Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist (Dosimetrist)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; San Juan (PR); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

EDRP Eligible

Ad-hoc telework

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Medical Dosimetrists to develop accurate and deliverable treatment plans as prescribed by the radiation oncologist. The role requires contouring critical structures, performing image fusion during planning, and ensuring high standards of QA and patient safety.

Strong collaboration with physics and therapy staff is essential. Duties include CT simulation support, dose planning with advanced techniques (IMRT/VMAT), and ensuring timely delivery of

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; MDCB certification required.
• Accredited medical dosimetry program (JRCERT) required or equivalent.
• Must be proficient in English and meet citizenship/education requirements.

Responsibilities

• Produce complex treatment plans per radiation oncologist prescription.
• Contour critical structures and tumor volumes for planning.
• Import images from CT/MRI/PET for fusion and planning.
• Perform QA verifications and ensure adherence to procedures.
• Coordinate with staff to ensure timely workflow and patient safety.

Skills

Treatment planning

Image fusion

Contour delineation

QA procedures

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

MDCB certification

Tools

Mosaiq

Aria

Job description

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

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
• English Language Proficiency: Medical Dosimetrists must be proficient in spoken and written English
• See 38 U.S.C.
• 7403(f)
• Education: Effective January 1, 2017 - candidates are required to hold a minimum of a bachelor's degree and graduate from a medical dosimetry program of at least 12 months in duration
• The medical dosimetry program must be accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) - or other accrediting bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
• JRCERT is the accrediting agency for the medical dosimetry programs recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
• Exception: Candidates who graduated prior to January 1, 2017 are considered to have met the basic education requirement provided they meet all Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board (MDCB) requirements and are in good standing
• Certification: All applicants must be certified in medical dosimetry by the MDCB
• Certified Medical Dosimetry (CMD) is the recognized credential for Medical Dosimetrists
• NOTE: CMDs who perform therapeutic radiologic technologist duties must also possess ARRT(T) certification and be assigned to a functional statement that combines both types of work
• NOTE: The Consumer-Patient Radiation Health and Safety Act of 1981 - P.L. 97-35 requires persons who administer Therapeutic Radiological procedures to meet the credentialing standards in 42 C.F.R §75
• They must have completed an educational program meeting or exceeding the standards described in that regulation and be accredited by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or be a Radiation Therapist certified in medical dosimetry
• 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: GS-12 Experience: At this level - candidates must possess at least one year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level
• Experience include but not limited to: developing accurate and deliverable complex treatment plans and image importing for fusion during the planning process
• Medical Dosimetrists will contour critical structures and tumor volumes
• They provide input of radiation safety practices - quality standards and abide by all governing bodies and standard operating procedures
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following technical (Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities) KSAs: Knowledge of the care and use of radioactive resources for implementation and treatment delivery
• Skill at effective communication and leadership as demonstrated by providing orientation and training for staff - providing input for yearly appraisals - directing progress and coordination of workload - and ensuring compliance with standard operating procedures and directives to provide continuity of care
• Skill in providing guidance and expertise related to all aspects of the treatment planning process
• Skill to independently perform complex treatment procedures as evidenced by completing tasks such as developing and troubleshooting highly complex isodose treatment plans delineating critical structures and tumor volumes - performing weekly chart checks - performing QA verifications and providing training on all aspects of the Record and Verify System such as Mosaiq or Aria
• Ability to resolve complex physical and geometric errors in radiation equipment - simulation procedures and treatment delivery implementation
• Ability to follow protocols including - but not limited to developing and implementing policies and standard operating procedures - participating in research programs - ensuring compliance with the radiation safety office - national program office - and accrediting agencies - and following established quality standard measures
• Ability to apply a broad range of specific methods of radiation measurements including - but not limited to - diode - ion chamber - thermoluminescent dosimeter - or film measurement as directed by a qualified Medical Physicist and perform or assist with the QA procedures as directed by a qualified Medical Physicist
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: The work requires long periods of sitting and computer work
• There is some bending - light lifting and light carrying - under 15 pounds
• Some walking and standing is needed to verify patient position during simulation

Duties

• The medical dosimetrist utilizes extensive knowledge and training to produce acceptable treatment plans following the prescription of the radiation oncologist
• Recognizing critical structures - beams at different energy levels - the behavior of numerous tumors - the tolerance level of radiation in the different regions of the human body - and the ability to independently generate multiple treatment plans utilizing various combinations of wedges - boluses - and blocking techniques are critical to this position
• Duties include but are not limited to: developing accurate and deliverable complex treatment plans and image importing for fusion during the planning process
• Contour critical structures and tumor volumes
• Provide input or assistance with the use or necessity of ancillary treatment devices - patient immobilization techniques and other patient positioning techniques as needed for simulation or treatment
• Assist with computed tomography (CT) simulation in a competent and courteous manner - and provides instruction as needed
• Ensures CT scans are promptly delivered to dosimetry for image formatting to assure smooth patient flow
• Import diagnostic imaging studies from multiple media types and image fusion utilizing CT - magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) - and positron emission tomography (PET) - positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET/CT) for complex treatment planning
• Delineate and accurately contour critical structures and tumor volumes utilized for development of a deliverable treatment plan through an in-depth knowledge of cross-sectional anatomy and all diagnostic imaging modalities
• Utilize computer treatment software to develop an accurate deliverable complex plan (e.g. - 3D conformal - intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) - Volumetric Arc Therapy (VMAT) - and stereotactic techniques) - dose limitation to critical structures - Record and Verify software - and quality assurance (QA) methods following the directive outlined by the radiation oncologist
• Work Schedule: 7:00 AM -3:30 PM (Monday-Friday) Telework: This position is eligible for ad-hoc/situational telework at the discretion of management Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 61273F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact [e-mail] - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance