Chief Physician- Nuclear Medicine- Diagnostic Imaging
Veterans Health Administration
Posted: January 21, 2026 (7 days ago)
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Veterans Health Administration
Department of Veterans Affairs
Location
Salary
$128,386 - $166,904
per year
Type
Full Time
More Healthcare & Medical jobs →Closes
Base salary range: $74,441 - $96,770
Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-11. Advanced degree + significant experience.
Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).
This job involves leading the radiology imaging programs at a VA medical center, overseeing staff, operations, budgets, and strategic planning to ensure high-quality patient care and efficiency.
It combines hands-on expertise in diagnostic imaging with administrative leadership, including representing the department in high-level meetings and driving improvements in services.
A good fit would be an experienced radiologic technologist with strong management skills, a passion for veteran healthcare, and the ability to handle complex teams and budgets.
Incumbent serves as a key administrative leadership role within the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center in Radiology Service.
Incumbent acts with full authority on all administrative matter and functions within and for Radiology Services.
Incumbent represents Radiology Services on executive-level committees for performance improvement, safety, environment of care, space utilization and operations.
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.
DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). Certification.
All applicants must be certified in general radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology, Radiography (ARRT) (R). Education.
Completion of a full-time training course of at least 24 months in duration (or the equivalent) in a post-high school diagnostic radiologic technology program, evidenced by a certificate or an associate degree, accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) or from [other accrediting agencies as recognized by the Department of Education (DOE).
Creditable Experience Knowledge of Current Radiologic Technology Practice.
To be creditable, experience must have demonstrated possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics (also referred to as clinical competencies) associated with current radiologic technology practice.
This may have been evidenced by the equivalent of one year of active practice, which is paid or nonpaid employment as a DRT as defined by ARRT. Quality of Experience.
Experience is only creditable if it was earned after completion of the basic certification requirements identified in paragraph 2b above.
Experience as a graduate DRT is creditable provided the candidate functioned as a DRT and subsequently passed the certification examination. Imaging Program Administrator.
A technologist in this position is responsible for the direction of a highly complex consolidated imaging program that includes diagnostic radiology, and one or both of nuclear medicine, and/or radiation oncology programs.
The incumbent ensures professional competence and performance of clinical and clerical staff by establishing professional standards, protocols, and policies and procedures.
This position has full supervisory responsibility for a large staff of subordinate personnel in various disciplines and sections noted above, including at least one subordinate supervisor at the next lower level, and may include various clerical and administrative support personnel.
Responsibilities include oversight of business operations and planning for significantly complex medical centers with strong academic affiliations that includes both graduate medical education (GME) and medical imaging training programs.
Responsibilities also include oversight of multiple complex imaging services and providing annual budget information; monitoring expenditures; identifying variances; and recommending corrective actions.
With the facility leadership, this position develops strategic short- and long-term business, market and operational plans focused on the growth of clinical, academic, and financial performance.
The incumbent monitors and evaluates progress toward implementing strategic goals and objectives.
The incumbent is responsible for contributing information to strategic plans and reviews, implementing production, productivity, quality, and patient-service standards; resolving problems; and identifying system improvements.
This position is accountable for outcomes management and associated performance targets, including but not limited to patient satisfaction surveys, industry performance benchmarks and quality outcomes.
The incumbent works closely with departmental staff to improve quality results by evaluating accuracy and quality of services; and providing assistance in the implementation of new techniques, equipment, and procedures.
The incumbent oversees, supports, and makes contributions to patient safety, implementing systems to conduct Root Cause Analysis and correction of errors, reporting of adverse occurrences, near misses, and safety concerns.
The incumbent develops, implements, maintains, and enforces departmental programs, policies, procedures, and protocols.
The incumbent ensures and maintains required documentation for compliance with safety, environmental and infection control standards, and with local, state, and federal regulations.
The incumbent monitors compliance with standards, identifies variances or inabilities to meet established targets, and implements action to ensure that targets are met.
I Grade Determinations: At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level of GS-12 directly related to the position being filled that demonstrates the clinical competencies needed to provide services as an Imaging Program Administrator.
The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs: i.
Ability to, provide the full range of supervisory duties which includes responsibility for assignment of work, performance evaluations, selection of staff, and recommendation of awards, advancements, and disciplinary actions.
ii. Skill in administrative management (e.g., budgeting, contracting, procurement and property management) in accordance with VHA regulations. iii.
Ability to work collaboratively with other disciplines, upper management, VISN level staff and/or VHA Central Office iv.
Ability to plan and execute short and long-range programs and/or goals through project management and tactical/strategic planning as well as develop and oversee complex quality programs addressing outcome management and performance benchmarks.
v.
Knowledge of concepts, principles, and methodologies of a significantly high- level imaging program that includes complex subsections such as diagnostic radiology, nuclear medicine and/or radiation oncology operations in order to assess program effectiveness and provide authoritative guidance for operations, personnel, and management.
vi.
Ability to develop, implement, maintain, and enforce departmental programs, policies, procedures and protocols to ensure and maintain required documentation for compliance with safety, environmental and infection control standards, and with Joint Commission, FDA, NRC- NHPP, ACR, HIPPA, and other federal regulations.] 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-13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-13.
Physical Requirements: The work requires extensive walking, primarily between workstations and divisions within the Radiology Department and remote service locations.
There may be extended periods of time using and sitting in front of computers.
There may be periods when bending and kneeling may be required and/or extended periods of time while working in a cold computer room. Heavy lifting (45 lbs.
and over) with or without assistance and the aid of mechanical lift equipment; moderate )lifting (15 -44 lbs.); light lifting (under 15 lbs.); moderate carrying (] 5 - 44 lbs.), light carrying (under 15 lbs.); straight pu11ing; pulling hand over hand; pushing; reaching above shoulders; use of fingers; walking; standing; kneeling; repeated bending; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; specific visual requirement; ability to visualize X-rays clearly; ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of coolers; hearing (aid permitted).
Duties may require lifting and carrying computer equipment (approximately 45 lbs.) such as monitors, Computer Processing Units (CPUs), and Utility Power System (UPS) products.
See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. Major Duties:
The major duties of the Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist - Imaging Program Administrator include, but are not limited to: Responsible for the oversite of clinical operations and planning for a significantly complex medical center with residency programs, medial student programs, medical imaging training programs and program affiliates.
Working closely with Service Chiefs at both the facility and Network levels, VISN committees, National Program Offices and other key personnel in the formulation of projects, reports, strategic plans (short and long term), resource utilization, needs assessments, market and operations plans focused on growth of clinical, academic and financial performance and assigned administrative activities.
Responsible for the analysis of system and programs which include, but are not limited to, the use of programs in Radiology Services analysis of medical center resources to coordinate recommendations through the Service Chief to higher-level management and the Medical Center Director on the most cost-effective means of providing accessible and quality care to patients.
Has full supervisory responsibility for the technologist staff, along with their subordinate staff.
Responsible for the technical quality, quantity, and timeliness of work produced by subordinates; accepting or rejecting material presented.
Sets priorities and assigns work to be accomplished to meet these priorities. Gives advice, counsel, and instruction to individual employees on administrative matters.
Interviews, recommends appointment,, promotions, and reassignments involving candidates for positions.
Hears and resolves complaints, effects minor disciplinary measures such as counseling, admonishment, and reprimand.
Identifies developmental and training needs of employees and provides or makes provisions for such development and training.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Ad-hoc telework may be available per agency policy and approval from supervisor Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 94273-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
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