Supervisory Nuclear Medicine Technologist

Veterans Health Administration • Durham, NC

25d

About The Position

The Supervisory Nuclear Medicine Technologist supervises Nuclear Medicine Technologists and oversees the administrative aspects of the Nuclear Medicine Service. The role also performs a broad range of specialized nuclear medicine procedures, including diagnostic imaging, therapy with unsealed radioactive materials, radioassay, and in-vivo or in-vitro cell labeling; evaluates abnormal results; and uses and maintains equipment.

The position assumes administrative and professional responsibility for planning and directing the nuclear medicine program and technologists above the journey level. It includes assigning and evaluating staff work, resolving service-delivery problems, and performing advanced nuclear medicine procedures independently. Higher-level duties must make up at least 25% of the work.

The work schedule is 0700–1730, Tuesday through Friday. Telework is ad hoc; the position is not virtual. The full-performance level is GS-12.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under applicable rules.
• Certification in nuclear medicine technology by the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) or the American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT (N)); certification must remain full, valid, and unrestricted.
• One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, directly related to the position, and meeting the KSAs at that level.
• Ability to assign and evaluate subordinate staff work and resolve problems that may interfere with nuclear medicine services.
• Skill in providing complex nuclear medicine patient procedures.
• Ability to develop and initiate protocols that apply current research findings.
• Skill in preparing administrative reports orally and in writing for higher-level authorities.
• Ability to interview candidates; recommend appointments, advancements, or appropriate disciplinary actions; evaluate performance; and identify continuing-education and training needs.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Completion of a pre-employment physical examination and required background/security investigation; applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing-designated position are subject to pre-employment urinalysis.
• Compliance with the seasonal influenza vaccination program for VA health care personnel.
• Male applicants born after 12/31/1959 must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Completion of the required online onboarding process and application documentation; acceptable identification is required for pre-employment requirements.
• Service of a one- or two-year trial period, with continued employment subject to written certification that it advances the public interest.

Responsibilities

• Supervise Nuclear Medicine Technologists and oversee administrative aspects of the Nuclear Medicine Service.
• Prepare, assay, and administer prescribed radiopharmaceutical doses by injection, inhalation, or ingestion.
• Introduce intravenous catheters for radiopharmaceutical or medication administration and respond promptly to medication or radiopharmaceutical side effects.
• Receive patients, explain procedures, answer questions, position patients, and attend to their comfort during procedures.
• Collect relevant clinical information from patients, electronic charts, requisitions, and patient or family interviews.
• Move wheelchair and litter patients safely using ergonomic patient-transfer methods.
• Operate nuclear medicine equipment, including gamma cameras, well counters, GM survey meters, thyroid uptake systems, and dose calibrators.
• Perform exposure-rate calculations and a full range of diagnostic imaging, non-imaging, in-vitro, and therapeutic procedures, including computer-assisted gated cardiac, tomographic, and quantitative studies.
• Stay current with imaging agents, procedures, and methods, and write departmental imaging protocols.
• Assess image quality and obtain additional images when needed; apply knowledge of three-dimensional anatomy.
• Administer radioactive pharmaceuticals using patient-identification quality-management methods, including two unique identifiers and active identification.
• Perform radionuclide therapy with the Nuclear Medicine Physician; receive and assay therapeutic doses, complete required forms, administer doses with the physician, and instruct patients, families, and nursing staff in radiation-safety precautions.
• Conduct radiation surveys, post caution signs, distribute personnel monitoring devices as required, and monitor and store radioactive waste for disposal.
• Review film-badge exposure reports, identify exposure patterns, and recommend actions to reduce exposure to the public, radiation workers, and self.
• Ensure procedure forms are complete and record appropriate data and related information on patient worksheets and images for physician interpretation.
• Schedule procedures based on equipment availability, procedure duration, patient condition, other appointments, contraindications, and urgency; inform patients of required preparations.
• Safely receive, handle, transport, use, and dispose of radioactive materials in accordance with NRC, NHPP, DOT, and license requirements; identify and address potential contamination and exposure, contacting the radiopharmacy and radiation safety officer as needed.
• Apply ALARA principles, analyze dosimetry reports, and institute or recommend additional radiation-safety precautions.
• Assign and evaluate subordinate staff work and resolve problems affecting nuclear medicine service delivery.
• Develop and initiate protocols based on current research findings.
• Prepare administrative reports orally and in writing for higher-level authorities.
• Interview candidates, recommend appointments, advancements, or disciplinary actions when appropriate, evaluate performance, and identify continuing-education and training needs.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific eligibility depends on position type.
• Selected applicants may request credit for prior federal employment or military service toward annual leave accrual, subject to approval and not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

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