Summary

The incumbent of this position works in the Nuclear Medicine section of the Portland , OR VA Healthcare System a level 1A facility. The Nuclear Medicine Technologist (MultiModality Technologist) has responsibility for performing a wide range of specialized clinical procedures using radioactive materials at a higher level of duties which consists of significant scope and complexity, ranging in a wide variety.

Duties

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The duties of this position include but are not limited to the following:

PET-CT Specific:

• a. Serves as a technologist for the PET/CT modality, performing daily and periodic quality control testing of PET/CT scanner (and other supporting equipment), organizing workflow, and performing patient studies.
• b. Receives patient, explains procedure, answers questions relating to the procedure, positions patient for all necessary views and tends to patient comfort.
• c. Obtains clinical data from the patient, electronic chart, requisition, and interviewing the patient and/or family for choosing appropriate imaging protocol.
• d. Qualified to obtain patient blood glucose level prior to injecting imaging tracer to determine if scan is appropriate based on that level. Routinely passes quality control testing to stay current on operating glucometer. Performs daily quality control test to check glucometer accuracy.
• e. Prepares, assays, and administers F-18 FDG or other prescribed positron emitting radiopharmaceuticals, recording, patient and dose parameters essential to interpretation of scan.
• f. Under radiologist supervision, administers IV contrast to enhance CT images after reviewing patient chart for contraindications and renal lab values (impaired renal function or hypersensitivity).
• g. Utilizes knowledge and proficiency in the performance of CT scans with optimization of scanning parameters (mA, kVp, pitch, FOV, etc).
• h. Documents on the use of CT contrast, including any allergic reactions, on all paperwork and in the computerized patient data system (i.e. CPRS).
• i. Prepares studies for nuclear medicine physician's and general radiologist's interpretation by ensuring completeness of all forms involved in the procedure, processing, and transmitting images to fusion workstation/PACS.
• j. Troubleshoot clinical and/or instrumentation problems with the PET-CT modality, interfacing with biomedical engineering as necessary.

Nuclear Medicine Specific:

• a. Independently performs routine and complex diagnostic imaging procedures including static, dynamic, and SPECT-CT scans. Examples include but are not limited to bone, lung, thyroid, renal, and cardiovascular imaging and image processing.
• b. Receives all nuclear medicine procedure requests and schedules according to preferred date, taking into consideration other appointments, preparation criteria, and convenience for veterans.
• c. Prepares and administers radiopharmaceuticals by injection, inhalation, or orally, taking into account precautions relative to radiation hazard, sterility, and radiochemical purity. Calculating volume and amount of activity following protocols approved by Chief of Imaging Services or Designee
• d. Properly identifies patients with at least 2 patient identifiers in accordance with VAPORHCS policy, confirms identity on order and properly identifies patient images. This is essential so that mistaken identity of images to patients does not occur.
• e. Explains exams to patients so that the patient understands what is to be done as well as what hazards, if any, are possible. May be required by procedure or patient's condition to monitor vital signs, recognize medical emergencies (e.g. allergic reactions, diabetic hypoglycemia), and initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Radiation Safety:

• a. Follows radiation safety practices to minimize exposure to patient, staff, and self. This achieved by the use of shielding and appropriate PPE, with thorough understanding and practice of "As Low As Reasonably Achievable" (ALARA) principles.
• b. Capable of performing complex therapies and other duties that relate to treatments (Ra-223 Xofigo®, I-131 thyroid cancer and hyperthyroidism treatments).
• c. Performs in-vitro cell labeling for various procedures while carefully following appropriate blood labeling measures and record keeping.
• d. Performs daily and weekly laboratory surveys and wipes tests to verify absence of radioactive contamination. Enters these records into the computerized radioactive material tracking system Syntrac, which is then audited by Cardinal Health quarterly to guarantee regulations are being followed and records maintained.
• e. Assists the National Health Physics Program (NHPP) and Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) in audits and inspections ensuring regulatory compliance.
• f. Understands what is classified as a medical event and knows what necessary steps must be taken if one should occur, including appropriate documentation and communication with radiation safety officer (RSO).

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm, with rotating on call

Telework: Not Eligible

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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). NMTCB or ARRT (N) certification eligibility requirements are normally satisfied by one of the following:
  
  • 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.
• Loss of Credential. [Once certified, NMTs must maintain a full, valid, and unrestricted certification. Loss of credential will result in removal from the GS-0601 NMT occupation and may result in termination of employment.] For occupations which require an active certification at all grade levels, at the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may be reassigned to another occupation for which he/she qualifies if a placement opportunity exists. For occupations which require an active credential (licensure/certification/registration) in assignments above the journey level only, at the discretion of the appointing official, an employee may remain at an appropriate lower grade level in the occupation when both of the following apply: the credential is not a requirement and a placement opportunity exists.
• 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Multi-Modality 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 directly related to the position being filled, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level.
• Assignments. 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 PET/CT, SPECT/CT and/or PET/MR procedures that include diagnostic nuclear medicine, CT, and/or MR fused images. Multi-modality technologists must hold appropriate specific certifications in nuclear medicine (NMTCB or ARRT(N)), as well as CT (NMTCB(CT)) or ARRT (CT)), and/or MR (ARRT (MR)) applicable to independently perform the assignment duties. They carry out these complex assignments independently as part of nuclear medicine procedures. Assignments may include injection of contrast and recognition of allergic reaction, contraindications, and medication interactions. The work must be of sufficient scope and complexity to meet the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform at this level.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs:
  
  • i. Knowledge of contrast media, side effects, medication allergic reactions, drug interactions, and extravasation assessment.
  • ii. Skill to differentiate multi-modality protocols and adjust protocols according to patient needs, body mass index, or area of interest.
  • iii. Knowledge of unique scanning and processing parameters required of multimodality imaging.
  • iv. Ability to troubleshoot and make simple repairs to PET/CT and/or PET/MR imaging systems.
  • v. Ability to care for patients during all stages of the procedure and provide emergency response care when necessary.
  • vi. Knowledge of all contraindications for performing CT and/or MR scans.

Preferred Experience: Cardiac experience with RB-82, pluvicto therapy, LU-177.

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

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

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