Summary The incumbent serves as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist (NMT) in the Nuclear Medicine Section of Imaging Service, VACCHCS, Fresno, California, with all the necessary skills to manage every aspect of the Nuclear Medicine Section on a daily and long-term basis. Responsibilities Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 0730-1600 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 02359A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required The NMT has responsibility for providing a wide range of specialized nuclear medicine procedures, including diagnostic imaging, therapy with unsealed radioactive materials, radio-assay, in-vivo and in-vitro cell labeling; evaluating abnormal results; using and maintaining equipment, initiating equipment service and maintenance calls; setting up and monitoring quality control; working within guidelines from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Department of Transportation (DOT), National Health Physics Program (NHPP), Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA) and other regulatory authorities. The NMT will: Keep up to date with new imaging agents, procedures and methods. Write imaging protocols for use in the department. Develop and maintain accurate procedure documents that integrate continuous improvements into department protocols. When Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) is temporarily unavailable, the NMT will maintain continuity for the established routine nuclear medicine functions of the RSO. Maintain regulatory records daily, provide continuous review for accuracy and report all deficiencies. Maintain preparations to coordinate a regulatory audit if the RSO is offsite. Determine personnel who require dosimetry badges throughout the Imaging Service, read and understand the dosimetry badge exposure reports, determine exposure patterns, and recommend action to reduce exposure levels to public, radiation workers and self, and follow ALARA principles. Able to fully explain all aspects of radioactive package receipt and regulations pertaining to routine packages. Analyze instances of increased radiation exposure levels and recommend measures to reduce. Calculate exposure rates. Properly documents excessive radiation exposure. Coordinate 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., suspension of particular medications, NPO or follow a certain diet, bowel prep, etc. Calibrate thyroid uptake system, gamma cameras, dose calibrators and well counter. Adjust and maintain instruments, verify correct operation using established procedures and quality control standards. Identify and record the cause of problems when they occur. Troubleshoot issues and make simple repairs when possible. Responsible for scheduling repairs and/or maintenance needed. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. 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). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications 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). (PLEASE UPLOAD CERTIFICATION) Completion of a NMTCB-recognized nuclear medicine technology program, OR 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. (PLEASE UPLOAD CERTIFICATION) English Language Proficiency. NMTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, of this part. Grade Determinations: GS-11 Nuclear Medicine Technologist Experience. 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs: Ability to produce and assess high-quality fusion and quality control images using independent judgment to recognize abnormal or unacceptable results. Practical knowledge and skill in the 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 recognize and correct fusion imaging system errors Preferred Experience: The work requires a professional knowledge of the field of Nuclear Medicine Technology and those aspects of chemistry, physics, mathematics, and the biomedical sciences that relate to Nuclear Medicine. The following are the requirements for appointment as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Nuclear Medicine Technologists (NMTs) perform a wide variety of functional studies of organs and/or systems involving static and dynamic imaging procedures, injection of radionuclides and radiopharmaceuticals, and the use of such specialized equipment as integrated computer/imaging systems, Single photon Emission Tomography (SPECT), Positron Emission Tomography- Computed Tomography (PET and PET/CT). In combination with a variety of radio-immunoassays (in vivo and in vitro procedures) such as Pyrophosphate, Ultra tag Red Blood Cell labeling, and others. Other functions performed include Radiation Safety procedures, assistance with Radionuclide Therapies, database management which includes management of images with the Hospital Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS), Veteran Health Information system, and Technology Architecture (VISTA) Radiology Package Systems. The technologist rotates with other technologists on a regular basis through the above-mentioned areas. References: APPENDIX G19. VA Handbook 5005/125, Part II. NUCLEAR MEDICINE TECHNOLOGIST Qualification Standards. December 10, 2019. GS-0601 Physical Requirements: This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. Additional Information This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.