Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist (Dosimetrist)

Veterans Health Administration • Detroit, MI

17d • Onsite

About The Position

The John D. Dingell VA Medical Center is recruiting a Medical Dosimetrist to work as part of the Radiation Oncology team in collaboration with Medical Physicists, Radiation Oncologists, therapists, nurses, and clerical staff. The position designs, calculates, documents, and helps implement radiation therapy treatment plans that deliver the prescribed dose to tumors while limiting exposure to healthy and dose-sensitive structures. The work includes computer-based and manual treatment planning, treatment-plan and dose verification, quality assurance, patient setup support, and assistance with brachytherapy procedures. A recruitment and/or relocation incentive may be offered to a highly qualified candidate. Relocation is not otherwise authorized.

The position is full performance level GS-12. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; the schedule may change based on agency needs. Telework is not available, and the position is not virtual. The work requires prolonged standing and walking, bending, carrying treatment-related items, and assisting patients with positioning and transfers.

Applicants must meet VA education and certification requirements. In general, candidates need a bachelor's degree and graduation from an accredited medical dosimetry program of at least 12 months, as well as Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board (MDCB) certification. Applicants hired to perform therapeutic radiologic technologist duties must also have ARRT(T) certification. A limited temporary appointment exception is described for otherwise eligible, non-certified candidates. For the GS-12 level, candidates must have at least one year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade and demonstrate the required technical knowledge, skills, and abilities. Preferred experience is board certification and one to three years of clinical experience, including IMRT, VMAT, and SBRT planning.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• For candidates subject to the standard education requirement: at least a bachelor's degree and graduation from a medical dosimetry program of at least 12 months accredited by JRCERT or another accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Candidates who graduated before January 1, 2017, may qualify under the stated exception if they meet MDCB requirements and are in good standing.
• MDCB certification in medical dosimetry is required. Applicants performing therapeutic radiologic technologist duties must also possess ARRT(T) certification and be assigned a combined functional statement.
• The posting describes a temporary graduate appointment exception for non-certified candidates who otherwise meet eligibility requirements; such candidates may only work under certified dosimetrist supervision at or above full performance level, may only be appointed at entry level, and must actively pursue certification.
• For GS-12, at least one year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade, demonstrating the relevant core competencies and KSAs.
• Knowledge of radioactive resources used in implementation and treatment delivery.
• Communication and leadership skills, including staff orientation and training, workload coordination, and promoting compliance with procedures and directives.
• Expertise in treatment planning and the ability to independently perform complex procedures, including complex isodose planning, delineation of critical structures and tumor volumes, weekly chart checks, QA verification, and Record and Verify System training.
• Ability to resolve complex physical and geometric errors involving radiation equipment, simulation procedures, and treatment implementation.
• Ability to follow protocols, develop and implement policies and procedures, participate in research programs, and support radiation safety, national program, accreditation, and quality requirements.
• Ability to apply radiation measurement methods such as diode, ion chamber, thermoluminescent dosimeter, or film measurement, and perform or assist with QA procedures as directed by a qualified Medical Physicist.
• Meet applicable pre-employment requirements, including background/security investigation, physical evaluation, and seasonal influenza vaccination; selected applicants must complete onboarding requirements.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, during which continued employment is subject to the stated written certification that it advances the public interest.
• Submit required application materials and education transcripts; foreign education must be supported by the specified equivalency evaluation documentation.

Nice To Haves

• Board certification.
• One to three years of clinical experience, including IMRT, VMAT, and SBRT planning.

Responsibilities

• Enter irregular fields, patient contours, and other beam data into the treatment-planning computer accurately and promptly.
• Enter approved treatment fields into the record-and-verify system and ensure patient data are correctly transferred to the treatment machine.
• Calculate radiation doses for treatment ports, tumors, organs, and other structures while considering tissue tolerance and protecting normal tissue.
• Develop isocentric and other computer-based or manual treatment plans that meet the Radiation Oncologist's prescription and account for dose-limiting structures.
• Present treatment-plan options to the appropriate physician for selection and approval.
• Track upcoming boosts and prepare treatment fields, chart information, setup notes, photographs, and filming schedules.
• Document treatment factors and setup diagrams needed for accurate and understandable treatment delivery, and record final doses for treatment areas.
• Assist CT technologists and ensure CT scans are promptly delivered for dosimetry image formatting.
• Collaborate with Radiation Oncologists, therapists, nursing staff, and clerical staff as part of the radiation therapy team.
• Follow safety and health standards, use required protective equipment, and promptly report unsafe conditions, practices, occupational illness, or injury.
• Assist the oncologist with brachytherapy procedures while maintaining sterile technique.
• Supervise, perform, or assist in producing moulds, casts, and other immobilization devices.
• Work with radiation therapists to implement treatment plans, including immobilization devices, beam-modification devices, field arrangements, and other treatment variables.
• Use imaging modalities to create conventional or IMRT plans intended to treat tumors while reducing dose to nearby sensitive structures.
• Perform and document calculations for delivery of prescribed doses, and verify calculation accuracy using a system established by the Medical Physicist.
• Perform or assist with radiation measurement methods as directed by a qualified Medical Physicist.
• Communicate technical treatment-planning and medical-physics information to Radiation Oncologists for approval and Radiation Therapists for implementation.
• Operate the treatment-planning system and perform quality assurance on it.
• Interpret and execute treatment plans in accordance with relevant treatment protocols.
• Provide guidance and expertise on treatment planning; perform complex planning and troubleshooting, chart checks, QA verifications, and Record and Verify System training as applicable to the grade-level qualifications.
• Follow protocols and quality standards, and support policies, standard operating procedures, research programs, radiation-safety compliance, and accreditation requirements as applicable to the grade-level qualifications.

Benefits

• A federal employee benefits package is available; specific benefit eligibility depends on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior federal, other work, or military service; credit must be requested and approved before appointment and is not guaranteed.
• A recruitment incentive and/or relocation incentive may be offered to a highly qualified candidate.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior