Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist

Summary

This position is located in TDI - Radiation Oncology Service, at the James A. Haley VA Medical Center and is directly supervised by the Supervisor Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist. The Radiation Oncology Service Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist is a graduate of an approved program in therapeutic radiologic technology. Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist at a GS-10 must possess a minimum of two (2), but preferably five (5), years clinical Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist experience.

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Overview

• Accepting applications

• Open & closing dates

03/20/2024 to 04/19/2024

• Salary

$76,878 - $99,938 per year

• Pay scale & grade

GS 10

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Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

• Tampa, FL 1 vacancy

• Remote job

No

• Telework eligible

No

• Travel Required

Not required

• Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

• Appointment type

Permanent -

• Work schedule

Full-time -

• Service

Excepted

• Promotion potential

None

• Job family (Series)

0648 Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist

• Supervisory status

No

• Security clearance

Other

• Drug test

Yes

• Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

• Trust determination process

Credentialing

Suitability/Fitness

• Announcement number

CBTC-12361779-24-KM

• Control number

782746400

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This job is open to

• Federal employees

• Competitive service

Current or former competitive service federal employees.

• Federal employees

• Excepted service

Current excepted service federal employees.

• Internal to an agency

Current federal employees of this agency.

• The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

• Veterans

Clarification from the agency

The first area of consideration will be current and permanent facility employees, then agency then current / permanent federal employees. Agency and federal employees must provide a CURRENT (non-award) SF50 to have first preference. Then Veterans will have preference in the order of CPS, CP, XP, TP and then SSP. All preference eligible applicants must provide supporting documents; i.e., service connected disability letter and DD214 and the SF15 application to be considered for preference.

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Duties

Major Duties, but not limited to:

• Schedules treatments in a manner as to optimize accelerator times while maintaining flexibility for emergency cases. This requires the ability to prioritize scheduled patients as well as the ability to accommodate the emergency patient who may need immediate simulation and treatment.

• Identifies individual patient by the required identification methods set forth by hospital policy before simulation or radiation treatment is delivered.

• Verifies patient consent and treatment area

• Performs complex radiation oncology treatment modalities including but not limited to IMRT, SBRT, SRS, and DIBH.

• Receives patients and briefly explains methods of procedures to the patients.

• Positions patients, selects and sets technical factors, sets up and adjust accessory equipment required.

• Indicates on patient's skin with tattoos and/or markings as necessary needed to locate treatment area.

• Verifies cast molds made from copper and used for radiation treatments as needed or required.

• Performs simulation verification before prescribed treatment. Accurately reproduces initial simulation set-up, with proper patient positioning, immobilizing devices, to ensure proper alignment and quality treatment.

• Performs administration of daily dosage to patients in accordance with preset parameters.

• Delivers radiation therapy necessary for requested treatment.

• Operates CT and PET/CT simulator, provides reproducible patient treatment position set-ups that is used for daily treatments on the Linear Accelerator.

• Obtains isocenter verification as needed by the use to cone bean CT and or the use of the on-board imaging system.

• Utilizes electronic and radiation treatment chart for set-up instructions, field size, field shaping, SSD, field compensators and beam restrictions.

• Employs any necessary accessory beam restriction devices, i.e., wedges, bolus, collimator angles, or copper blocks for fields to be treated.

• Maintains patient records and files. Follows HIPA guidelines regarding patient information.

• Takes conebeam ct and/or port/verification films on patients under radiation treatment, to maintain record of treatment accuracy in accordance to departmental procedures, verifies any changes in accordance with the physicians request.

• Records in patient's electronic treatment chart any change in treatment, i.e., change in patients SSD reading, change in field measurements, adjustments to position of treatment field, or patients treatment status if not treated, in order to make corrections in the treatment calendar, calculations or prescription if needed.

• Films badges are worn in compliance with radiation regulations and guidelines of the state.

• Assists patients to and from the treatment room, as well as in transferring on and off of the treatment table as necessary.

• Maintains adequate supplies in the department and work stations.

• Maintains treatment rooms and equipment in a clean, neat, and safe condition at all times, as well as ensures appropriate supply availability.

• Notifies physics staff of equipment issues and follows instruction. Reports all environmental and/or equipment issues by the use of the computerized work order system reporting to the Bio-Med department.

• Follows established safety practices and reports to supervisor as promptly as possible, unsafe conditions, unsafe practices or any occupational illness or injury sustained. Adheres to all safety and health standards, regulations, work practices and uses proper protective equipment as required.

• Participates in reviewing, revising or authoring policies and procedures as needed.

• Performs irregular hour emergency treatments on standby, 24 hours per day coverage, with availability within 2 hours from receipt of call so that proper and effective emergency care can be given to the patient.

• Verifies correct multi-leaf collimation and electronic dynamic wedges.

• Records all parameters involved with each patient including daily and accumulated doses, treatment time and field site.

Work Schedule: Mondays

• Fridays between 8:00 am

• 4:30 pm

Telework: Not Available.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Title: Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required.

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Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• 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

• You may be required to serve a probationary period

• Subject to a background/security investigation

• Must be proficient in written and spoken English

• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Personnel

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)).

• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service.

• Preferred Experience: 5 years experience as a radiologic technologist

Grade determination for GS-10: must have at least one (1) year of experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level , (which would be a minimum of four (4) years of directly relatable experience as a certified therapeutic radiologic technologist, with progressively more responsibilities) directly related to Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist that demonstrates the following technical competencies as described at the GS-9 level:

• Skill in independently setting up the patient in preparation for basic and complex radiation treatments on a linear accelerator, as prescribed by the radiation oncologist;

• Skill in independently performing machine warm-up procedures to interpret output levels compared with established thresholds adhering to the principles of radiation safety and all aspects of quality assurance;

• Skill to independently perform patient chart reviews and effectively document records utilizing an electronic medical records system and the Record and Verify System or other similar treatment delivery systems.

Note: Please ensure how you meet these technical competencies is clearly described in your resume; we may not make assumptions regarding your experience.

In addition to the experience above the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

• Skill in independently performing machine warm up procedures and interpreting output levels compared with established thresholds adhering to the principles of radiation safety and all aspects of quality assurance.

• Ability to independently perform patient chart reviews using an electronic medical record and the Record and Verify System or other similar treatment delivery systems.

• Ability to independently perform all basic and complex CT simulations, including independently operating the CT equipment, following directives, designing custom immobilization for reproducible set-ups, obtaining optimal imaging, completing accurate data transfer for treatment planning and providing accurate and precise patient documentation.

• Ability to utilize a LINAC's On Board Imaging system to interpret complex images.

Note: Please ensure how you meet these KSAs is clearly described in your resume; we may not make assumptions regarding your experience.

References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G26 Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist Qualification Standard GS-0648 VHA.

The full performance level of this vacancy is 10.

Physical Requirements: The work requires long periods of standing and walking. There is some bending and carrying of moderately heavy articles such as film cassettes, treatment devices, and molds with heavier lifting of wedges and specially designed shielding blocks. Patients often are assisted to achieve proper positioning, which may require reaching, lifting, or working in strained positions. The deterioration of the patient due to disease progression often requires lifting of the patient from stretchers or wheelchairs to treatment and examination tables utilizing special techniques designed to minimize the discomfort of the patient.

Creditable Experience: To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics (KSAs), also referred to as core competencies associated with current therapeutic radiologic technology practices.

Part-Time Experience: Part-time experience as a TRT is creditable according to its relationship to full-time workweek. For example, a TRT would receive one week of full-time credit for each two weeks of half-time work.

Quality of Experience: Experience is only creditable if it is post-certification experience as a TRT directly related to the position being filled. Qualifying experience must be at a level comparable to TRT experience at the next lower grade level. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, administrative independence, complexity and range of variety as described in this standard at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Experience as a graduate TRT is creditable provided the candidate functioned as a TRT and subsequently passed the certification examination.

TRT Professional Definitions: Specialized areas of therapeutic radiologic technology include basic and complex therapeutic treatment delivery, simulation, advanced treatment delivery modalities.

Education

There is no educational substitution for the GS-10 grade level.

Additional information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.

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• Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new window

Learn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

RESUME REMINDER-

PLEASE DO NOT INCLUDE A PHOTO IN YOUR RESUME

Your resume must include the following information for each job listed:

Job title Duties: be as detailed as possible

Month & year start/end dates: (e.g. June 2017 to April 2021)

Full-time or part-time status: (include hours worked per week)

Series and Grade: for all Federal positions you have held.

Please be aware that your answers will be verified against information provided on your resume. Be sure that your resume clearly supports your responses to all of the questions by addressing your work experience in detail.

Recommended: Even though we do not require a specific resume format, your resume must be clear so that we are able to fully evaluate your qualifications. To ensure you receive appropriate consideration, please list the duties you performed under each individual job title. If we are unable to match your experiences with the positions held, you may lose consideration for this vacancy.

• We cannot make assumptions regarding your qualifications.*

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.