Summary Unlike other traditional Nuclear Medicine laboratories, the incumbent must be able to work successfully in all aspects of Nuclear Medicine Imagine without the benefit of direct, onsite physician supervision. The Nuclear Medicine Technologist is responsible for data acquisition, processing, preparation and transmission of complicated, completed diagnostic images to the core facility located at the Aleda E. Lutz VAMC for Nuclear Medicine physician interpretation. Responsibilities Duties include but not limited to: Responsible for the secretion and creation of an appropriate image data set sufficient to answer the clinical question(s) posed by referring physicians is a critical part of the incumbent's responsibilities. Orders, receives, stores and properly disposes of radionuclides and non-radioactive kits and supplies. Performs, documents, and maintains appropriate checks and surveys as required. Prepares and administers oral and parental radiopharmaceuticals for patient studies with strict adherence to NRC, FDA and EPA regulations and adequate sterile/aseptic technique. Dilutes, performs quality control and assays radiopharmaceuticals. Documents kit and patient specific activity concentration and dosage as required. Collects and process patient blood and urine specimens for analysis. Performs preparation of reagents, controls and standards. Daily calibrates and performs other quality control, performing and documenting daily radiation detection surveys. Utilizes and administers non-radioactive drugs, as it pertains to specific organ testing, such as Lasix, cholecystokinin and heparin. Maintains and demonstrates proficiency in various techniques of venipuncture, i.e., angiocath, butterfly, syringe, and needle. Performs procedures entailing the production of organ maps of distribution of radioactivity following their administration to the patient. Performs static imaging of brain, lung, liver/spleen, kidneys, bone thyroid and other organs as techniques are developed and adapted for use. Performs dynamic and tomographic organ imaging techniques such as venograms, renograms cerebral flow studies, three phase bone scan and others as necessary. Sets up and calibrates the imaging equipment and instruments on a daily basis, checking their performance and reliability prior to beginning any patient study. Completes appropriate patient prep, data, acquisitions processing, analysis of data and computer transmission to the core facility. Retrieves scan interpretation reports from the core facility mainframe system and provides to the Medical Clerk for distribution to appropriate areas within the Medical Center, flagging abnormal results requiring special handing. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 3:30pm, 20 hours a week Telework: Not Eligible Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 91378-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements 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. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. 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). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. 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. English Language Proficiency: NMTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a of the VA Handbook 5005. Grade Determinations: GS-5 Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-7 Experience or Education Development Level. Certification, as described in basic requirements. Completion of 1 year equivalent to the next lower grade GS-5 level directly related to the position. Example of GS-5 experience are but not limited to: serve as entry level NMTs and receive guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex patients and require daily direct (i.e., immediate) supervision. OR Advance Entry-Level Placement. Applicants who meet all qualifications requirements for the GS-5 grade level of two-grade interval occupations may be appointed at the GS-7 grade level if they possess one of the following: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a major field of study related to the Title 38 Hybrid occupation (Nuclear Medicine Technology), including those occupations that have a positive education requirements. Bachelors' degree from an accredited college or university unrelated to the Title 38 Hybrid occupation (Nuclear Medicine Technology) that included or was supplemented by at least one of the following: At least 30 semester hours (or at least the same number of hours required by the educational institution for a major field) of directly related, upper level undergraduate courses (e.g., at least 200-course level or higher, or as identified by the college or university) for the hybrid occupation (Nuclear Medicine Technology), or one full year of graduate level coursework (typically at least 15-18 semester hours) for the hybrid occupation; or Directly related practicum/internship in the hybrid occupation, either included in the degree or post-degree; or Directly related certification/licensure/registration for the hybrid occupation. Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, with an exemplary academic record as demonstrated by at least one of the following; Class Standing: Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses. Grade=Point Average (GPA): Applicant must have a grade-point average of: 3.0. or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on their official transcripts, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on course completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum; or 3.5. or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required course completed in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum. Election to Membership in a National Scholastic Honor Society: Applicants can be considered eligible based on membership in one of the national scholastic honor societies. These honor societies are listed in the Association of College Honor Societies: Booklet of Information (1992-95) and/or Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities (1991). membership in a freshman honor society cannot be used to meet the requirements of this provision. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) regulations that pertain to nuclear medicine technology practices. Knowledge of the medical sciences such as anatomy, physiology, chemistry, and physics and how they relate to the cardiovascular, skeletal, endocrine, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary systems of the human body. Knowledge of radioactive package types, package surveys, and radioactive materials record management. Ability to independently use and interpret Geiger-Mueller meter. GS-9 Experience. Completion of 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position to be filled (i.e., experience that demonstrates possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics needed to provide nuclear medicine technology services at that level) is required. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Ability to document excessive radiation exposure in the working environment. Knowledge of medical events requiring documentation and the ability to properly document them and make recommendations to the radiation safety officer (RSO). Ability to communicate orally and in writing post iodine-131 therapy radiation safety precautions. Ability to troubleshoot gamma camera and auxiliary equipment problems. Ability to analyze computer generated data for technical quality and artifacts and initiate corrective measures. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G19 Physical Requirements: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 25 pounds of force frequently to move objects. This could include moving objects such as pieces of equipment and assistance in moving clients. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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 VA Healthcare System Serving Ohio, Indiana and Michigan (VISN 10) advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. Receiving Service Credit or 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. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Smoke-free Facility: All Department of Veterans Affairs facilities are smoke-free. Patients, visitors, and employees are not allowed to smoke in or near any facilities or on the grounds.