Supervisory Nuclear Medicine Technologist

Veterans Health Administration•Oklahoma City, OK

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Supervisory Nuclear Medicine Technologist oversees the administrative, clinical, technical, and safety functions of the Nuclear Medicine Service at the Oklahoma City VA Medical Center. The position carries responsibility for planning and directing the nuclear medicine program and supervising technologists, while independently performing complex diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. The technologist manages daily service operations, staffing, training, performance evaluation, work assignments, budgets, contracts, supplies, equipment, records, and departmental policies and protocols. The role also monitors workload, coding, patient wait times, pending orders, and performance measures, and coordinates service planning with the Chief of Nuclear Medicine. The incumbent serves as the designated Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) and Environment of Care (EOC) Coordinator. Clinical work includes general and cardiac imaging, PET/CT, SPECT/CT, specialized functional studies, non-imaging procedures, and assistance with cardiac stress testing and advanced radiopharmaceutical therapies. The technologist assesses patients, administers authorized radiopharmaceuticals and medications, evaluates image quality, documents care, monitors patient condition, and responds to emergencies. The position oversees radiopharmaceutical handling and inventory, equipment quality assurance, and the Radiation Safety Program in coordination with the Radiation Safety Officer. It ensures compliance with applicable radiation protection, patient safety, infection control, environmental safety, emergency preparedness, and regulatory requirements. The technologist also supports quality improvement, research, clinical instruction, staff education, and inspections and audits. Work schedule is full-time, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Telework is not available, and the position is not virtual. Rotational on-call coverage is included.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship is required, subject to the stated exception for appointment of non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
Certification in nuclear medicine technology by the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) or the American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT) (N).
One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, directly related to the position, and meeting the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Proficiency in spoken and written English.
Ability to assign and evaluate subordinate staff work and resolve problems that may interfere with nuclear medicine service delivery.
Skill in providing complex nuclear medicine patient procedures.
Ability to develop and initiate protocols that apply current research findings.
Skill in preparing and presenting administrative reports orally and in writing to higher-level authorities.
Ability to interview candidates; recommend appointments, advancements, or disciplinary actions; evaluate performance; and identify training and continuing education needs.
Ability to stand, sit, and walk for up to eight hours, and to bend, push, pull, reach, twist, and use both hands.
Ability to carry items weighing 15–44 pounds, position patients with disabilities, work in awkward positions, and use safe patient-handling equipment for heavy lifting.
Emotional and mental stability.
Compliance with applicable pre-employment screening, background investigation, onboarding, identification, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.

Responsibilities

Direct daily Nuclear Medicine Service operations and assign, supervise, and evaluate staff performance, competencies, and workload.
Manage staffing, recruitment, performance evaluations, training, leave requests, overtime, work assignments, and on-call schedules.
Resolve operational issues affecting patient care and maintain adequate staffing and efficient service delivery.
Develop, implement, and maintain departmental policies, procedures, protocols, and functional statements.
Monitor workload, CPT coding, patient wait times, pending orders, and performance measures for accurate documentation and compliance.
Manage radiopharmaceutical contracts, budgets, supplies, invoices, and equipment acquisition or replacement recommendations.
Prepare administrative reports, maintain records, and coordinate long-range planning and service development with the Chief of Nuclear Medicine.
Serve as the designated Contracting Officer's Representative and Environment of Care Coordinator.
Independently perform complex diagnostic nuclear medicine procedures, including general and cardiac imaging, PET/CT, SPECT/CT, and specialized studies.
Assess patients, verify identity and orders, review medical history, confirm preparation and consent, and ensure patient safety.
Administer radiopharmaceuticals, interventional medications, and other authorized agents under established protocols.
Assist physicians and physician assistants with cardiac stress testing and specialized diagnostic procedures.
Evaluate images and computer-generated results for quality, accuracy, artifacts, and completeness; recognize unacceptable results and take corrective action.
Perform non-imaging procedures, prepare examinations for physician interpretation, complete clinical documentation, and report workload accurately.
Monitor patients during procedures, respond to emergencies, and communicate significant clinical concerns to appropriate healthcare providers.
Assist nuclear medicine physicians with advanced radiopharmaceutical therapies, including I-131, Y-90, Ra-223, and other authorized treatments; verify doses, document administration, and provide post-treatment radiation safety instructions.
Oversee receipt, preparation, administration, inventory, storage, and disposal of radioactive materials in accordance with applicable regulations.
Manage equipment quality assurance, including calibration, routine quality-control testing, troubleshooting, maintenance, and documentation.
Implement and monitor the Radiation Safety Program in coordination with the Radiation Safety Officer.
Ensure radiation protection practices, including personnel monitoring, contamination surveys, radioactive waste disposal, spill response, decontamination, and ALARA.
Maintain records and ensure compliance with NRC, NHPP, Joint Commission, and other federal requirements.
Ensure compliance with patient safety, infection control, environmental safety, emergency preparedness, and hazardous materials procedures.
Participate in quality improvement initiatives, clinical research, pharmaceutical trials, and development of new procedures and protocols.
Provide clinical instruction and evaluate students; coordinate staff training and continuing education.
Prepare for and participate in inspections, audits, Environment of Care rounds, and regulatory reviews.
Perform other related duties as assigned.