Nuclear Medicine Technologist

Summary

The incumbent will be tasked with independently performing fusion imaging, such as positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT), single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT), and complex PET procedures that include non-diagnostic low dose CT attenuation corrected fused images. The incumbent will also be required to perform advanced therapies involving radiopharmaceuticals.

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Duties

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Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Ability to recognize improper packaging of radioactive material and take appropriate actions.
• Ability to perform radiopharmaceutical preparation. Familiarity with hot lab procedures.
• Ability to develop new protocols for imaging procedures.
• Flexibility to handle a decrease in staffing or increase in workload.
• Ability to coordinate workload with other technologists to maintain efficient functioning of the clinic.
• Receive and interpret requests for procedures. Evaluate the suitability of the procedure requests and obtain physician review if request is thought to be inappropriate.
• Selects, performs, evaluates and monitors the performance of test procedures using manual and/or instrumental techniques in accordance with established protocols.
• Performs and monitors special studies including liver, brain, bone, lung, cardiovascular, and endocrine studies, and assists physician with radiopharmaceutical therapies (i.e., Lu-177 Dotatate, Iodine-131, Samarium-153, Strontium-89, Yttrium-90 Zevalin, and Radium-223). Studies include planar-single-photon imaging, SPECT, SPECT/CT, and PET/CT scans. CT training and credentialing is preferred.
• Demonstrates practical knowledge and skill in the use of ancillary equipment with an understanding of how the results will affect the study outcome. Operates, maintains, calibrates, standardizes, and adjusts instruments. Verifies correct instrument operation using established procedures and quality control checks and monitoring. Identifies the cause of common problems and makes simple corrections.
• Knowledge of CT and/or MR techniques utilized in quality control and acquisition parameters.
• Responsible for the generation and verification of laboratory results and transfer of data from the work area into the imaging Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS).

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. work schedule, but work schedule may be adjusted to meet the needs of the service.

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 000000, Nuclear Medicine Technician

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

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 :

• 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:
  • 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.
• Exceptions. Non-certified applicants, who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for NMTCB or ARRT (N) certification, may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate NMT under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405 (a)(1)(D). Failure to obtain certification [within 1 year from the date of appointment] is justification for termination of the temporary appointment. This may result in termination of employment.
  • Failure to Obtain Credential. In all cases, NMTs must actively pursue meeting certification requirements starting from the date of their appointment. Failure to become certified within 1 year from date of appointment will result in removal from the GS-0601 NMT occupation and may result in termination of employment.]
  • Loss of Credential. [Once certified, NMTs must maintain a full, valid, and unrestricted certification. Loss of credential will result in removal from the GS-0601 NMT occupation and may result in termination of employment.] For occupations which require an active certification at all grade levels, at the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may be reassigned to another occupation for which he/she qualifies if a placement opportunity exists. For occupations which require an active credential (licensure/certification/registration) in assignments above the journey level only, at the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may remain at an appropriate lower grade level in the occupation when both of the following apply: the credential is not a requirement and a placement opportunity exists.
• English Language Proficiency. [NMTs] must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, of 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).

Grade Determinations : Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Fusion Imaging 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 (GS-9).
  • Ability to document excessive radiation exposure in the working environment.
  • Knowledge of medical events requiring documentation and the ability to properly document them and make recommendations to the radiation safety officer (RSO).
  • Ability to communicate orally and in writing post iodine-131 therapy radiation safety precautions.
  • Ability to troubleshoot gamma camera and auxiliary equipment problems.
  • Ability to analyze computer generated data for technical quality and artifacts and initiate corrective measures.
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities . The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical GS-11 grade KSAs:
  • Ability to produce and assess high quality fusion and quality control images using independent judgement to recognize abnormal or unacceptable results.
  • Practical knowledge and skill in the 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.
  • Knowledge of CT and/or MR radiographic techniques utilized in quality control and acquisition parameters.
  • Ability to recognize and correct fusion imaging system errors.

Preferred Experience: Two (2) years of Oncology PET/CT experience, general Nuclear Medicine experience, and at least 1 year of therapy experience.

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

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is also a GS-11.

Physical Requirements: Moderate to heavy lifting is required: This is necessary to help patients on and off examination tables and to assist other technologists with lifting patients out of wheel chairs and off gurneys onto examination tables when necessary. The incumbent must be able to move and maneuver medical equipment. Pushing (1 Hour), Reaching above Shoulder, Use of fingers, Both hands required, Walking (2 hours), Standing (2 hours), Hearing (aid Permitted).

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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.