Nuclear Med Technologist (Fusion Imaging)

Veterans Health Administration • North Chicago, IL

9d • Onsite

About The Position

The Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Fusion Imaging Technologist) performs technical work supporting the Diagnostic and Therapeutic Care Line, Nuclear Medicine section, under the direction of a Nuclear Medicine Physician or Radiologist. The technologist may be scheduled and assigned to all areas of the service and provides specialized nuclear medicine procedures, including diagnostic imaging, therapy with unsealed radioactive materials, radioassay, and in-vivo or in-vitro cell labeling. The role includes evaluating abnormal results, using and maintaining equipment, establishing and monitoring quality control, and following applicable regulatory and safety guidance, including requirements from the NRC, DOT, National Health Physics Program, and OSHA.

The position coordinates patient-care workflow and staff assignments, verifies patient identity and procedure orders, checks study appropriateness, and prepares radiopharmaceuticals and supplies. It includes receiving and surveying radioactive-material packages, maintaining by-product material records, supporting radiopharmaceutical therapies, and implementing radiation-safety practices to limit exposure and prevent unauthorized access to radioactive materials.

The technologist is responsible for equipment quality assurance and calibration, evaluating malfunctions and initiating repairs, and monitoring quality across instrumentation, procedures, and patient care. The role also involves producing and assessing fusion and quality-control images, recognizing and correcting system errors, and applying knowledge of physiologic processes and CT and/or MR techniques.

The work schedule is full-time, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. This is not a virtual position. Physical work includes prolonged standing, sitting, and walking; repeated bending, pushing, pulling, reaching, twisting, and carrying moderately heavy items. Patient positioning may require considerable effort and awkward positions; incapacitated patients are lifted only with assistance or an overhead lift. Near and far vision requirements apply, hearing aids are permitted, and emotional and mental stability are required.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with 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 Technologists (ARRT) (N), subject to the stated eligibility provisions.
• Completion of a recognized or accredited nuclear medicine technology program with structured clinical training in radiation safety, instrumentation, clinical procedures, and radio-pharmacy, unless qualifying under the applicable grandfathering provision.
• At least one year of creditable experience equivalent to GS-9, directly related to the position, and demonstration of the required GS-11 knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Ability to produce and assess high-quality fusion and quality-control images and independently recognize abnormal or unacceptable results.
• Practical knowledge and skill using ancillary equipment and understanding how its results affect study outcomes.
• Knowledge of physiologic processes as they relate to altered radiopharmaceutical uptake and/or artefactual findings.
• Knowledge of CT and/or MR radiographic techniques used in quality control and acquisition parameters.
• Ability to recognize and correct fusion imaging system errors.
• Ability to meet the position's physical requirements, including prolonged standing, sitting, and walking; repeated bending, pushing, pulling, reaching, twisting, and carrying items weighing 15–44 pounds; and assisting with positioning disabled patients.
• Correctable near and far vision within the stated standards; hearing aids are permitted.
• Emotional and mental stability.
• Compliance with applicable pre-employment conditions, including drug testing for tentatively selected applicants in testing-designated positions, background/security investigation, onboarding, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements for VA health-care personnel.

Nice To Haves

• PET/CT experience.

Responsibilities

• Organize and plan patient-care workflow and staff assignments to support efficient use of technical staff and scheduled examinations.
• Adjust assignments in response to changing schedules, emergencies, peak workloads, and staffing fluctuations.
• Verify patient identity, physician orders, and pregnancy status when appropriate; confirm that the requested study is appropriate.
• Receive radioactive-material packages, survey for external exposure and removable contamination, evaluate survey results, and take required notification actions when regulatory limits are exceeded.
• Review schedules and prepare appropriate Tc-99m-labeled radiopharmaceuticals, including MDP, Mebrofenin, Macroaggregated Albumin, MAG3, and DTPA; radiolabel meals for gastric-emptying studies.
• Maintain by-product material records for review and inspection.
• Manage equipment quality assurance, calibration, safe operation, and technical performance; evaluate malfunctions and initiate repairs.
• Monitor quality assurance for instrumentation, equipment, procedures, and patient care, and carry out radiology safety committee recommendations.
• Review procedure schedules to determine radiopharmaceutical and supply needs; order, receive, and reconcile supplies and ensure adequate availability.
• Evaluate procedures and adult and older-adult patients, identifying variances that may affect the patient or study outcome.
• Assist the Nuclear Medicine Physician with radiopharmaceutical therapies involving I-131, Sm-153, Ra-223, Y-90, and SR-89; ensure the authorized user has completed the written directive.
• Instruct patients, families, and nursing staff in radiation-safety precautions as needed.
• Implement the Radiation Safety Program and safely use, secure, and store sealed and unsealed radioactive sources.
• Maintain radiation exposures as low as reasonably achievable, calculate exposure rates, and post radiation caution signs as needed.
• Use personnel monitoring devices and bioassay to assess external exposure and internal contamination, analyze results, and take corrective action.
• Produce and assess fusion and quality-control images, recognize abnormal or unacceptable results, and recognize and correct fusion imaging system errors.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits and eligibility depend on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.
• Annual leave accrual may be credited for prior work or military service experience, subject to request and approval before appointment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Associate degree