Nuclear Medicine Technologist

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Murfreesboro (TN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Medical Imaging Service, Nuclear Medicine program seeks a Nuclear Medicine Technologist at GS-11 level. The role is fully functional as Advanced Nuclear Medicine Technologist and works independently.

Applicants may be referred if education or certification requirements are pending; citizenship and NMTCB/ARRT certification are required. Emphasis on quality scans, radiation safety, protocol development, and patient education.

Qualifications

• Certification in nuclear medicine technology by NMTCB or ARRT (N).
• Program completion from NMTCB-recognized, JRCNMT-accredited, or DOE-recognized schools with clinical training.
• Structured clinical training ensuring competency in radiation safety, instrumentation, and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Perform high-quality scans and quality control images with independent judgment.
• Apply knowledge of radiopharmaceutical uptake and artefacts in studies.
• Obtain and document pre-therapy information and provide post-therapy education.
• Develop and implement new imaging protocols and optimize safety measures.

Skills

Quality imaging

Independent judgment

Radiopharmaceutical safety

Protocol development

Education

NMTCB/ARRT certification

Job description

This Nuclear Medicine Technologist position is assigned to the Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Medical Imaging Service in the Nuclear Medicine program. TVHS is a 1a complexity facility that provides services in specialized and complex areas of diagnostic imaging and a comprehensive Nuclear Medicine program. The Nuclear Medicine Technologist employed at this level is fully functional as an Advanced Nuclear Medicine Technologist and is able to cany out the assigned tasks independently.

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,
• 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

In addition to meeting the basic requirements listed above, applicants must meet the following grade requirements for a GS-11 Nuclear Medicine Technologist:

Experience:

For assignments above the journey level, the candidate must have 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-9), directly related to the position being filled, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate 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 https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

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

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands of the work includes: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over; moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds; pushing up to 4 hours; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers, good dexterity (both hands required); prolonged walking, prolonged standing; repeated bending; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid permitted); speed in working; and emotional stability. Must have the ability to stand and work while wearing a lead apron for possibly long periods of time.