Physician (Nuclear Medicine)

The VA Midwest Health Care Network 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 Veterans community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor Americas Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

Major Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

Interpretation of Imaging Studies:

• Interpret nuclear medicine imaging studies including PET scans SPECT scans bone scans thyroid scans cardiac scans and other relevant nuclear imaging studies.
• If also a radiologist interpretation of general radiology studies would be expected when not engaged in primary duties as a nuclear medicine physician.
• Provide timely and accurate diagnostic reports following standard protocols and diagnostic criteria.

• Ensure appropriate and safe administration of radiopharmaceuticals for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
• Monitor and manage patients receiving therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals.

• Perform therapeutic nuclear medicine procedures such as radioiodine therapy radiolabeled antibody therapy and other targeted radionuclide therapies.
• Oversee patient preparation and post-procedure care related to therapeutic interventions.

• Collaborate with other healthcare professionals including radiologists oncologists cardiologists endocrinologists and primary care providers to ensure comprehensive patient care.
• Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings and tumor boards to discuss patient cases and imaging findings.

• Communicate effectively with patients regarding imaging results therapeutic procedures and follow-up care.
• Provide patient education on nuclear medicine procedures and radiation safety.

• Participate in quality assurance and improvement initiatives within the nuclear medicine section.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements including NRC (Nuclear Regulatory Commission) and state regulations.

• Provide education and training to radiology residents fellows medical students and nuclear medicine technologists.
• Participate in continuing medical education (CME) to stay current with advancements in nuclear medicine technology and techniques.

• Optional engagement in clinical research projects related to nuclear medicine and contribute to the advancement of the field.
• Optional participation in grant writing and publication of research findings in peer-reviewed journals.

• Assist in the development and implementation of departmental policies and procedures related to nuclear medicine.
• Participate in departmental meetings and committees as required.

• U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• 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 dentification 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).
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the Required Documents section of this announcement.

To qualify for this position you must meet the basic requirements as well as any additional requirements (if applicable) listed in the job announcement. Applicants pending the completion of training or license requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Currently employed physician(s) in VA who met the requirements for appointment under the previous qualification standard at the time of their initial appointment are deemed to have met the basic requirements of the occupation.

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.
• Degree of doctor of medicine or an equivalent degree resulting from a course of education in allopathic medicine or osteopathic medicine. The degree must have been obtained from one of the schools approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs for the year in which the course of study was completed.
• Current full and unrestricted license to practice medicine or surgery in a State Territory or Commonwealth of the United States or in the District of Columbia.
• Residency Training: Physicians must have completed residency training approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in an accredited core specialty training program leading to eligibility for board certification. (NOTE: VA physicians involved in academic training programs may be required to be board certified for faculty status.) Approved residencies are:
  • (1) Those approved by the accrediting bodies for graduate medical education the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or American Osteopathic Association (AOA) in the list published for the year the residency or fellowship if applicable was completed; OR
  • (2) One year of post medical school training (internship first year of residency or transitional year residency) approved by ACGME or AOA followed by two years of post-training independent practice (performing under a full and unrestricted license) in the United States; OR
  • (3) Non-US residency training programs followed by a minimum of three years of verified independent practice in the United States (performing under a full and unrestricted license) performing duties related to the position they are applying for (United States fellowships would be creditable towards this requirement) which the local Medical Staff Executive Committee deems to have provided the applicant with appropriate professional training and believes has exposed the Physician to an appropriate range of patient care experiences.
  • Exceptions:
    • Residents currently enrolled in ACGME/AOA accredited residency training programs and who would otherwise meet the basic requirements for appointment are eligible to be appointed as Physician Resident Providers (PRPs). PRPs must be fully licensed physicians (i.e. not a training license) and may only be appointed on an intermittent basis. PRPs are not considered independent practitioners and will not be privileged; rather they are to have a scope of practice that allows them to perform certain restricted duties under supervision. Additionally surgery residents in gap years may also be appointed as PRPs.
    • In rare and unusual circumstances the Facility Director can submit a memo to the VISN Director through the VISN Chief Medical Officer who may approve requests for reasonable exceptions to the residency training requirement for Physicians whose composite record of experience accomplishments performance and qualifications warrant such action.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.