Nuclear Medicine Technologist

The major duties of the Nuclear Medicine Technologist include but are not limited to:

• Transfer patients from stretcher or wheelchair to imaging table and explain procedures positions patients for desired results
• Prepare room equipment and material needed for patient procedures
• Properly identify patient - essential so that mistaken identity does not occur by making certain that the patient ID band and the request are identical
• Observe patients during procedures and report complications or unusual events
• Perform computer work and required forms associated with patient exams credit of patient visits
• Maximize patient throughput by contacts with escort ward secretaries nursing personnel etc.
• Provide clinical instruction to student nuclear medicine technologists from affiliated programs and facilitate the attainment of established program objectives
• Practice radiation safety in order to reduce exposure to patient staff and self. Act in a professional cooperative manner towards patients and staff
• Maintain records and files of patient exams and perform clerical and file room duties related to patient care
• Schedule outpatient clinic appointment using Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture (Vista) scheduling options; use established business rules to schedule appointments for veterans
• Prepare assay and administer radiopharmaceutical doses by injection inhalation or ingestion as prescribed
• Be proficient in introducing intravenous catheters in patients for administration of radiopharmaceuticals and/or medications
• Test blood glucose levels in patients. Respond properly to results that are outside normal range
• Be knowledgeable regarding possible side effects of radiopharmaceuticals and other medications
• Prepares and administers radiopharmaceuticals through various routes of administration including but not limited to: oral inhalant intravenous intramuscular subcutaneous and intradermal
• Requires the exercise of judgement to assess and respond to patients needs prior to during and after the procedure
• Obtain pertinent clinical data from the patient electronic chart requisition and interviewing the patient and/or family
• Work very closely with staff from non-invasive cardiology stress lab to maximize patient care and minimize costs of wasted doses
• Independently perform a full range of nuclear medicine equipment such as gamma cameras SPECT/CT and PET/CT/MRI scanner well counters GM survey meters thyroid uptake system etc.
• Correctly administer radioactive pharmaceuticals to patients. Utilize necessary quality management methods of patient identification such as using two unique identifiers and using active rather than passive identification.
• Correctly perform radionuclide therapy. Receive and assay prescribed therapeutic doses.
• Prepare studies for nuclear medicine computerized files i.e. performing backups etc. and uploading patient images to VISTA imaging as appropriate
• Ensure proper billing and workload information by using accurate CPT codes for each patient study keeping abreast of yearly changes in CPT coding.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm with rotating call shifts weekdays weekends/holidays.
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 92120-A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.Contact the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

• 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 ( Effective May 7 2025 drivers licenses or state-issued identification 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 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.

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: (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 masters 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.

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:

GS-11: Completion of one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position to be filled (GS-9) i.e. experience that demonstrates possession of the knowledge skills abilities and other characteristics needed to provide nuclear medicine technology services at that level. Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to:

• Analyzing consequences of improper packaging of radioactive material and take appropriate actions.
• Determining personnel needing personal monitoring devices analyze personal monitoring results and recommend corrective action if needed.
• Analyzing instances of increased radiation exposure levels and recommend measures to reduce.
• Calculating exposure rates.
• Documenting excessive radiation exposure.
• Developing new protocols for imaging procedures.
• Motivating and/or mentoring staff if supervisory position.
• Developing continuing education standards if supervisory position.
• Responding to any decrease in staffing or increase in workload involving all parties to restructure work assignments if encumbering a supervisory position.

Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities. In addition to the grade level requirements listed above the candidate must also demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs:

• Ability to produce and assess high quality scans and quality control images using independent judgement to recognize abnormal or unacceptable results.
• Knowledge and skill in use of ancillary equipment with an understanding of how the results will affect the study outcome.
• Knowledge of physiologic processes as they relate to altered radiopharmaceutical uptake and/or artefactual findings.
• Ability to obtain assess and document pre-therapy patient preparation information and provide post-therapy patient education following proper administration of advanced therapy dose.
• Ability to develop new protocols for imaging procedures.
• Ability to analyze instances of increased radiation exposure levels and recommend measures to reduce.
• Ability to analyze consequences of improper packaging of radioactive material and take appropriate actions.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard please visit Requirements: This position requires the ability to do the following: heavy lifting (45lbs and over) moderate carrying (15-44lbs) pushing use of fingers use of both hands walking (up to 8hrs) standing (up to 8hrs) repeated bending (up to 8hrs) ability to distinguish basic colors emotional/mental stability. Environmental factors include: exposure to radiant energy slippery or uneven walking surfaces working closely with others and/or working alone.