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: Nuclear Medicine Technologists must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, of this part
• Certification: All applicants MUST be certified in nuclear medicine technology by the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) or the American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT) (N)
• NMTCB or ARRT (N) certification eligibility requirements are normally satisfied by one of the following: (1) Completion of a NMTCB-recognized nuclear medicine technology program, OR (2) Completion of a nuclear medicine technology program accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Educational Programs in Nuclear Medicine Technology (JRCNMT), or other accrediting agencies as recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), culminating in a certificate, associate, baccalaureate, or master's degree
• Educational programs must have structured clinical training sufficient to provide clinical competency in radiation safety, instrumentation, clinical procedures, and radio-pharmacy, as deemed acceptable by the NMTCB
• NOTE: Technologists functioning as multi-modality technologists require additional specific certifications as stated in assignment descriptions below
• Exceptions
• Non-certified applicants, who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for NMTCB or ARRT (N) certification, may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate NMT under the authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405 (a)(1)(D)
• Failure to obtain certification within 1 year from the date of appointment is justification for termination of the temporary appointment
• This 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)
• 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)
• Grade Determinations
• In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: (1) [Nuclear Medicine Technologist, GS-5] (a) Experience or Education
• None beyond the basic requirements
• [Certification as described in the basic requirements in paragraph 3.b
• above is required.] [ ] [(b)] Assignments
• Candidates at this grade level, serve as [entry level] NMTs [and] receive guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex patients and require daily direct [(i.e., immediate)] supervision
• (2) [Nuclear Medicine Technologist, GS-7] (a) Experience [or Education] i
• [Developmental Level]
• Certification, as described in the basic requirements in paragraph [3.b.] above, [and for the developmental level assignment,] completion of 1 year of [creditable experience] equivalent to the next lower grade level, directly related to the position to be filled (i.e., experience that demonstrates possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics needed to provide nuclear medicine technology services at that level) [is required.] OR i
• [Developmental Level]
• Certification, as described in the basic requirements in paragraph [3.b.] above, [and for the developmental level assignment,] completion of 1 year of [creditable experience] equivalent to the next lower grade level, directly related to the position to be filled (i.e., experience that demonstrates possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics needed to provide nuclear medicine technology services at that level) [is required.] OR ii
• Advanced Entry Level Placement
• See VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G17
• (b) Assignments
• Candidates at this grade level [may serve as advanced entry level or developmental level] NMTs
• [They receive guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex patients and require general supervision.] At this grade, NMTs utilize the proper methods of receipt, use, storage, and disposal of radioactive material
• perform and evaluate basic quality control on all imaging and non-imaging instrumentation and auxiliary equipment, and provide basic patient care, recognizing and responding to emergency conditions
• (c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• [In addition, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:] i
• Knowledge of Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) regulations [that pertain to nuclear medicine technology practices.] ii
• Knowledge of the medical sciences such as anatomy, physiology, chemistry, and physics and how they relate to the cardiovascular, skeletal, endocrine, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary systems of the human body
• iii
• Knowledge of radioactive package types, package surveys, and radioactive materials record management
• [iv
• Ability to independently use and interpret Geiger-Mueller meter.] (3) [Nuclear Medicine Technologist, GS-9] (a) Experience
• Completion of 1 year of [creditable] experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position to be filled (i.e., experience that demonstrates possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics needed to provide nuclear medicine technology services at that level) [is required.] (b) Assignments
• Candidates at this grade level serve as staff NMTs [at the journey level
• NMTs at this level have a full understanding of proper methods of receipt, use, storage, and disposal of radioactive material
• properly and independently handle unusual circumstances
• perform and evaluate daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly quality control on all imaging and non-imaging instrumentation and auxiliary equipment, provide basic patient care, and can recognize and respond to emergency conditions
• It is expected that they routinely and independently perform the full scope and complexity of these responsibilities and receive guidance from higher-level or supervisory staff members for only the most complex patients.] (c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• [In addition, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:] i
• Ability to document excessive radiation exposure in the working environment
• ii
• Knowledge of medical events requiring documentation and the ability to properly document them and make recommendations to the radiation safety officer (RSO)
• iii
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing post iodine-131 therapy radiation safety precautions
• iv
• Ability to troubleshoot gamma camera and auxiliary equipment problems
• v
• Ability to analyze computer generated data for technical quality and artifacts and initiate corrective measures
• Preferred Experience: A minimum of 1 year of experience in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• 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-9. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-5 to GS-9. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service.