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Summary The Radiation Oncology Service Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist Team Leader position is assigned to the Miami VA Healthcare System, Radiation Oncology Service within the Bruce W. Carter VA Medical Center. This is a general medical and surgical facility, classified as a Level 1A facility. It is a teaching hospital, providing a full range of patient care services, with state-of-the-art technology as well as education and limited research. Responsibilities Operate equipment in accordance with departmental Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to preform warm-up procedures and treatment operations on Varian linear accelerators, including 3D, IMRT Rapid Arc, IGRT, electron therapy, and all complex radiation treatment procedures (i.e., SBRT, SBRT w/ compression belt, SRS, prone breast treatment) and routinely perform without guidance or assistance from supervisor or peers. This includes multi-leaf collimation, portal vision operations, and OBI on-board imager. Full implementation of patient and staff safety precautions, hospital patient identification policy and treatment verification procedures Identifies individual patient by the required identification methods set forth by hospital policy and departmental procedures before assisting in simulation and each daily radiation treatment is delivered. Verifies patient consent prior to assisting in CT simulation. Must be alert to patient's condition and other disorders. Reactions on the part of the patient require immediate attention so that harm does not come to the patient. Knowledge of basic nursing procedures, examination preparation and contraindications. Validate/identify tattoos and or markings on patient's skin required for locating treatment area. Verifies patient's treatment area daily in the treatment machine vault. Independently operates CT Simulator and performs all basic and complex simulations. Follows directives, designs custom immobilizations for reproducible set-ups, obtains optimal imaging. Independently utilize a Linac's On Board Imaging system and interpret the images using in-depth knowledge of anatomy to implement changes. Provide guidance for more in-depth complex imaging. Utilizes advanced problem-solving skills to resolve difficult treatment set up issues, remaining within the limits of sound radiation therapy practices and within the scope of the therapist's training, experience and authority. And provides guidance to lower level TRT's and students. Provides technical oversight and assign personnel, utilizing staff to provide the optimal level of patient care each day. Skilled to deliver treatments, mentor and provide oversight to lower level TRT's with basic and complex radiation treatments on a Linear Accelerator, as prescribed by the Radiation Oncologist. Instructs and trains TRTs on Record and Verify System. Resolves informal employee complaints and minor differences of opinions using problem solving skills. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30am- 4:00pm Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. 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. Certification. All applicants must be certified in therapeutic radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT) (T). Experience or Education. Completion of a program in therapeutic radiologic technology, evidenced by a certificate or an associate's degree, accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT); certification by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) in Radiology, and the subsequent completion of a 12-month JRCERT approved program in therapeutic radiologic technology. JRCERT is the accrediting agency for the radiation therapy programs recognized by the US Department of Education. Public Law 97-35 requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75. Essentially, they must have successfully completed an educational program that meets or exceeds the standards described in that regulation, and is accredited by an organization recognized by the Department of Education, and be certified (registered) as radiation therapists in their field. Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for ARRT (T) certification may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate TRT under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405 (a) (1) (D). Failure to obtain certification during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment. This may result in termination of employment. English Language Proficiency. TRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. 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 Determination: Lead Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist, GS-11 Experience. Completion of at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, that is directly related to the position to be filled and that demonstrates possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to provide services as a therapeutic radiologic technology team leader, or supervisory TRT, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): Ability to provide feedback to supervisor on technical aspects of work; *Ability to resolve informal employee complaints; *Ability to monitor and report on the status and progress of work and make adjustments to accomplish the workload in accordance with established procedures; and Ability to independently perform general and specialized therapeutic radiologic oncology procedures in advanced level of complexity treatment situations. References: VA Handbook 5005/15 Part II, Appendix G26 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: The work requires long periods of standing and walking. There is some bending and carrying of moderately heavy articles such as film cassettes, treatment devices, and molds with heavier lifting of wedges and specially designed shielding blocks. Patients often are assisted to achieve proper positioning, which may require reaching, lifting, or working in strained positions. The deterioration of the patient due to disease progression often requires lifting of the patient from stretchers or wheelchairs to treatment and examination tables utilizing special techniques designed to minimize the discomfort of the patient. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. Additional Information This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. 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. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members. If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.