standards in 42 C.F.R. Part 75. They must have successfully

completed an educational program meeting or exceeding the standards described in

that regulation and is accredited by an organization recognized by the ED, and be

radiation therapists certified by the ARRT in Radiation Therapy (T).

Certification.

All applicants must be certified in therapeutic radiologic technology by

the ARRT in Radiation Therapy (ARRT (T)).

(1) All applicants must be certified in therapeutic radiologic technology by the ARRT

in Radiation Therapy (ARRT (T)).

(d) Failure to Obtain Certification. In all cases, TRTs must actively pursue

meeting the requirements for certification starting from the date of their

appointment. Failure to become certified within one year from the date of

appointment will result in removal from the GS-0648 TRT series and may

result in termination of employment.

(3) Loss of Certification. Once certified, a TRT who fails to maintain the

required certification must be removed from the occupation, which may result

in termination of employment.

e. Physical Requirements.

Heavy Lifting and carrying (50 lbs), straight pulling/pushing, hand-over-hand pushing (2 hours), reaching above shoulder level, use of fingers and both hands required, walking/standing/crawling (5 hours), repeated bending (3 hours), ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of color, emotional and mental stability.

f. English Language Proficiency.

TRTs must be proficient in spoken and written

English. See 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

GRADE DETERMINATIONS. In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the

following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates:

Lead Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist, GS-11

(1) Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade

level directly related to the position being filled.

(2) Assignments.

The lead TRT functions as a team leader for a group of TRTs who

provide the full range of general and complex therapeutic radiologic oncology

treatment procedures.

The lead TRT provides technical oversight, distributes work

assignments and provides input on performance and competencies. Assignments

at this level include, but are not limited to: approving leave requests for a few

hours or in emergency situations; instructing and training TRT staff on newly

acquired equipment; providing orientation to staff, students, residents and others

as requested; and assisting with staff scheduling, quality assurance, compliance,

authoring, reviewing and updating procedures and policies. In addition, the lead

TRT serves as the technical mentor, trainer and coach for the staff. The lead TRT

is accountable to the next higher-level supervisor.

(3) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate

all the KSAs below:

(a) Ability to provide technical oversight, assure compliance with standard

operating procedures, distribute work assignments to lower level radiation

therapists and provide input for performance appraisals and competencies.

(b) Skill in effective communication of all aspects of patient care with the radiation

oncology team to include facilitating all essential communication to the Chief

Radiation Therapist or leadership regarding clinical and operational issues.

(c) Ability to independently deliver, mentor and provide oversight to lower level

TRTs with basic and complex radiation treatments on a linear accelerator, as

prescribed by the radiation oncologist.

(d) Ability to instruct and train TRTs on the Record and Verify System (or other

similar treatment delivery systems), newly acquired equipment, devices and

products within the service.

(e) Ability to resolve informal employee disputes and concerns using problem

solving skills.

(f) Ability to develop local policies and standard operating procedures.

(g) Ability to perform lead responsibilities such facilitating quality improvement

activities, conducting in-service and staff meetings, conducting other

departmental meetings as requested

(h) Skill in facilitating chart rounds.

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).

Preferred Experience:

Therapeutic Radiologic Technologists at a GS-11 level must possess a minimum of five (5) years clinical TRT experience.

Employees at this level must be able to carry out their assigned tasks independently in all areas of radiation therapy.

The competencies will substantially exceed the full performance level and are unique and require advanced knowledge in all areas of radiation therapy specialties.

Technologists may give guidance and direction regarding unfamiliar or unusual situations for more complex patient issues to lower grade therapists, contractors, or fee base therapists.

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

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11.

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

"Whole Health is an approach to health care that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their life to the fullest. The VA is committed to Whole Health and values Veteran and Employee health and wellbeing. As a VA employee, you will practice Whole Health in an environment that supports personalized and proactive care."

OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate whole health care to Veterans?

The DC Medical Center, located in sight of the Nation's Capitol, provides care to Veterans. Offering tertiary care in a Complexity Level IB hospital, allows the multidisciplinary staff to provide comprehensive primary and specialty care in medicine, surgery, neurology and psychiatry."

The VA has adopted Core Values and Characteristics that apply universally across the Department. The five Core Values define "who we are," our culture, and how we care for Veterans, their families and other beneficiaries.

The Values are I ntegrity, C ommitment, A dvocacy, R espect and E xcellence (" I CARE "). As a VA professional, your opportunities are endless. With many openings in the multiple functions of VA, you will have a wide range of opportunities and leadership positions at your fingertips.

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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