Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist to join their dedicated Radiation Oncology team. This role offers the opportunity to provide advanced cancer care in a supportive environment, ensuring patients receive the highest quality of treatment. As a key member of the team, you will operate sophisticated equipment, manage patient simulations, and educate patients and families about their treatment. If you are passionate about making a difference in the lives of cancer patients and possess the necessary qualifications, this position could be your next career step.

Qualifications

• Must be certified in therapeutic radiologic technology by the ARRT.
• Education must be from an accredited program in radiologic technology.

Responsibilities

• Perform machine warm-up procedures and ensure radiation safety.
• Educate patients and families about ionizing radiation administration.

Skills

Radiation Safety

Patient Education

Machine Operation

CT Simulations

Chart Reviews

Education

Associate's Degree in Therapeutic Radiologic Technology

ARRT Certification in Radiation Therapy

Tools

Electronic Medical Record Systems

Linac On Board Imaging System

Job description

The Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist will be a part of the Radiation Oncology service team at the Pittsburgh VA Medical Center. The Pittsburgh VA is the primary treatment site for cancer patients residing throughout a large geographic area that require advanced and comprehensive cancer care, including radiation therapy.

Duties

The duties and functions of the Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist include but are not limited to the following:

Requirements

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: Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• English Language Proficiency: TRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English. See 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
• Education: Individuals must have successfully completed a program in therapeutic radiologic technology, evidenced by a certificate or an associate's or higher degree accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology or other accrediting bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the subsequent completion of a 12-month ED accrediting body-approved program in therapeutic radiologic technology.
  • Public Law 97-35 requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 C.F.R. Part 75. They must have successfully completed an educational program meeting or exceeding the standards described in that regulation and is accredited by an organization recognized by the ED, and be radiation therapists certified by the ARRT in Radiation Therapy (T).

• Certification: All applicants must be certified in therapeutic radiologic technology by the ARRT in Radiation Therapy (ARRT (T)).

Exception: Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for TRT certification may be given a temporary appointment under 38 U.S.C. § 7405 (a)(1)(B) for up to one year at the entry level only as a graduate TRT under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405 (c)(2)(B). Graduate TRTs may only be appointed at the entry grade level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained. Temporary graduate TRT appointments may not be extended beyond one year or converted to a new temporary appointment.

Failure to Obtain Certification: In all cases, TRTs must actively pursue meeting the requirements for certification starting from the date of their appointment. Failure to become certified within one year from the date of appointment will result in removal from the GS-0648 TRT series and may result in termination of employment.

Loss of Certification: Once certified, a TRT who fails to maintain the required certification must be removed from the occupation, which may result in termination of employment.

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).

Grandfathering Provision: All persons employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series that are also performing the duties as described in the qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held, including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation.

Grade Determinations

Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist GS-10

Experience: Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist must have at least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled, GS-09. Assignments at this level include but are not limited to: providing emergency treatment delivery, simple Monitor Unit dose calculation as assigned; scheduling simulation and treatment procedures; handling and storing radioactive materials; educating patient, family and staff on the administration of ionizing radiation; inspecting equipment for safety, operability and troubleshooting basic problems and machine issues.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Skill in independently performing machine warm up procedures and interpreting output levels compared with established thresholds adhering to the principles of radiation safety and all aspects of quality assurance.
• Ability to independently perform patient chart reviews using an electronic medical record and the Record and Verify System or other similar treatment delivery systems.
• Ability to independently perform all basic and complex CT simulations, including independently operating the CT equipment, following directives, designing custom immobilization for reproducible set-ups, obtaining optimal imaging, completing accurate data transfer for treatment planning and providing accurate and precise patient documentation.
• Ability to utilize a Linac's On Board Imaging system to interpret complex images.

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-10.

Physical Requirements:

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