Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Multi-Modality Technologist)

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Portland, OR seeks a Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Multi-Modality Technologist) to perform high-level clinical procedures using radioactive materials in a GS-11 role.

The incumbent will work in the Nuclear Medicine section within a level 1A facility, performing fusion imaging (PET/CT, SPECT/CT, PET/MR) and related diagnostic nuclear medicine tasks. Candidates must possess NMTCB or ARRT(N) certification or eligibility, US citizenship, English proficiency,

Qualifications

• United States citizenship is required
• Certification in nuclear medicine technology by NMTCB or ARRT(N) is required or eligible
• Knowledge of radiation safety, instrumentation and clinical procedures is expected
• English language proficiency in speaking and writing is required

Responsibilities

• Perform a wide range of specialized clinical procedures using radioactive materials with high scope and complexity
• Independently conduct fusion imaging such as PET/CT, SPECT/CT and/or PET/MR procedures
• Inject contrast when applicable and recognize adverse reactions
• Maintain professional standards and credentialing for continued employment

Job description

The incumbent of this position works in the Nuclear Medicine section of the Portland , OR VA Healthcare System a level 1A facility. The Nuclear Medicine Technologist (MultiModality Technologist) has responsibility for performing a wide range of specialized clinical procedures using radioactive materials at a higher level of duties which consists of significant scope and complexity, ranging in a wide variety. 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.
• 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:

In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Multi-Modality 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.
• Assignments. For all assignments above the journey level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. NMTs at this level are fully functional as an advanced NMT and carry out their assigned tasks independently. NMTs in this assignment perform fusion imaging such as PET/CT, SPECT/CT and/or PET/MR procedures that include diagnostic nuclear medicine, CT, and/or MR fused images. Multi-modality technologists must hold appropriate specific certifications in nuclear medicine (NMTCB or ARRT(N)), as well as CT (NMTCB(CT)) or ARRT (CT)), and/or MR (ARRT (MR)) applicable to independently perform the assignment duties. They carry out these complex assignments independently as part of nuclear medicine procedures. Assignments may include injection of contrast and recognition of allergic reaction, contraindications, and medication interactions. The work must be of sufficient scope and complexity to meet the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform at this level.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs:
  • i. Knowledge of contrast media, side effects, medication allergic reactions, drug interactions, and extravasation assessment.
  • ii. Skill to differentiate multi-modality protocols and adjust protocols according to patient needs, body mass index, or area of interest.
  • iii. Knowledge of unique scanning and processing parameters required of multimodality imaging.
  • iv. Ability to troubleshoot and make simple repairs to PET/CT and/or PET/MR imaging systems.
  • v. Ability to care for patients during all stages of the procedure and provide emergency response care when necessary.
  • vi. Knowledge of all contraindications for performing CT and/or MR scans.

Preferred Experience:

Cardiac experience with RB-82, pluvicto therapy, LU-177.

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:

See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service.