Nuclear Medicine Technologist

Full Job Description

Incumbent serves as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist in the Nuclear Medicine Department.

Responsible for performing a full range of routine and non-routine radionuclide studies to aid in the diagnosis of various organ functional disorders.

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: (1) Completion of a NMTCB-recognized nuclear medicine technology program, OR (2) 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.

Grade Determinations: Nuclear Medicine 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 (GS-9), directly related to the position being filled, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to meeting the specialized experience requirement listed above the candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs: i.

Ability to produce and assess high quality scans and quality control images using independent judgement to recognize abnormal or unacceptable results. ii.

Knowledge and skill in use of ancillary equipment with an understanding of how the results will affect the study outcome. iii.

Knowledge of physiologic processes as they relate to altered radiopharmaceutical uptake and/or artefactual findings. iv.

Ability to obtain, assess, and document pre-therapy patient preparation information and provide post-therapy patient education following proper administration of advanced therapy dose. v.

Ability to develop new protocols for imaging procedures. vi. Ability to analyze instances of increased radiation exposure levels and recommend measures to reduce. vii.

Ability to analyze consequences of improper packaging of radioactive material and take appropriate actions.

References: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position.

Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. Major Duties:

Major duties include, but are not limited to: Works independently, in performing routine and non-routine imaging procedures.

Prepares proper instrument, computer, and auxiliary equipment and acquires imaging procedures as indicated by protocol. Evaluates image appearance and performs any additional views as required.

Processes and evaluates computer-generated data. Obtains samples and/or data for non-imaging studies. Calculates and evaluates results of non-imaging studies.

Assists with cardiac stress tests, and when necessary, start IVs, place EKG leads, take blood pressures, ensure all monitoring equipment is functional.

Performs, evaluates, and monitors quality control measurements of specialized equipment used in the performance of imaging studies, such as camera imaging systems (SPECT/CT, PET/CT), computers, dose calibrators, well/probe detector systems, and other ancillary equipment used daily.

The technologist troubleshoots and makes a judgment on the acceptable performance of equipment prior to initiating studies on patients. Assesses performance and troubleshoots film processing equipment.

Operates and maintains auxiliary equipment: such as, EKG gating device; BP device; and hot lab equipment. Reviews the daily work schedule to plan radiopharmaceutical needs.

Performs the role of Radiopharmacist by eluting the generator, preparing radiopharmaceutical kits, performing quality control, and evaluating the results.

Prepares and dispenses diagnostic and therapeutic radiopharmaceutical dosages. Labels blood components with a radiopharmaceutical. Prepares interventional pharmacologic agent.

Maintains records of quality control procedures, administered doses and other related daily checks as required by NHPP, NRC, JCAHO, OSHA, VA Regulations, and other licensing and regulating bodies.

Schedules patient studies, ensuring appropriate sequence of multiple procedures and interact with staff regarding exam preparation.

Receives patient and provides proper care during nuclear medicine procedures. Communicates effectively with patient, family, and staff. Provides safe and sanitary conditions.

Recognizes and responds to emergency conditions. The technologist develops patient educational materials. Prepares patients for procedures.

Obtains pertinent patient history and checks procedural contraindications. Selects and administers the appropriate radiopharmaceutical by the proper route.

Identifies potential medical event and takes appropriate action. Properly documents a medical event.

Prepares the patient for bone density scanning by explaining the procedure, obtaining relevant patient history (including height/weight) and having patient remove all artifact producing objects.

Performs and interprets results of required quality control tests, including, phantoms.

Performs and processes bone density scanning utilizing reference database and verifying region of interest to assess accuracy of results.

Performs radiation safety duties associated with the radiopharmacy/hot lab. Post appropriate signs in designated areas to comply with NRC regulations.

Surveys, inspects, and inventories incoming radioactive materials. Reviews radioactive material packages to determine if it is properly packaged and takes appropriate actions.

Utilizes proper methods for the use and storage of radioactive materials. Monitors and disposes of radioactive waste. Prepares and packages radioactive materials for transportation.

Performs wipe tests and area radiation surveys.

Uses proper procedures for managing emergency surveys in the event of a radiation accident, radioactive spill, or contamination by performing the proper clean-up, surveying and monitoring of the area.

Analyzes circumstances contributing to radiation exposure and to recommend procedures to minimize exposure. Provides instruction on proper radiation emergency procedures.

As part of radiation safety duties, the technologist instructs the patient, family, and staff in radiation safety precautions after the administration of therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals.

Prepares, surveys, and cleans inpatient nuclear medicine radiotherapy room. Reviews monthly personal exposure records. Analyzes personal monitoring results and recommends corrective action as needed.

Takes appropriate measures to reduce radiation exposure levels. Analyzes instances of increased radiation exposure levels and recommend measures to reduce.

Properly documents excessive radiation exposure. Work Schedule: 07:30 to 16:00; Monday through Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized