Summary

Functions as a supervisor for a group of TRTs which includes employees assigned to TRT positions above the full performance level and aid Diagnostic Radiology as a DRT - as needed. Evaluates new products and equipment to make recommendations to superiors concerning upgrades or new purchases that would improve operations. The Organizational Location of the Position is: Position is in the Radiation Oncology Department and DRT Units of the VANTX Healthcare System in Dallas and Fort Worth - TX.

Qualifications

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
• Education: Individuals must have successfully completed a program in therapeutic radiologic technology - evidenced by a certificate or an associate's or higher degree accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology or other accrediting bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the subsequent completion of a 12-month ED accrediting body-approved program in therapeutic radiologic technology
• Public Law 97-35 requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 C.F.R
• Part 75
• They must have successfully completed an educational program meeting or exceeding the standards described in that regulation and is accredited by an organization recognized by the ED - and be radiation therapists certified by the ARRT in Radiation Therapy (T)
• Certification: All applicants must be certified in therapeutic radiologic technology by the ARRT in Radiation Therapy (ARRT (T))
• 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)
• Grandfathering Provision
• All persons employed in VHA in this occupational series or in another occupational series that are also performing the duties as described in the qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade held - including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation
• For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard - but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it - the following provisions apply: Employees in an occupation not requiring a licensure/certification/registration - may be reassigned - promoted or demoted within the occupation
• Employees in an occupation requiring a licensure/certification/registration - may be reassigned - promoted up to and including the full performance level - or demoted within the occupation - but may not be promoted beyond the full performance level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions
• Employees in an occupation requiring a licensure/certification/registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure/certification/registration requirement before they can be promoted to those higher-grade levels
• Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed - on a temporary or permanent basis - until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard
• Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation - who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation
• NOTE: Each uncertified TRT permanently employed on June 21 - 1986 - and whose competence in the safe administration of ionizing radiation was affirmed - in writing - by a VA licensed physician not later than January 1 - 1987 - is considered fully qualified
• These employees may be promoted - up to and including the journey level - demoted or reassigned within the GS-0648 occupational series
• Any employee initially retained in this manner who leaves this job series loses protected status and must meet the full requirements in effect at the time of reentry
• Grade Determinations: GS-12 Supervisory Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist Experience
• At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills and Abilities
• Candidates must demonstrate all the KSAs below: Ability in managing daily operations of the department to include supervising radiation therapy staff
• coordinating staffing - workload and schedules
• setting priorities
• and delegating tasks and responsibilities
• Ability to coordinate and develop the quality improvement program to include evaluating and implementing departmental policies and standard operating procedures to ensure compliance with the national program office - radiation accrediting agencies - hospital and other outside governing body standards
• Ability to perform administrative duties to include - but not limited to: reviewing qualifications and abilities of current and prospective employees
• interviewing and selecting candidates
• providing training and departmental orientation
• overseeing technical operations
• granting promotions
• and reviewing competencies and conducting performance appraisals
• Ability to provide oversight to lower level TRTs with tasks such as CT simulation - treatment delivery - Record and Verify System (or other similar treatment delivery systems) - newly acquired equipment - devices and other products within the service
• Ability to successfully communicate with the radiation oncology team - internal customers and external customers to manage the needs of patients and to accomplish the mission
• Ability to adhere to radiation safety practices which include identifying and investigating treatment variations
• reporting incidents
• participating in quality assurance
• addressing required reports - tasks and action items
• and completing other requests using research and systematic data collection
• Knowledge of budget allocations and using resources within the budget - procuring of day-to-day supplies - investigating new equipment options and planning for long-term replacement needs
• Preferred Experience: Board certified/Licensed -Therapeutic Radiologic Tech SBRT/SRS and IMRT Experience True Beam - Cyberknife and Tomo Therapy Experience 7-10-year experience Simulation Aria verification experience Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12
• Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary
• Some work may require movement between offices - hospitals - warehouses - and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work
• Work may also require walking/standing - in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site
• Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds."

Duties

• Duties may include but are not limited to: Responsible for the administrative supervision of all therapists in the department
• Directs the technical operations - makes decisions concerning appointments - promotions - technical and status changes - and recognition of various performance levels
• Interviews and selects or assists with the selection for vacant positions within the department
• Coordinates or assists with the training and orientation of all new staff to the department
• Responsible for performance appraisals and competency of TRTs as well as initiating disciplinary action as appropriate
• Primary responsibility for staff schedules - call schedules and patient scheduling
• Works collaboratively with labor partners and supports EEO standards and principles
• Maintains CMR for service area and orders needed supplies and equipment
• Responsible for assuring needed supplies and materials are available when needed
• Oversees service contracts to assure they are current
• Performs a wide variety of complex duties of a strategically critical nature
• Receives patients and briefly explains methods of procedure to the patient
• Makes radiographs needed to localize the tumor volume in patients - which requires proper use of various anatomical marking devices
• Constructs accurate contour of the patient's body and performs necessary measurementsto be utilized by physics/dosimetry during computer calculations of the treatment plan
• Observes patient's progress throughout the treatment and informs the Radiation Oncologist should any clinically significant change occur
• Independently performs warm-up checks of each radiation therapy machine to assist the Radiation Physicist in identification and correction of machine malfunctions
• Sets up patient in the proper positioning - delivers radiation therapy utilizing the linear accelerators
• Records all parameters involved with each patient - including daily and accumulated doses - treatment time - field size and type of radiation used
• Performs all duties of the TRTs in case of absence to assure daily scheduled workload is completed
• Responsible for developing and preparing budget estimates based on experience and anticipated workload and costs
• determining the materials - equipment and supplies necessary to function effectively
• assisting with the development and implementation of service goals - research - and preparation of all related reports
• Investigates new equipment options and plans for long-term replacement
• Responsible for safe operating procedures of all therapy equipment throughout the service and must ensure that all personnel are provided with film badges and/or other radiation monitoring devices as needed by means of thorough coordination with the Radiation Safety Officer
• Performs routine daily warm up and morning checks of linear accelerators and simulators when necessary
• Manages and coordinates all activities involving the training of radiation therapist until they are deemed totally proficient
• Maintains the daily operation of the department including providing coverage for clerical functions in the absence of the Medical Support Assistant with coordination from the Nurse Manager
• The incumbent works in a highly technical environment and with patients and members of many other professions to provide a high standard of clinical care
• The incumbent must also be a graduate of an accredited school for Radiation Therapy
• The incumbent must be board certified and registered by the ARRT (American Registry of Radiation Technology)
• The Radiation Therapist must complete 24 hours of appropriate continuing education every two years to remain ARRT certified
• This requirement maintains expertise - awareness of changes - and advances in the field
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 7:30am-4:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized