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Summary This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants are ineligible . Responsibilities A Lead Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist (Dosimetrist), referred to as "Lead Medical Dosimetrist" is a member of the radiation oncology team working collaboratively with the Medical Physicist and Radiation Oncologist meeting cancer patients' needs through radiation therapy. Functions: Ability to perform lead duties such as orientation and training for staff, provide input for yearly appraisals, direct progress and coordinate dosimetric work. Ability to develop the Quality Improvement Program by evaluating, establishing and implementing departmental policies, standard operating procedures and department compliance with the national program office, radiation accrediting agencies, hospital and outside governing body standards. Ability to solve complex technical problems by instructing and providing oversight to lower level Medical Dosimetrists and trainees with regard to treatment planning, using the Record and Verify System (or other similar systems), using newly acquired equipment and other devices and products within the service. Ability to successfully communicate with the radiation oncology team and other internal and external customers to manage patients' needs. Ability to provide broad oversight and assist in the application of specific methods of patient and/or treatment planning as directed by Medical Physicists. Knowledge of the care and use of radioactive resources for implementation and treatment delivery. Reviews and evaluates dosimetry leave requests to assure adequate coverage is maintained before recommending supervisor approval of leave. Skill at effective communication and leadership as demonstrated by providing orientation and training for staff, providing input for yearly appraisals, directing progress and coordination of workload, and ensuring compliance with standard operating procedures and directives to provide continuity of care. Skill in providing guidance and expertise related to all aspects of the treatment planning process. Skill to independently perform complex treatment procedures as evidenced by completing tasks such as developing and troubleshooting highly complex isodose treatment plans delineating critical structures and tumor volumes, performing weekly chart checks, performing QA verifications and providing training on all aspects of the Record and Verify System such as Mosaiq or Aria. Ability to resolve complex physical and geometric errors in radiation equipment, simulation procedures and treatment delivery implementation. Ability to follow protocols including but not limited to developing and implementing policies and standard operating procedures, participating in research programs, ensuring compliance with the radiation safety office, national program office, and accrediting agencies, and following established quality standard measures. Ability to apply a broad range of specific methods of radiation measurements including, but not limited to, diode, ion chamber, thermoluminescent dosimeter, or film measurement as directed by a qualified Medical Physicist and perform or assist with the QA procedures as directed by a qualified Medical Physicist. Knowledge of radiation safety practices, including reporting discrepancies and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, quality standards, accrediting agencies, policies, and standard operating procedures. Skill at importing diagnostic imaging studies from multiple media types and image fusion using CT, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET), and positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET CT) for complex treatment planning. Skill in using computer treatment software to develop an accurate deliverable complex plan such as 3D conformal, intensity-modulated radiation therapy, Volumetric Arc Therapy and stereotactic techniques, dose limitation to critical structures, Record and Verify software, and quality assurance (QA) methods following the directive outlined by the radiation oncologist. Ability to effectively communicate all aspects of the directive and treatment planning process with the radiation oncology team to solve complex clinical treatment challenges. Ability to delineate and accurately contour critical structures and tumor volumes used to develop a deliverable treatment plan through an in-depth knowledge of cross-sectional anatomy and all diagnostic imaging modalities. Work Schedule: 8am-4:30pm Monday-Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 70300-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency : Medical Dosimetrists must be proficient in spoken and written English. See 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f) Education ( Submit transcript) : Effective January 1, 2017, candidates are required to hold a minimum of a bachelor's degree and graduate from a medical dosimetry program of at least 12 months in duration. The medical dosimetry program must be accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT), or other accrediting bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. JRCERT is the accrediting agency for the medical dosimetry programs recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. Foreign equivalency evaluation from The Foundation for International Services, Inc. or the International Education Research Foundation is required. Foreign equivalency documentation from any other organization will not be considered. Certification: All applicants must be certified in medical dosimetry by the MDCB. Certified Medical Dosimetry (CMD) is the recognized credential for Medical Dosimetrists. NOTE: CMDs who perform therapeutic radiologic technologist duties must also possess ARRT(T) certification and be assigned to a functional statement that combines both types of work. NOTE: The Consumer-Patient Radiation Health and Safety Act of 1981, P.L. 97- 35 requires persons who administer Therapeutic Radiological procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 C.F.R. § 75. They must have completed an educational program meeting or exceeding the standards described in that regulation and be accredited by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or be a Radiation Therapist certified in medical dosimetry Grandfathering Provision. Employees in VHA in this occupation, under a permanent, appropriate, and legal placement on the effective date of the qualification standard, are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade and/or assignment held, including positive education and certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed, the following provisions apply: Employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level or changed to a lower grade within the occupation but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. Employees in an occupation requiring certification only at higher grade levels must meet the certification requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels. Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the standard's basic requirements. Employees retained in this occupation under this provision who subsequently leave this occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain additional education and/or certification that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment. NOTE: This provision is not intended to regularize appointments/ placements. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: Lead Medical Dosimetrist, GS-12 Experience. At this level, candidates must possess at least one year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level and must fully meet the KSAs at that level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Ability to perform lead duties such as orientation and training for staff, provide input for yearly appraisals, direct progress and coordinate dosimetric work. Ability to develop the Quality Improvement Program by evaluating, establishing and implementing departmental policies, standard operating procedures and department compliance with the national program office, radiation accrediting agencies, hospital and outside governing body standards. Ability to solve complex technical problems by instructing and providing oversight to lower-level Medical Dosimetrists and trainees with regard to treatment planning, using the Record and Verify System (or other similar systems), using newly acquired equipment and other devices and products within the service. Ability to successfully communicate with the radiation oncology team and other internal and external customers to manage patients' needs. Ability to provide broad oversight and assist in the application of specific methods of patient and/or treatment planning as directed by Medical Physicists. DEVIATIONS. The establishment of a position and subsequent placement of an individual in a grade or assignment not described in the hybrid title 38 qualification standard must be approved by the Under Secretary for Health or designee prior to placement. Under no circumstance will educational requirements necessary to meet basic qualifications or assignment specific educational requirements be waived. Under no circumstance will the credential (i.e., license, certification, and/or registration) requirements to meet basic qualifications or assignment specific credentials be waived unless an exception provision is provided in the qualification standard. In rare and unusual circumstance(s), the Under Secretary for Health or designee may approve requests for reasonable deviations to the grade determination requirements for an individual whose composite record of experience, accomplishments, performance, and qualifications warrant such action based on demonstrated competence to meet the requirements of the grade and/or assignment. Preferred Experience: 5 years minimum Senior Dosimetry Experience; Board Certified Dosimetrist; Ray Station TPS; Mosaiq R&V; RadCalc MU Check; MIM Protege AI; Excel; Word; CPRS Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service. Education Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.