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Summary Performs a wide variety of functional imaging and non-imaging radionuclide studies requiring the administration of radiopharmaceuticals and the use of specialized equipment such as integrated computer / gamma camera systems and counting instruments. The work requires a professional knowledge of the field of Nuclear Medicine technology and the aspects of chemistry, physics, mathematics, and biomedical science that relates to nuclear medicine and radiation safety. Responsibilities Functions: a. Independently performs routine and complex diagnostic imaging procedures including static, dynamic, whole body, SPECT, SPECT/CT, and PET/CT studies. b. Prepares and administers radiopharmaceuticals by injection, by inhalation, or orally. Observes precautions relative to radiation hazard, sterility, and radiochemical purity. Calculates volume and amount of activity following protocols approved by the Chief of Nuclear Medicine. c. Has working knowledge of the procedure manual protocols but can independently create new or modify existing imaging protocols as required based on clinical presentation and request of the nuclear medicine physician. d. Receives patients, appropriately verifies patient identity, explains procedure, answers questions relating to the procedure, positions patient for all necessary views and provides for the patient's comfort for the duration of the procedure. e. Obtains pertinent clinical data from the patient, electronic chart, requisition, and patient interview to choose the appropriate imaging protocol for all procedures. Obtains blood glucose for FDG PET exams and determines if in appropriate range. f. Administers PET tracers, determines amount administered, and operates PET-CT scanner. g. Determines if additional information is needed from the patient to clarify test results. Identifies positive results and notifies the nuclear medicine radiologist immediately. h. Assists radiologist in special administration of radiopharmaceuticals (cisternography, lymphoscintigraphy) and in therapeutic nuclear medicine procedures. The technologist ensures the informed consent and written directive are properly documented and the dose is accurately assayed. i. Follows radiation safety practices to minimize exposure to patients, staff, and self. This is achieved using shielding and appropriate PPE in accordance with ALARA principles. Perform daily and weekly surveys to verify the absence of radioactive contamination. j. Maintains records associated with receipt, administration, and disposal of radionuclides for nuclear medicine, radiation oncology, and research labs as mandated by the National Health Physics Program and Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Immediate reports to the RSO any packages not compliant with regulations. k. Works with the patient's electronic health record (EHR) in accordance with permissions granted by the nuclear medicine technologists' functional category. Registers and edits exams, enters notes for procedures performed as well as verify studies sent to the DVAHCS PACS system (McKesson). l. Performs physiologic and pharmacologic stress testing under the supervision of cardiology staff. Must understand the basics of EKG administration and interpretation. m. Explains exams to patients in a manner the patient can understand what is to be done as well as what hazards, if any, are possible. May be required by the procedure or patient's condition to monitor vital signs, recognize allergic reactions, and initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation. n. Calibrates and performs quality control on gamma cameras, SPECT/CT, PET/CT, and a variety of non-imaging instruments including well and liquid scintillation counters, thyroid uptake probe, and various survey meters. o. Assists radiation safety staff in managing personnel dosimetry program, including the distribution and collection of monitoring badges. p. Performs prescribed dose calibrator linearity and accuracy checks. Radiation Safety: a. Follows radiation safety practices to minimize exposure to the patient, staff, and self. This is achieved by using shielding and appropriate PPE in accordance with ALARA principles. Performs daily and weekly laboratory surveys to verify absence of radioactive contamination. b. Maintains records associated with receipt, administration, and disposal of radio nuclides as mandated by the NHPP and NRC. Immediately reports to RSO any packages not compliant with regulations. Understands the consequences of improper packaging. c. Performs, with the authorized user, therapeutic nuclear medicine procedures and understands the significance of post therapy exposure levels and restrictions on patient release from the service. d. Assists the RSO in establishing routine monitoring of rooms associated with the Nuclear Medicine service area. e. Assists nuclear medicine chief radiologist, nuclear medicine chief technologist, and the Radiation Safety Officer with maintenance and management of the radiation safety program. CT Certification is preferred but not required. Work Schedule: Mon-Fri 0630-1500 Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. 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 evaluation. 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. The basic requirements for employment as a NMT are prescribed in 38 U.S.C. § 7402(b)(14). To qualify for appointments as a NMT, all applicants must possess the following:] Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3.g., of this part.) Certification. All applicants must be certified in nuclear medicine technology by the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) or the American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT) (N). NMTCB or ARRT (N) certification eligibility requirements are normally satisfied by one of the following: [(1) Completion of a NMTCB-recognized nuclear medicine technology program, OR (2) Completion of a nuclear medicine technology program accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology (JRCNMT), or other accrediting agencies as recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), culminating in a certificate, associate, baccalaureate, or master's degree. Educational programs must have structured clinical training sufficient to provide clinical competency in radiation safety, instrumentation, clinical procedures, and radio-pharmacy, as deemed acceptable by the NMTCB. NOTE: Technologists functioning as multi-modality technologists require additional specific certifications as stated in assignment descriptions below.] Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019[, Employee Occupational Health Service.] English Language Proficiency. [NMTs] must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, of this part. GRADE REQUIREMENTS. [Nuclear Medicine Technologist. All individuals assigned to this occupation must have an approved title or parenthetical title, as described below: (1) Nuclear Medicine Technologist (2) Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Fusion Imaging Technologist) (3) Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Multi-Modality Technologist) (4) Lead Nuclear Medicine Technologist (5) Supervisory Nuclear Medicine Technologist (6) Supervisory Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Chief) (7) Nuclear Medicine Technologist (National or Regional Technologist) (8) Supervisory Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Imaging Program Administrator)] GRADE DETERMINATIONS.] Grade Determinations. In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: [Nuclear Medicine Technologist,] GS-11 Experience. [For assignments above the journey level, the candidate must have 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled and must fully meet the KSAs at that level. Assignments. For all assignments above the journey level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. NMTs at this level are fully functional as an advanced NMT and carry out their assigned tasks independently. NMTs at this level serve in advanced assignments and will have varying assignments, including special and complex imaging procedures, advanced therapies, clinical instruction, and quality management duties within the program. Advanced therapies may include, but are not limited to, yttrium-90, radium, and palliative bone pain therapy. Regardless of the nature of the specific assignment, the work must be of sufficient scope and complexity to meet the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform at this level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs: i. Ability to produce and assess high quality scans and quality control images using independent judgement to recognize abnormal or unacceptable results. ii. Knowledge and skill in use of ancillary equipment with an understanding of how the results will affect the study outcome. iii. Knowledge of physiological processes as they relate to altered radiopharmaceutical uptake and/or artefactual findings. iv. Ability to obtain, assess, and document pre-therapy patient preparation information and provide post-therapy patient education following proper administration of advanced therapy dose. v. Ability to develop new protocols for imaging procedures. vi. Ability to analyze instances of increased radiation exposure levels and recommend measures to reduce. vii. Ability to analyze consequences of improper packaging of radioactive material and take appropriate actions. 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 Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. 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.