Nuclear Medicine Technologist

Summary

Nuclear Medicine Technologists independently perform advanced nuclear medicine and fusion imaging (PET/CT, SPECT/CT, PET/MR). They handle complex diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, maintain equipment and quality controls, follow NRC/DOT/OSHA/VA regulations, and require multimodality certifications to safely perform imaging, contrast use, and result evaluation.

Duties

• Duties include, however, not limited to: The Nuclear Medicine Technologist has the responsibility for providing a wide range of specialized and complex nuclear medicine procedures, including diagnostic imaging, therapy with unsealed radioactive materials, radio-assay, in-vivo or in-vitro cell labeling; evaluating abnormal results; using and maintaining equipment; setting up and monitoring quality control; working within guidelines from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission INRC), Department of Transportation (DOT), National Health Physics Program, Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA) among others. Calculate, prepare, assay, and administer radiopharmaceutical doses by injection, inhalation or ingestion as prescribed, which includes the compounding of cold pharmaceutical kits with the required radioactive agent under sterility requirements. Proficient in introducing intravenous catheters in patients for administration of radiopharmaceuticals and/or pharmaceuticals. Calculate the required pharmaceutical dosage for procedures; prepare pharmaceuticals for injection, such as sincalide, lasix, captopril, adenosine, dipyridamole, regadenoson, and dobutamine; and administer the pharmaceuticals with the Nuclear Medicine Physician and/or the Nuclear Medicine Physician Assistant. Operate nuclear medicine equipment such as gamma cameras, well counters, multi channel analyzers, GM survey meters and room monitors, thyroid uptake systems, and dose calibrators for various patient procedures. Operate bone density systems and analyze images for bone composition comparisons. Receive patients, explain procedure, answer questions and evaluate the patient's medical condition and tolerability for the procedure, position patient for all necessary imaging steps and tend to their comfort for the duration of the procedure. Perform a full range of nuclear medicine diagnostic imaging, non-imaging, In-vitro and therapeutic procedures, including highly specialized computer assisted studies such as gated, tomographic, dual-modality (SPECT/CT and PET/CT), and quantitative procedures. Demonstrate a thorough understanding of personnel requiring film badges. Read and understand the film badge exposure report. Prepare studies for nuclear medicine physician's interpretation by ensuring completeness of all forms involved in the procedure. Record appropriate data and related information on the proper patient worksheet and images. Analyze procedure images for quality and obtain additional images when necessary. Correctly administer radiopharmaceuticals and pharmaceuticals to patients. Utilizes necessary quality management methods of patient identification such as using two unique identifiers and using active rather than passive identification. Obtain pertinent clinical data from the patient, electronic chart, requisition, and interviewing the patient and/or family. Recognize potential radiation contamination by visual and mechanical method. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday (rotating shifts) and on-call. Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 62040F 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/.