Nuclear Medicine Technologist

Akiva Ai•Long Beach, CA

1d•$125,000 - $145,000•Onsite

About The Position

AKIVA is hiring Nuclear Medicine Technologists to prepare and administer radiopharmaceuticals and perform nuclear medicine diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for the Veterans served by the VA Long Beach Healthcare System. This labor category aligns with the VA ICSP Nuclear Medicine Technologist definition (OPM series GS-0601). Work is performed under the direction of a VA nuclear medicine physician and in accordance with Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) licensure (or Agreement State), California Radiologic Health Branch regulations, Joint Commission standards, ACR Nuclear Medicine Accreditation, and VA policy governing the handling, administration, and disposal of radioactive materials.

Requirements

Successful completion of a training program for nuclear medicine technologists accredited by JRCNMT, JRCERT, or another Department of Education–recognized accreditor (consistent with 42 CFR Part 75 credentialing)
Active certification by the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) or ARRT(N), in good standing
Active California Department of Public Health Radiologic Health Branch (CRT) permit or Nuclear Medicine Technologist certification as required by the modality mix of the assignment
Minimum of one (1) year of nuclear medicine clinical experience (or equivalent training under the ICSP month-for-month substitution)
Demonstrated proficiency with PACS, RIS, and nuclear medicine acquisition and processing workstations
Current American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS); ACLS required for therapeutic radionuclide administration assignments
Ability to obtain and maintain VA credentialing through VetPro and a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) credential
Ability to pass a federal background investigation (minimum Tier 1 / NACI) and meet all VA immunization, TB screening, and occupational health requirements
Strong written and verbal communication skills, attention to detail, and a patient-centered orientation
Must be authorized to work in the United States

Nice To Haves

Prior experience at a VA Medical Center, DoD Military Treatment Facility, or Indian Health Service facility
PET/CT or SPECT/CT dual-modality experience
Experience with theranostics (Lu-177, I-131, Ra-223) and handling of unsealed therapeutic radionuclides
NMTCB advanced certifications (e.g., NCT, PET, NMAA) or ARRT(CT) in addition to ARRT(N)
Experience with CPRS, VistA Imaging, or Cerner Millennium
Bilingual ability in Spanish, Tagalog, Vietnamese, or Korean
Veteran status (AKIVA applies a Veteran hiring preference consistent with federal law)
Two or more years of nuclear medicine clinical experience

Responsibilities

Prepare, calibrate, and administer radiopharmaceuticals for diagnostic and therapeutic nuclear medicine procedures
Perform planar, SPECT, SPECT/CT, PET/CT, and hybrid imaging studies in accordance with protocol and clinical indication
Operate gamma cameras, PET/CT scanners, dose calibrators, survey meters, and ancillary nuclear medicine instrumentation safely and efficiently
Verify patient identity, obtain informed consent as applicable, and explain procedures and post-procedure radiation-safety instructions
Monitor patients during and after radiopharmaceutical administration for adverse reactions, extravasation, and distribution abnormalities; escalate as required
Document administered activity, lot numbers, decay calculations, and procedural data in CPRS, VistA Imaging, and RIS
Maintain radiation-safety records, area surveys, wipe tests, and waste decay logs consistent with NRC, Agreement State, and VA Radiation Safety Officer requirements
Perform daily QC on all nuclear medicine instrumentation (uniformity, center-of-rotation, sensitivity, energy resolution, linearity) and flag discrepancies
Support the handling, storage, transport, and disposal of radioactive materials per 10 CFR Parts 19, 20, and 35
Participate in ACR Nuclear Medicine Accreditation activities and Joint Commission readiness
Deliver patient-centered, Veteran-focused care with cultural humility and sensitivity to service-connected conditions