Summary

This position is for a Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist (TRT) - Staff Radiation Therapist (GS-10) within the Radiation Oncology Service at a VA Medical Center (VISN 8). The role is designed for an advanced - non-supervisory professional who works independently to deliver precise therapeutic doses of radiation.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

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
• English Language Proficiency: TRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English
• See 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)
• Education-(Certificate or transcripts Submitted)
• 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 (Documentation Submitted)
• All applicants must be certified in therapeutic radiologic technology by the ARRT in Radiation Therapy (ARRT (T))
• Loss of Certification: Once certified - a TRT who fails to maintain the required certification must be removed from the occupation - which may result in termination of employment
• 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 - 5 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 Determination at the GS-10 grade level
• In addition to the basic qualifications - listed above - incumbent must meet the following grade specific qualifications: Experience
• At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level - GS-09 - directly related to the position being filled
• Example of GS-09 Experience: Independently operating ionizing radiation equipment to deliver prescribed therapeutic doses of radiation
• performing standard CT simulation procedures for tumor localization and fabricating basic patient immobilization devices
• executing daily quality assurance (QA) checks - mechanical checks - and dosimetric checks on simulation and treatment machinery
• utilizing electronic medical records (EMR) or record-and-verify systems to chart patient setups - track prescriptions - and verify workloads
• and strictly adhering to radiation safety procedures - including ALARA principles and NRC regulations - to protect patients - self - and staff
• Preferred Experience: · Varian TrueBeam and Trilogy (3 years) · ARIA · Raystation with Canon Aquillion CT (3 years) · Attention to detail · Team collaboration · Time management in fast paced environment · Ability to handle complex cases independently (re-treats and unusual setups) · Highly proficient with advanced techniques IMRT - IGRT - SBRT/SRS (3 years) Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS10.

Duties

• To qualify - the incumbent must be a graduate of a JRCERT-accredited program - hold ARRT (T) certification - and possess a minimum of five years of recent clinical TRT experience
• The position requires advanced technical knowledge across complex radiation therapy specialties-such as CT simulation - IGRT - VMAT - and SBRT-as well as the ability to operate specialized equipment like the Canon Aquillian CT Simulator - VARIAN TRUEBEAM and VARIAN TRILOGY Linear Accelerator
• The clinician must collaborate closely with the wider oncology team to ensure safe - highly accurate - and patient-centric care
• Primary Duties and Functions Treatment Planning & Simulation: Performs complex CT simulations for tumor localization using a CT simulator - prepares required contrast media - and fabricates custom patient immobilization devices
• Radiation Delivery: Accurately reproduces treatment setups and delivers prescribed therapeutic doses of radiation using a Linear Accelerator - utilizing advanced technologies like IGRT - VMAT - 3D conformal - and SBRT
• Quality Assurance (QA): Conducts daily morning QA - mechanical - and dosimetric checks on the CT Simulator and Linear Accelerators - documenting results and troubleshooting minor equipment issues
• Data & Record Management: Utilizes Electronic Medical Records (EMR) systems (ARIA - CPRS) to document treatment delivery - capture workloads with proper ICD10/CPT codes - and verify chart accuracy
• Patient Safety & Care: Verifies patient identification and consent in compliance with HIPAA - recognizes treatment side effects - practice safe patient handling - and maintains a sterile - clean environment
• Radiation Safety Execution: Maintains comprehensive knowledge of NRC and OSHA regulations - utilizing film badges and strictly adhering to ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) principles to minimize exposure
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Partners with Radiation Oncologists - Physicists - and Dosimetrists to select treatment isocenters - transfer data sets to Treatment Planning Systems - and communicate plan modifications
• On-Call & Emergency Coverage: Optimizes daily schedules to accommodate emergency cases and maintains the flexibility to arrive at the clinic within two hours for regular off-hours emergency treatments
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 7:00am to 3:30pm Telework: Not eligible for Telework Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 41821F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized