Summary

The Nuclear Medicine Technologist (MultiModality Technologist) has responsibility for performing a wide range of specialized clinical procedures using radioactive materials at a higher level of duties which consists of significant scope and complexity - ranging in a wide variety.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• The basic requirements for employment as a NMT are prescribed in 38 U.S.C. § 7402(b)(14)
• To qualify for appointment as a NMT - all applicants must possess the following: a
• Citizenship
• Be a 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 3.g. - of this part.) b
• 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
• Physical Requirements
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019[ - Employee Occupational Health Service
• English Language Proficiency
• candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2 - section D - paragraph 5a - of this part
• NOTE: Technologists functioning as multi-modality technologists require additional specific certifications as stated in assignment descriptions below
• Grade Determinations: Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Multi-Modality Technologist) - GS-11 (a) Experience
• For assignments above the journey level - the candidate must have 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled - and must fully meet the KSAs at that level
• (b) 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 in this assignment perform fusion imaging such as PET/CT - SPECT/CT and/or PET/MR procedures that include diagnostic nuclear medicine - CT - and/or MR fused images
• Multi-modality technologists must hold appropriate specific certifications in nuclear medicine (NMTCB or ARRT(N)) - as well as CT (NMTCB(CT)) or ARRT (CT)) - and/or MR (ARRT (MR)) applicable to independently perform the assignment duties
• They carry out these complex assignments independently as part of nuclear medicine procedures
• Assignments may include injection of contrast and recognition of allergic reaction - contraindications - and medication interactions
• The work must be of sufficient scope and complexity to meet the knowledge - skills - and abilities to perform at this level
• (c) Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs: i
• Knowledge of contrast media - side effects - medication allergic reactions - drug interactions - and extravasation assessment
• ii
• Skill to differentiate multi-modality protocols and adjust protocols according to patient needs - body mass index - or area of interest
• iii
• Knowledge of unique scanning and processing parameters required of multi-modality imaging
• iv
• Ability to troubleshoot and make simple repairs to PET/CT and/or PET/MR imaging systems
• v
• Ability to care for patients during all stages of the procedure and provide emergency response care when necessary
• vi
• Knowledge of all contraindications for performing CT and/or MR scans
• Preferred Expereince: Must possess advanced certification in Computed Tomography as well as Nuclear Medicine Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The position is above the journey level

Duties

• Independently performs routine and complex diagnostic imaging procedures including static - dynamic - and SPECT-CT scans
• Examples include but are not limited to bone - lung - thyroid - renal - and cardiovascular imaging and image processing Receives all nuclear medicine procedure requests and schedules according to preferred date - taking into consideration other appointments - preparation criteria - and convenience for veterans
• Prepares and administers radiopharmaceuticals by injection - inhalation - or orally - taking into account precautions relative to radiation hazard - sterility - and radiochemical purity
• Calculating volume and amount of activity following protocols approved by Chief of Imaging Services or Designee Properly identifies patients with at least 2 patient identifiers in accordance with VAPORHCS policy - confirms identity on order and properly identifies patient images
• This is essential so that mistaken identity of images to patients does not occur
• Explains exams to patients so that the patient understands what is to be done as well as what hazards - if any - are possible
• May be required by procedure or patient's condition to monitor vital signs - recognize medical emergencies (e.g
• allergic reactions - diabetic hypoglycemia) - and initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation
• Prepares patient for exams by achieving intravenous access and placing IV catheter when needed utilizing aseptic technique and standard precautions for infection control
• Ensures correct study is being performed on the specified patient by reviewing appropriateness of indication and patient's medical history (including medications - contraindications - etc)
• Works with cardiology staff - physicians - fellows - and other personnel to screen all patients and determine which nuclear medicine cardiac test is appropriate - taking into consideration lung diseases - weight - ability to exercise - medications - etc
• Performs physiological and pharmacologic stress testing under supervision of cardiology staff
• Must know the basics of performing an EKG and interpretation and proper technique to get appropriate vital signs
• Understands the parameters of optimal clinical images and obtains extra views when indicated Works with radiologists and nuclear medicine physicians for special administrations of radiopharmaceuticals (e.g
• for cisternography or lymphoscintigraphy) and in therapeutic nuclear medicine procedures
• The technologist ensures that informed consent and written directives are properly obtained - and the radiopharmaceutical dose is accurately assayed
• Work Schedule: Mon-Fri 0730-1600 with rotating on call Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized