Therapeutic Radiologic Technician

Summary

This position is located at the Central Virginia VA Healthcare System in Richmond, Virginia. The Radiation Oncology Service Therapeutic Radiologic Technician is a graduate of an approved program in therapeutic Radiologic Technology, evidence by a certificate, an associate's degree or Bachelor Degree from an accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) and certification by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) (T).

Duties

• Duties to include but not limited to: - Schedules treatments in a manner as to optimize accelerator times while maintaining flexibility for emergency cases. This requires the ability to prioritize scheduled patients as well as the ability to accommodate the emergency patient who may need immediate simulation and treatment. - Performs quality control of the treatment machines by taking recorded readings every morning prior to patient treatments using the dosimetry verification and record system for each energy level. - Identifies individual patient by the required identification methods set forth by hospital policy before simulation or radiation treatment is delivered. - Verifies patient consent and treatment area. - Prepares contrast materials under supervision that are to be used for treatment simulations. Ensures proper use or administration of the contrast materials to avoid the risk of patient mortality, therefore it is essential that the therapist has a thorough understanding of contrast material usage. - 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. - Properly operates CT simulator under guidance as necessary, provides reproducible patient treatment position sets-ups. That can be accurately used for daily treatments on the Linear Accelerator. - Provides custom patient immobilization devices as requested. - After CT scan is acquired and isocenter or reference point is obtained, the therapist will provide set up DRR's for use in treatment planning and transfer the data set to the dosimetry section. - Indicates on patient's skin/custom mask with tattoos and or markings necessarily needed to locate treatment area. - Fabricates and verifies templates used for radiation treatments as needed or required. - Obtains isocenter verification, treatment field verification of conformal blocking, with multi­ leaf collimator, or cerro-bend blocking. - Obtains isocenter verification as needed by the use of EPID, cone bean CT and or the use of the on-board imaging system under oversight as required. - Utilizes electronic and radiation treatment chart for set-up instructions, field size, field shaping, SSD, field compensators and beam restrictions. - Employs any necessary accessory beam restriction devices, i.e., wedges, bolus, collimator angles, or cerro bend blocks for fields to be treated. - Verifies correct multi-leaf collimation and electronic dynamic wedges. - Delivers prescribed mode of treatment in accordance with prescribed radiation prescription. This includes,conventional,3-D conformal, electron delivery, IMRT treatment delivery, and IGRT treatment delivery (SRS, SBRT) and brachytherapy procedures. - Maintains patient records and files. Follows HIPP A guidelines regarding patient information. - Routinely takes port/verification images on patients under radiation treatment, to maintain record of treatment accuracy in accordance to departmental procedures, verifies any changes in accordance with the physicians request. - Promptly records in patient's electronic treatment chart/or physical chart any change in treatment, i.e., change in patients SSD reading, change in field measurements, adjustments to position of treatment field, or patients treatment status if not treated, in order to make corrections in the treatment calendar, calculations or prescription if needed. - Performs irregular hour emergency treatments on standby, 24 hours per day coverage, with availability within 45 minutes from receipt of call so that proper and effective emergency care can be given to the patient after completion of training and deemed competent. After Probation period and completion of Rotations on all Treatment and Simulation machines and competency in all areas per Chief Therapist. - Knowledgeable of the Radiation Oncology Excel calculation program for use with emergency patients. - Works with Radiation Oncologists, Residents, Dosimetrists, Department Nurse, Research Nurse, Social Worker, and Clerical staff, as a member of the radiation therapy team to effectively and efficiently accomplish the goals of the radiation therapy team. - Continually keeping current with new developments in the field of radiation therapy and being able to utilize the new technologies available. - Providing the patients with accurate and compassionate treatment. Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday - Friday, 8-4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. 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.

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/.