Supervisory Therapeutic Medical Physicist - RELOCATION/RECRUITMENT INCENTIVE

Summary

The Primary Purpose of this position is to: Support the therapeutic goals set by the physicians for the patients under their care by the use of principles and accepted protocols of physics. Medical Physics is that branch of physics that is associated with the practice of medicine. This includes the use of principles and accepted protocols of physics to assure the correct quality, quantity, and placement of radiation during the performance of a radiological procedure.

Duties

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This is an open-continuous announcement, established initial cut-off date: 04/23/2026. Additional applications will be referred as needed, remained open until filled.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Provides professional, scientific, and clinical oversite of Therapeutic Medical Physics for external beam radiotherapy and treatment procedures throughout the entire treatment process from simulation to treatment planning to the actual treatment delivery
• Oversees the technical and programmatic development and implementation of new radiotherapy techniques and modalities
• Oversees the activities of all other TMPs, dosimetrists and other staff members assigned to the physics workgroup and is fully capable of performing the functions of the TMPs and dosimetrists under his/her supervision
• Directs the technical aspects of treatment procedures, and performs duties qualifying them as a supervisor to include planning and directing work, developing performance plans, evaluating staff performance, and other administrative functions
• Has full supervisory responsibility for a staff that includes lower level TMP positions and other clinical and professional staff that has technical responsibilities within the physics workgroup
• Addresses staff concerns so that issues are resolved at the lowest level possible and provides feedback to staff to maintain a cooperative and productive work environment. Directs the implementation of new equipment and processes through oversight of the following activities: assesses radiation therapy equipment needs; monitors acceptance testing and commissioning of new radiation therapy equipment; tests and evaluates associated computer systems, algorithms and data output; evaluates the adequacy of room shielding and radiation surveys; develops and implements treatment processes and standard operating procedures in concert with the radiation oncologists; and ensures the precision and accuracy of treatment delivery Evaluates service needs and capabilities and makes recommendations on. opportunities for improvement and future needs. Participates in development of techniques (hardware, software, or procedural) to improve the delivery of radiation treatments
• Optimizes technical infrastructure and workflow for streamlined operations in the department of radiation oncology through the mastery and application of techniques such as Process Mapping, Failure Mode and Effect Analysis, Root Cause Analysis, and Fault Tree Analysis
• Maintains clear evidence that equipment is compliant with regulatory and accreditation agency rules and recommendations as provided by Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRG), and the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM), American College of Radiology (ACR), American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) and others
• Supervises the Radiation Safety Officer's radiation safety program as it relates to Radiation Oncology, and trains and educates radiation oncology team members in safe operations in Radiation Oncology
• Assumes primary responsibility for policies and procedures within Physics Section of the service, ensuring they are current and applicable
• Is familiar with and applies nationally recognized practice guidelines
• Provides consultative services to the National Radiation Oncology Program (NROP), the National Health Physics Program (NHPP), other VHA program offices and other federal agencies
• Provides other technical or professional services as deemed necessary by Service Chief or as required by regulatory or advisory bodies
• Knowledgeable user and subject matter expert in the use of the treatment planning systems, delivery systems and QA equipment and software in use currently in use in the service
• Uses Radiation Oncology management software to execute office automation functions such as storing and retrieving electronic documents and files, activating printers; formatting letters, reports, and memoranda; and transmitting and receiving e-mail
• Uses the Veterans Health Information and Technology Architecture (VISTA) and the Computerized Patient Records System (CPRS) to access information in the Medical Center Computer System
• Utilizes the PACS system, treatment planning system, record and verify software, treatment delivery system, and image guidance platform
• Develops and maintains procedures for importing, exporting, backup and storage of technical radiation treatment data

Work Schedule: Mon - Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 54810-F

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.
• 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 dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• 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

Basic Requirements:

Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.)

Education. Master's degree or higher in a physics, science, or engineering discipline recognized by an accredited college or university with at least 30 semester hours in medical physics, health physics, radiological science, physics, engineering, chemistry, or biology; or an equivalent foreign degree and coursework substantiated by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services.

Board Certification. Persons hired or reassigned to TMP positions in the VHA must be board certified in the field of therapeutic medical physics by an approved certifying body. The board certificate must be current and the applicant must abide by the certifying body's requirements for continuing education.

Approved Certifying Bodies

(a) The American Board of Radiology (ABR) in any of the following field titles:

• 1. Therapeutic Medical Physics
• 2. Therapeutic Radiologic or Therapeutic Radiological Physics
• 3. Radiologic Physics or Radiological Physics

(b) The American Board of Medical Physics (ABMP) in the subfield of Radiation Oncology Physics.

(c) The Canadian College of Physicists in Medicine (CCPM) in the subfield of Radiation Oncology Physics.

Grade Determinations:

GS-14 Supervisory Therapeutic Medical Physicist

Experience: In addition to the basic requirements, you must have completion of a minimum of 1 year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the next lower grade and must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform at this grade level:

1. Ability to oversee the technical development and implementation of new radiotherapy techniques and modalities. This includes knowledge of current standards of care, VA policies, trends and changes in delivery technology, as well as fair, principled, and decisive leadership practices.

2. Ability to optimize technical infrastructure and workflow for streamlined operations in the department of radiation oncology. This includes the knowledge and application of techniques such as Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA), Root Cause Analysis (RCA), and Fault Tree Analysis (FTA).

3. Ability to assess the qualifications and abilities of current and prospective employees, to include staff performance evaluations and professional development.

4. Advanced knowledge of regulatory requirements, manufacturer's standards, and professional society guidelines for performing quality assurance of radiation therapy equipment to include accelerators, simulators, and high dose rate/low dose rate brachytherapy delivery systems.

5. Ability to use written and verbal communication with a strong command of technical writing considerations.

6. Ability to collaborate with the members of other disciplines and supervisors and to represent the profession both in and outside of VHA. This includes knowledge of the roles, contributions, and interrelationships with other health care specialties and supporting divisions.

7. Knowledge of instructional methods and documenting competencies.8. Ability to manage and supervises employees.

Assignments: For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. A supervisory TMP provides professional, scientific, and clinical practice of therapeutic medical physics for external beam and brachytherapy treatment procedures from treatment simulation to treatment planning to the actual treatment delivery. The incumbent oversees the technical development and 8 implementation of new radiotherapy techniques and modalities; oversees the activities of all other TMPs, dosimetrists, and other staff members assigned to the unit; directs the technical aspects of treatment procedures; and, performs duties qualifying them as a supervisor to include planning and directing work, developing performance plans, evaluating staff performance, and other administrative functions. The supervisory TMP has full supervisory responsibility for a staff that includes lower level TMP positions and other clinical and professional staff within the unit. The employee directs the implementation of new equipment and processes through oversight of the following activities: assesses radiation therapy equipment needs; monitors acceptance testing and commissioning of new radiation therapy equipment; evaluates the adequacy of room shielding and radiation surveys; develops and implements treatment processes in concert with a radiation oncologist; and, ensures the precision and accuracy of treatment delivery. The employee optimizes technical infrastructure and workflow for streamlined operations in the department of radiation oncology through the mastery and application of techniques such as Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA), Root Cause Analysis (RCA), and Fault Tree Analysis (FTA). The employee directs the radiation therapy treatment planning team through oversight of the following activities: designs and approves of treatment plans; monitors the accuracy of treatment data recorded in the patient's medical records; provides consultation to the radiation oncologist regarding difficult treatment cases; performs patient-specific treatment validation measurements; develops medical physics policies and procedures for the delivery and quality assessment of advanced treatment modalities such as intensity modulated radiation therapy, stereotactic body radiation therapy and brachytherapy. The employee develops, operates, and documents the medical physics quality assurance program; ensures regulatory compliance; supervises the Radiation Safety Officer's radiation safety program; and, trains and educates radiation oncology team members in safe operations in Radiation Oncology.

Preferred Experience:

• Should possess a minimum of 10 years of experience in the field of therapeutic medical physics, with at least 5 years in a leadership or supervisory role.
• This individual should have extensive experience in advanced radiation therapy techniques, including but not limited to, intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT).
• Proficiency in the use of treatment planning systems, linear accelerators, and associated quality assurance equipment and protocols is essential.
• Demonstrate a strong track record of involvement in clinical research, publication in peer-reviewed journals, and participation in professional organizations.
• Effective communication skills, collaborative abilities, and a proven commitment to maintaining the highest standards of patient care and safety are also critical for this role.

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

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the GS-14