Summary
The Supervisory Nuclear Medicine Technologist has responsibility for supervision of Nuclear Medicine Technologists. The supervisor also has accountabilities for all administrative aspects of the Nuclear Medicine Service. Also responsible for providing a wide range of specialized nuclear medicine procedures, including diagnostic imaging, therapy with unsealed radioactive materials, radioassay, in-vivo or in-vitro cell labeling; evaluating abnormal results; using and maintaining equipment.
Duties
Functions Supervisory Nuclear Medicine Technologist will: a. Prepare, assay, and administer radiopharmaceutical doses by injection, inhalation or ingestion as prescribed. b. Be proficient in introducing intravenous catheters in patients for administration of radiopharmaceuticals and/ or medications. c. Be knowledgeable regarding possible side effects of radiopharmaceuticals and other medications, such as lasix and captopril, to be administered. Take immediate action to remedy any noted effects. d. 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. e. Obtain pertinent clinical data from the patient, electronic chart, requisition, and interviewing the patient and/or family. f. Move wheelchairs and litter patients safely using ergonomic methods of patient transfer. g. Operate nuclear medicine equipment such as gamma cameras, well counters, GM survey meters, thyroid uptake system, and dose calibrators for various patient procedures as needed. h. Understand and be able to perform exposure rate calculations. i. Perform a full range of nuclear medicine diagnostic imaging, non-imaging, invitro and therapeutic procedures, including highly specialized computer assisted studies such as gated cardiac, tomographic and quantitative j. Keep up to date with new imaging agents, procedures and methods. Write imaging protocols for use in department. k. Analyze procedure images for quality. Obtain additional images when necessary. l. Be knowledgeable in three-dimensional anatomy. m. Correctly administer radioactive pharmaceuticals to patients. Utilizes necessary quality management methods of patient identification such as using two unique identifiers and using active rather than passive identification. n. Perform radio-nuclide therapy in collaboration with the Nuclear Medicine Physician. Receive and assay prescribed therapeutic doses. Fill out appropriate forms and administer dose with the nuclear medicine physician. Instruct patient, family and nursing staff in radiation safety precautions. Perform radiation surveys, post appropriate caution signs, and distribute personnel monitoring devices as required. Monitor and properly store any radioactive waste for disposal. o. Demonstrate a thorough understanding of personnel requiring film badges. Read and understand the film badge exposure report. Determine exposure patterns and recommend actions to reduce exposure levels to the public, radiation workers and self. p. Prepare studies for nuclear medicine physician's interpretation by insuring completeness of all forms involved in the procedure. Record appropriate data and related information on the proper patient worksheet and images. q. Schedule patient procedures, taking into consideration camera availability, scan length, patient condition, the need for multiple nuclear medicine studies, other clinic appointments of the patient, contraindications for the test and urgency of the request. Inform patient of all pertinent preparations for his/her scan, i.e. NPO, follow certain diet, bowel prep, etc. r. Perform required technical procedures for safe receipt, handling, transport, usage and disposal of radioactive materials, assuring compliance with Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), National Health Physics Program (NHPP), Department of Transportation (DOT) and license conditions. Recognize potential radiation contamination by visual and mechanical methods. Take necessary actions to minimize contamination and exposure including contacting the Radio pharmacy and radiation safety officer if needed. s. Understand, utilize and practice the concepts of ALARA principle; maintaining radiation exposures as low as reasonably achievable. Analyze dosimetry reports and institute or recommend additional radiation safety precautions as necessary to reduce exposure levels. Work Schedule: 0700-1730 T-F Telework: Ad-Hoc Virtual: No
Requirements
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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification 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). 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 interest. In 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.
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/.
How you will be evaluated
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.