Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Fusion Imaging Technologist)

<p>This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until filled or September 30, 2026. All eligible applicants will be reviewed and referred to the hiring manager at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis.</p><h3>Major Duties</h3><p>Prepare, assay, and administer radiopharmaceutical doses by injection, inhalation or ingestion as prescribed. Be proficient in introducing intravenous catheters in patients for administration of radiopharmaceuticals and/or medications. Be knowledgeable regarding possible side effects of radiopharmaceuticals and other medications, such as Lasix and captopril, to be administered. Take immediate action to remedy any noted effects. Receive patients, explain procedure, answer questions relating to the procedure, position patient for all necessary views and tend to their comfort for the duration of the procedure. Obtain pertinent clinical data from the patient, electronic chart, requisition, and interviewing the patient and/or family. Move wheelchair and litter patients safely by using ergonomic methods of patient transfer. Operate nuclear medicine equipment such as gamma cameras, well counters, GM survey meters, thyroid uptake system, and dose calibrators for various patient procedures. Understand and be able to perform exposure rate calculations. Ability to document excessive radiation exposure in the working environment. Perform a full range of nuclear medicine diagnostic imaging, non-imaging, invitro and therapeutic procedures, including highly specialized computer assisted studies such as gated, tomographic, quantitative procedures including SPECT/CT. Keep up to date with new imaging agents, procedures and methods. Write imaging protocols for use in department. Analyze procedure images for quality. Obtain additional images when necessary. Correctly administer radioactive pharmaceuticals to patients. Utilize necessary quality management methods of patient identification such as using two unique identifiers and using active rather than passive identification. Perform radionuclide therapy in collaboration with Nuclear Medicine Physician. Receive and assay prescribed therapeutic doses. Fill out appropriate forms and administer dose with the nuclear medicine physician. Instruct patient, family and nursing staff in radiation safety precautions. Perform radiation surveys, post appropriate· caution signs, and distribute personnel monitoring devices as required. Properly monitor and store any radioactive waste for disposal. 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. Schedule patient procedures, taking into consideration camera availability, scan length, patient condition, the need for multiple nuclear medicine studies, other clinic appointments of the patient, contraindications for the test and urgency of the request. Inform patient of all pertinent preparations for his/her scan, i.e. NPO, follow certain diet, bowel prep, etc. Perform required technical procedures for safe receipt, handling, transport, usage, and disposal of radioactive materials, assuring compliance with NRC, NHPP, DOT, and license conditions. Understand different precautions used based upon the various package types. Understand, utilize and practice the concepts of ALARA principle, maintaining radiation exposures as low as reasonably achievable. Assure that all VAPSHCS Nuclear Medicine, Radiation Safety, National Health Physics Program (NHPP), and Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) policies are effectively followed. Recognize potential radiation contamination by visual and mechanical methods. Take necessary actions to minimize contamination and exposure to self, public and coworkers. Contacting the Radiopharmacy and radiation safety officer if needed. Calibrate thyroid uptake system, gamma cameras, dose calibrators and well counter. Participate in research projects involving Nuclear Medicine studies, products, equipment and/or radiopharmaceuticals. Perform daily laboratory surveys, wipe tests and bio-assays. Recognize evidence of contamination and act accordingly to maintain ALARA principles. Evaluate study for technical abnormalities (artifacts) and take the proper steps to correct the problem. Evaluate the validity of data in relation to results needed and determine if additional information is needed for clarification of test results or to establish a definite diagnosis and confers with physicians on additional tests as necessary. Identify positive results and notify the Nuclear Medicine Physician immediately. Perform other nuclear medicine related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized</p><h3>Requirements</h3>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.<h3>Education</h3>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/.