Nuclear Medicine Technologist (PET/CT)

Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Tibor Rubin VA Medical Center in Long Beach is hiring a Nuclear Medicine Technologist to perform PET/CT imaging and related diagnostic procedures. Candidates should be certified in nuclear medicine technology, possess significant technical skills, and be able to work independently in a clinical environment. This role involves adhering to strict safety protocols and managing advanced imaging equipment. Opportunities for career advancement and professional development are provided.

Qualifications

• Must be certified in nuclear medicine technology.
• Demonstrated technical knowledge and skills required.
• Ability to work independently under stress.

Responsibilities

• Perform various nuclear medicine procedures, including PET/CT.
• Analyze clinical histories and consult radiologists.
• Ensure adherence to radiation safety regulations and procedures.

Skills

English Language Proficiency

Ability to produce and assess high-quality images

Knowledge of radiation safety

Investigative skills for data documentation

Ability to manage technical equipment

Education

Certification in Nuclear Medicine Technology

Completion of accredited NMTCB program

Tools

CT and SPECT imaging systems

Job description

Summary

The Tibor Rubin VA Medical Center in Long Beach - CA is looking for one (1) Nuclear Medicine Technologist (PET/ CT).

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)
• (PLEASE UPLOAD CERTIFICATION) 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
• (PLEASE UPLOAD CERTIFICATION) 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: Experience
• 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
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs: Ability to produce and assess high-quality fusion and quality control images using independent judgment 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 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 positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) - single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) and/or positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance (PET/MR) procedures that include non-diagnostic low dose CT attenuation corrected or MR fused images
• They carry out these complex assignments independently
• Assignments may include advanced therapies
• The work must be of sufficient scope and complexity to meet the knowledge - skills - and abilities to perform at this level
• Preferred Experience: The work requires a professional knowledge of the field of Nuclear Medicine Technology and those aspects of chemistry - physics - mathematics - and the biomedical sciences that relate to Nuclear Medicine
• The following are the requirements for appointment as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
• Nuclear Medicine Technologists (NMTs) perform a wide variety of functional studies of organs and/or systems involving static and dynamic imaging procedures - injection of radionuclides and radiopharmaceuticals - and the use of such specialized equipment as integrated computer/imaging systems - Single photon Emission Tomography (SPECT) - Positron Emission Tomography- Computed Tomography (PET and PET/CT)
• In combination with a variety of radioimmunoassays (in vivo and in vitro procedures) such as Pyrophosphate - Ultra tag Red Blood Cell labeling - and others
• Other functions performed include Radiation Safety procedures - assistance with Radionuclide Therapies - database management which includes management of images with the Hospital Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) - Veteran Health Information system - and Technology Architecture (VISTA) Radiology Package Systems
• The technologist rotates with other technologists regularly through the above-mentioned areas
• 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: This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - stooping - sitting - bending - pulling and pushing
• Transferring patients and objects may be required
• The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures
• The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disorders
• The incumbent must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - able to shift priorities based on patient needs.

Duties

• This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until August 29 - 2025
• Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available
• The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be June 12 - 2025 - with subsequent cut-off dates for referral on the 1st and 15th of each month
• Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf https://vacareers.va.gov/employment-benefits/ Duties include but are not limited to: Receives and understands Nuclear Medicine exam requests or instructions for procedures from radiologists or medical officers for accuracy and appropriateness
• The incumbent reviews each requisition for proper clinical history - and the area of interest is consistent with the exam requested
• Consult with a radiologist if a discrepancy is noted
• Analyze and document - in writing - the consequences of improper packaging of radioactive materials
• Determines who needs special monitoring - how to establish a monitoring program for radiation safety - or the performance of procedures
• Ability to recognize - gather data - supporting data for - and to properly document excessive radiation exposures - or other unsafe working conditions
• Assists in or performs Nuclear Medicine therapeutic procedures with strict adherence to written directives - radiation safety - federal regulatory guidelines - policies - and procedures
• Selects - performs - evaluates - and monitors the performances of test procedures using manual and/or instrumental techniques per established protocols
• Recognizes and reacts to indicators of malfunction
• locates and implements corrections
• Documents (writes up) problems - data - and solutions
• Performs and monitors special studies including liver - brain - bone - lung - cardiovascular - and endocrine studies - and assists physician with therapies (I-131 - Xofigo radium Ra 223 dichloride - Lutetium-177 - Y-90 TheraSphere - Zevalin)
• Studies include planar-single-photon imaging - single-photon-emission computed tomography (SPECT) - and PET/CT scanners - which are integrated SPECT gamma cameras or PET scan studies
• Additional CT training and credentialing will be expected
• The Technologist must be able to make an independent patient assessment and plan the study or test ahead of time with this in mind - whether it is as routine - rare/specialized or research imaging and a physiological function study
• Secures patient's confidence and cooperation
• Conducts quality control procedures on equipment - computers - and products - and maintains proper records for quality control reports
• Ability to develop and write up new imaging and diagnostic testing protocols with the supervisor
• Implements and manages protocols for new procedures - both research and clinical - in conjunction with physicians
• Operates - maintains - calibrates - standardizes - and adjusts instruments
• Verifies correct instrument operation using established procedures - quality control checks - and monitoring
• Identifies the cause of common problems via troubleshooting and makes simple adjustments as necessary
• Implements or assists in implementing a Radiation Safety Program that is tasked with ensuring radiation safety activities are being performed per approved and required NRC procedures and principles of ALARA
• Ability to calculate exposure rates
• Keeps records and documentation of the Radiation Safety Program on file and readily accessible for inspections
• Evaluate the validity of the data concerning the ordered procedure and accepted procedural protocols
• Correlates image and quantitative data with patient data (i.e. - history and medications) to verify results
• Performs additional tests to clarify or confirm abnormal patient results
• Recognizes abnormal results that require immediate attention by the physician and reports them directly
• Responsible for the generation of laboratory results from the work area into the imaging PACS computer system - and for the editing and verification of the results recorded
• Ability to handle the decrease in staffing or increase in workload
• Incumbent may be required to perform other duties common to the Nuclear Medicine Section as assigned
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 06:30 am - 3:00 pm or 7:00 AM - 3:30 PM (rotating schedule) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized