Therapeutic Radiological Tech (Oncology)

The incumbent's primary responsibilities are to provide radiation therapy to patients as prescribed by Radiation Oncologist and under the general supervision of the Chief Radiation Therapist. Other tasks include start-up, QA, and shut-down of equipment, electronic field imaging, charge capturing, simulation and on-call.

Major duties

Incumbent functions as a Therapeutic Radiology Therapist in Radiology Service, Oncology Section. Duties include but are not limited to: Receiving patients and 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 measurements to be utilized by the physicist during computer calculations of the treatment plan. Independently performs warm-up checks of each radiation therapy machine to assists the Radiation Physicist in identification and correction of machine malfunctions. Works with the physicists for QA and other physics related issues. Duties include, but are not limited to: Schedule patients in a manner so as to optimize linear accelerator/simulator times while maintaining flexibility for emergency cases. Prepare room and equipment for patient according to prescription regarding immobilization devices, field size, treatment distance, lead protection devices, etc. Perform and document daily accelerator/simulator warm-up and QA procedures. Report erratic or malfunctioning equipment to Chief Therapist, Physicist and/or Engineer. Perform simulations. Administers contrast materials and should have a thorough understanding of protocol before, during and after contrast is given. Observe patient for reactions to contrast. Is certified to insert IV needles for administration of contrast material when necessary. Prepare and construct equipment, such as immobilization, treatment, and protection devices. Perform mold room duties. Review prescription, diagnosis, treatment plan, identification, and chart for accuracy prior to treatment. Properly identifies patient by confirming verbally name, social security number and/or date of birth. Technologist must wear proper and visible identification. Educate, prepare and reassure patients and their family members by answering questions. Transfer patient safely to treatment couch giving special attention to catheters, intravenous drips, etc. Position patient for treatment with accuracy according to prescription. Explain procedure to patient, means of communication during treatment and procedure to follow if emergency arises during treatment. Administer prescribed doses of radiation to specific body site using radiation therapy equipment according to established practices and standards with minimal supervision. Maintain visual and audible communication with patient during treatment. Practices radiation safety in order to reduce exposure to patients, visitors, staff and self. Technologist must wear film badge in compliance with regulations. Records all parameters involved with each patient, including daily and accumulated doses, treatment time, field size and type of radiation used. Adheres to hospital infection control and safety policies/techniques with emphasis on sterile technique; the storage of sterile supplies; the disposal of body fluids and 'sharps'; proper attire; hand washing practices; and continuing education. Responsible for weekly stocking and inventory of all radiation oncology supplies and related materials. Public Law 97-35 requires persons hired after 1987 who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 CFR, Part 75, must be certified as radiographers in their fields and maintain annual licensure renewal. CPR certification and recertification is required in accordance with American Heart Association guidelines. Performs irregular hour emergency simulation and radiation treatment. Requires the technologist be available within 30 minutes from receipt of call so proper and effective emergency care can be given to the patient. Continually reviews new developments in the field of Radiation Therapy. Is continually on the alert to improve quality of treatment utilizing the new technologies available. The purpose of this review is to provide the patients with the best possible treatments. Maintain patient markings. Observe patient for side effects such as skin irritation, nausea, and hair loss to assess patients' reaction to treatment. Obtain electronic radiation treatment field images. (OBI, CBCT, MV) and photos. Maintains an accurate schedule and performs charge capturing. Assist in training and orienting new staff and students. Participate in departmental PI (Performance Improvement) activities and all other duties as required. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am to 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

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. 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)). (1) 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist, GS-10: Experience: At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSA's): 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. 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-10. Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment.

Education

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/.

Requirements

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. 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. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. 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.