Nuclear Med Technologist

Veterans Health Administration • White River Junction, VT

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Nuclear Medicine Technologist works in the Nuclear Medicine Service at the White River Junction VA Healthcare System in White River Junction, Vermont. The position provides a wide range of specialized nuclear medicine procedures and performs advanced imaging, therapeutic, quality-control, and patient-care duties. The technologist works independently on assigned tasks and may serve as a technical liaison for the nuclear network, support affiliates with procedural problem-solving, and assist with clinical procedures and student training. The role also includes advanced and complex imaging procedures, therapies, clinical instruction, and quality management responsibilities.

The technologist performs routine and less common nuclear medicine studies, including Octreotide and infectious imaging, as well as bone and thyroid therapies. Duties include acquiring and analyzing computer-based imaging and research data; selecting or modifying acquisition programs; performing functional studies; compounding radiopharmaceuticals and preparing doses; and administering or assisting with administration of radioactive agents by appropriate routes and techniques. The technologist prepares, calibrates, and quality-checks imaging and ancillary equipment, including gamma cameras, dose calibrators, well counters, and uptake units. The position may also cover PET/CT duties for absent coworkers.

The technologist schedules patients referred from inpatient, outpatient, and outside facilities; reviews clinical data and studies; determines whether additional images are needed; and ensures patient identification and preparation. Patient-care duties include explaining procedures, conducting cardiac stress testing, using safety and shielding devices, taking vital signs, maintaining oxygen administration, performing venipunctures and starting IVs, and performing CPR when necessary.

The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework is not available. Relocation and recruitment incentives may be authorized for highly qualified applicants who meet the criteria; permanent change of station is not authorized. The full performance level is GS-11.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for appointments when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Certification in nuclear medicine technology by the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) or the American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT) (N).
• Completion of an NMTCB-recognized nuclear medicine technology program, or a JRCNMT-accredited or otherwise appropriately recognized program culminating in a certificate or degree and providing structured clinical training in radiation safety, instrumentation, clinical procedures, and radio-pharmacy.
• For GS-11, one year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, directly related to the position, and demonstration of the required technical knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Ability to produce and assess high-quality scans and quality-control images, using independent judgment to recognize abnormal or unacceptable results.
• Knowledge and skill in using ancillary equipment and understanding how its results affect study outcomes.
• Knowledge of physiologic processes related to altered radiopharmaceutical uptake and artifact findings.
• Ability to obtain, assess, and document pre-therapy preparation information and provide post-therapy patient education following advanced therapy administration.
• Ability to develop imaging protocols, analyze increased radiation exposure, recommend ways to reduce exposure, and analyze and address consequences of improper radioactive-material packaging.
• Must pass applicable pre-employment screening, including a physical examination and, for testing-designated positions, drug testing; must meet background and security requirements and participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Must complete required application and onboarding documentation; male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, during which continued employment is subject to written certification that it advances the public interest.
• Work may involve exposure to infection or contagious diseases and requires use of standard precautions and isolation techniques as indicated.
• Physical demands include walking, kneeling, bending, standing, reaching above shoulder level, and moderate lifting or carrying of machinery and other items.

Nice To Haves

• Highly qualified applicants who meet the criteria may be eligible for relocation assistance and recruitment incentives.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialized nuclear medicine procedures and act as a technical liaison for the nuclear network, assisting VA and non-VA affiliates with real-time procedural problem-solving.
• Guide students, provide didactic information, monitor their activities, and participate in their selection, training, performance appraisal, procedural mastery, and internship completion approval.
• Assist the Chief Technologist in maintaining and updating clinical procedures, while working without direct supervision.
• Order required radiopharmaceutical doses through the radio-pharmacy daily.
• Complete annual VA training and maintain current NMTCB credentials through continuing education.
• Perform routine and specialized nuclear medicine imaging and functional studies, including less common Octreotide and infectious imaging studies, and bone and thyroid therapies.
• Acquire and analyze imaging and research data, select or modify acquisition programs, and assess studies for image quality and the need for additional images.
• Compound radiopharmaceuticals, prepare appropriate dosages, verify pharmaceutical quality and administered activity, determine administration routes, and perform specialized injection techniques or assist physicians with therapeutic administration.
• Prepare, calibrate, and quality-check imaging, counting, and ancillary equipment, including gamma cameras, dose calibrators, well counters, and uptake units.
• Perform PET/CT duties when covering for absent coworkers in that department.
• Schedule inpatient, outpatient, and outside-hospital referrals, using judgment to determine appropriate equipment parameters for each patient or study.
• Review clinical data; verify patient identification; check for contamination or personal articles that could interfere with an accurate study; and provide necessary patient care.
• Explain procedures, conduct cardiac stress testing, use safety and shielding devices, take vital signs, maintain oxygen administration, perform venipunctures and start IVs, and perform CPR when necessary.
• Obtain and assess pre-therapy patient preparation information, provide post-therapy patient education, develop imaging protocols, and analyze radiation-exposure or radioactive-material packaging issues.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits depend on position status and eligibility.
• Annual leave accrual may be credited for qualifying prior federal work or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed