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This nuclear medicine technologist position is in the Diagnostic Imaging Service at the VA Boston Healthcare System, located at the Jamaica Plains, MA (campus) location. This position is a part time with an intermittent work schedule. 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. 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. NOTE: Technologists functioning as multi-modality technologists require additional specific certifications as stated in assignment descriptions below. 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. Nuclear medicine technologists must be proficient in spoken and written English Grade Determinations:GS-9 Experience. Completion of 1 year of 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. Experience includes: They receive guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex patients and require general supervision.] At this grade, NMTs utilize the proper methods of receipt, use, storage, and disposal of radioactive material; perform and evaluate basic quality control on all imaging and non-imaging instrumentation and auxiliary equipment, and provide basic patient care, recognizing and responding to emergency conditions. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 1. Ability to document excessive radiation exposure in the working environment 2. Knowledge of medical events requiring documentation and the ability to properly document them and make recommendations to the Radiation Safety Officer (RSO). 3. Ability to communicate orally and in writing post-therapy radiation safety precautions. 4. Ability to troubleshoot gamma camera and auxiliary equipment problems. 5. Ability to analyze computer generated data for technical quality and artifacts and initiate corrective measures. GS-11Experience. Completion of 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level. Experience includes: NMTs at this level have a full understanding of proper methods of receipt, use, storage, and disposal of radioactive material; properly and independently handle unusual circumstances; perform and evaluate daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly quality control on all imaging and non-imaging instrumentation and auxiliary equipment, provide basic patient care, and can recognize and respond to emergency conditions. It is expected that they routinely and independently perform the full scope and complexity of these responsibilities and receive guidance from higher-level or supervisory staff members for only the most complex patients.] In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the potential to acquire the following KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 1. Ability to produce and assess high quality scans and quality control images using independent judgement to recognize abnormal or unacceptable results. 2. Knowledge and skill in use of ancillary equipment with an understanding of how the results will affect the study outcome. 3. Knowledge of physiologic processes as they relate to altered radiopharmaceutical uptake and/or artefactual findings. 4. Ability to obtain, assess, and document pre-therapy patient preparation information and provide post-therapy patient education following proper administration of advanced therapy dose. 5. Ability to develop new protocols for imaging procedures. 6. Ability to analyze instances of increased radiation exposure levels and recommend measures to reduce. 7. Ability to analyze consequences of improper packaging of radioactive material and take appropriate actions. 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 at this level serve in advanced assignments and will have varying assignments, including special and complex imaging procedures, advanced therapies, clinical instruction, and quality management duties within the program. Advanced therapies may include, but are not limited to, yttrium-90, radium, and palliative bone pain therapy. Regardless of the nature of the specific assignment, the work must be of sufficient scope and complexity to meet the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform at this level. References: VA Handbook 5005/125 Part II Appendix G19 Physical Requirements: This position requires a moderate amount of physical activity working with the equipment and maneuvering patients including eye/hand coordination; full use of arms, hands and wrists; transporting, lifting, lowering, moving, turning heavy objects and/or patients; standing, sitting, or reaching for extended periods of time. ["Nuclear Medicine Technologists have responsibility for providing a wide range of specialized nuclear medicine procedures, including: 1. Diagnostic imaging, Therapy with unsealed radioactive materials. 2. Radioassay, In-vivo or in-vitro cell labeling; Evaluating abnormal results; Using and maintaining equipment. 3. Setting up and monitoring quality control. 4. Working within guidelines from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Department of Transportation (DOT), National Health Physics Program, Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA) among others. 5. Staff Nuclear Medicine Technologists will: Prepare, assay, and administer radiopharmaceutical doses by injection, inhalation or ingestion as prescribed. 6. Be proficient in introducing intravenous catheters in patients for administration of radiopharmaceuticals and/or medications. 7. Knowledgeable regarding possible side effects of radiopharmaceuticals and other medications, such as lasix and captopril, to be administered. 8. Take immediate action to remedy any noted effects, Receive patients, explain procedure, answer questions relating to the procedure, position patient for all necessary views and tend to their comfort for the duration of the procedure. 9. Obtain pertinent clinical data from the patient, electronic chart, requisition, and interviewing the patient and/or family. 10. Move wheelchair and litter patients safely using ergonomic methods of patient transfer. Work Schedule: Intermittent Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. NOTIFICATIONS: This position is a AFGE Bargaining Unit position. Travel and relocation expenses are not authorized. This position is covered by special salary rate pay. Selectee may be required to work at any Boston Healthcare System campus, as needed. Candidates who meet the qualification requirements within 15 calendar days following the closing date of the announcement will be considered. This position is in the Excepted Service. Drug Testing Position: 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. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test result is received. Selectee will be required to complete additional forms to proceed with employment process. Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held."]

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