Nuclear Medicine Technologist

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; San Antonio (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Nuclear Medicine Technologist who will independently perform specialized nuclear medicine procedures, including advanced fusion imaging (PET/CT, SPECT/CT, PET/MR), therapies, quality control, and equipment maintenance in accordance with NRC, DOT, OSHA and related guidelines.

The role requires certification by NMTCB or ARRT (N). English proficiency and timely completion of licensure requirements are essential to qualify for appointment.

Qualifications

• Certified in nuclear medicine technology by NMTCB or ARRT (N).
• NMTCB/ARRT eligibility typically via NM program or JRCNMT accreditation with clinical training.
• Must be proficient in English (spoken and written).

Responsibilities

• Perform a wide range of nuclear medicine procedures including imaging and therapies.
• Conduct advanced fusion imaging (PET/CT, SPECT/CT, PET/MR) and image interpretation.
• Perform quality control, equipment maintenance, and ensure radiation safety compliance.

Skills

Nuclear medicine imaging

PET/CT & SPECT/CT imaging

Quality control

Radiation safety

Radiopharmaceutical preparation

Protocol development

Patient education

Education

NMTCB or ARRT (N) certification

Nuclear medicine program or JRCNMT accreditation

Tools

Equipment maintenance

Ancillary imaging equipment

Job description

The Nuclear Medicine Technologist at this level independently performs a wide range of specialized nuclear medicine procedures, including imaging, advanced fusion imaging (PET/CT, SPECT/CT, PET/MR), therapies, quality control, and equipment maintenance while following NRC, DOT, OSHA and related guidelines. Complex, advanced-level assignments are handled at least 25% of the time. 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: [(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.
• English Language Proficiency. Nuclear Medicine Technologists must be proficient in spoken and written English.

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. The candidate must have 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-09) directly related to the position being filled, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level.
• Demonstrated 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.

Preferred Experience

• Minimum of three years experience preferred.
• Demonstrates expertise as a Certified Nuclear Medicine Technologist, with proficiency in hybrid imaging modalities such as PET/CT and SPECT/CT.
• Strong background in advance imaging techniques, radiopharmaceutical preparation, quality control, and radiation safety protocols.
• Additional experience in post-processing, quantitative analysis, and multidisciplinary collaboration to optimize patient outcomes is highly desirable.

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.

Physical Requirements

Moderate lifting (15-44 pounds), moderate carrying (15-44 pounds), use of fingers with both hands, walking (4 hours) and standing (4 hours) with both legs. Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously. Near vision correctable at 13' to 16' to Jaeger 1 to 4. Hearing (aid permitted). Mental and emotional stability required. See VA Directive Handbook 5019.