Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist (Medical Dosimetry) Job in Memphis - 98159007 - ZA0TSRSB9V70Q

Job Title:
Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist (Medical Dosimetry)

Department:
Department Of Veterans Affairs

Agency:
Veterans Health Administration

Job Announcement Number:
055-11

SALARY RANGE:

Grade and Salary Commensurate with Education and Experience

OPEN PERIOD:
Tuesday, March 29, 2011 to Wednesday, March 28, 2012
SERIES & GRADE:GS-0648-0/0

POSITION INFORMATION:
Full-Time  Permanent/Excepted

DUTY LOCATIONS:
1 vacancy - Memphis, TN

WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED:

All Qualified Applicants

JOB SUMMARY:

*****RECRUITMENT/RELOCATION INCENTIVE*****

A Negotiable Recruitment Incentive has been authorized for candidates newly appointed to the Federal Government or for former Federal employees following a break in service of at least 90 days.A Negotiable Relocation Incentive has been authorized for candidates currently employed with the Federal Government.Incentive is Gross before taxes.The Incentive will require the signing of service agreement for up to three (3) years with the VA.

Description of Duties: The Radiation Oncology Service, Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist is a member of the radiation oncology team.

KEY REQUIREMENTS:

• Must pass pre-employment examination.

Additional Duty Location Info:
1 vacancy - Memphis, TN

The Radiation Oncology Service, Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist is a member of the radiation oncology team.He/she has an in depth knowledge of high dose ionizing radiation and of the overall characteristics and clinical relevance of radiation oncology treatment machines and equipment; is cognizant of procedures commonly used in brachytherapy; and has the education and expertise necessary to independently generate radiation dose distributions and dose calculations in collaboration with the medical physicist and radiation oncologist.He/she is a graduate of an approved program in therapeutic radiologic technology, evidenced by a certificate or an associate's degree, accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT); certification by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) in Radiology, and the subsequent completion of a 12-month JRCERT approved program in therapeutic radiologic technology.

Duties and responsibilities include:Utilizes extensive knowledge and training to produce acceptable treatment plans following the prescription of the radiation oncologist.Recognizes critical structures, beams at different energy levels, the behavior of numerous tumors, the tolerance level of radiation in the different regions of the human body, and has the ability to independently generate multiple treatment plans utilizing various combinations of wedges, boluses, and blocking techniques are critical to this position.Submits plan choices to appropriate physician to aid in determining best treatment method for specific patient tumors on an individual basis.Initiate complex treatment planning utilizing the most up-

to-date technology available including 3D conformal and IMRT techniques.Assist with radiation treatment delivery and fabrication of cast blocks and compensators when necessary.Works with Radiation Oncologist, Therapists, Nursing, and Clerical staff, as a member of the radiation therapy team to effectively and efficiently accomplish the goals of the radiation therapy department.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:BASIC REQUIREMENTS

a.Citizenship.Citizen of the United States.

b.Certification.All applicants must be certified in therapeutic radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT) (T).Certification in Medical Dosimetry is not a basic requirement for this occupation; however, it is strongly desirable as evidence of possession of the essential knowledge, skills, and abilities.Certification is required for assignments at the GS-12 grade level.(Copy of Certification and Transcript required with application materials).

c.Experience or Education.Completion of a program in therapeutic radiologic technology, evidenced by a certificate or an associate's degree, accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT); certification by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) in Radiology, and the subsequent completion of a 12-month JRCERT approved program in therapeutic radiologic technology.JRCERT is the accrediting agency for the radiation therapy programs recognized by the US Department of Education.

(1)Public Law 97-35 requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75.Essentially, they must have successfully completed an educational program that meets or exceeds the standards described in that regulation, and is accredited by an organization recognized by the Department of Education, and be certified (registered) as radiation therapists in their field.

(2)Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for ARRT (T) certification may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate TRT under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405 (a) (1) (D).Failure to obtain certification during that period is justification for termination of the temporary appointment.This may result in termination of employment.

CREDITABLE EXPERIENCE

(a)Knowledge of Current Therapeutic Radiologic Technology Practice.To be creditable, experience must have demonstrated possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics associated with current therapeutic radiologic technology practice including Picture Archiving Communication Systems (PACS), digital imaging, and Computed Radiography (CR) readers.

(b)Quality of Experience.Experience is only creditable if it was earned after completion of the basic requirements identified in paragraph 2.b. above.Experience as a graduate TRT is creditable provided the candidate functioned as a TRT and subsequently passed the certification examination.

(c)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 1 week of full-time credit for each 2 weeks of half-time work.

Specialized Assignment:

Medical Dosimetry.The medical dosimetrist is a member of the radiation oncology team who has an in depth knowledge of high dose ionizing radiation and of the overall characteristics and clinical relevance of radiation oncology treatment machines and equipment; is cognizant of procedures commonly used in brachytherapy; and has the education and expertise necessary to independently generate radiation dose distributions and dose calculations in collaboration with the medical physicist and radiation oncologist.The TRT-Dosimetrist may attain certification in one of two ways, either a progressive learning program within radiation oncology overseen by a qualified medical physicist and radiation oncologist encompassing approximately 3 years of intense training and education or with the completion of a 1-year intensive course in an approved medical dosimetry program, and then taking and achieving board certification as a Certified Medical Dosimetrist (CMD).

Applicants Please Note:Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications (particularly positions with a positive education requirement).Therefore, applicants must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website:http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html.All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly.

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 wheel chairs to treatment and examination tables utilizing special techniques designed to minimize the discomfort of the patient.See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

English Language Proficiency.TRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part.

Application Procedures:  All applicants, including VA Medical Center Memphis employees, MUST submit a complete application package as outlined on the last page of this announcement.  Human Resources will not review an employee's Electronic Official Personnel Folder (EOPF) to determine minimum qualifications, time-in-grade, typing skill, or any other requirement.  Failure to comply with the application procedures may result in an applicant being rated ineligible for the position or receiving less than full credit in the evaluation process.   

Drug Testing Designated Positions: In accordance with Executive Order 12564,Federal employees hired in a drug testing designated position will be subject to random testing for illegal drug use during employment.

Drug Testing Designated Position:Yes

Licensure/Certification Requirements:Yes

Recruitment Bonus Authorized:Yes

Relocation Bonus Authorized:Yes

Relocation Expenses Authorized:Yes

Position Covered by Bargaining Unit:Yes

Training/AssignmentAgreement Required:No

Manager/Supervisor Probation Period Required:No

VETPRO Credentialing Required: Yes

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

Grade Determinations.In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the applicant must have at least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level.In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*):

Certification. For employees in a dosimetrist position at this level, certification in medical dosimetry (CMD) is required (must provide certification with application).

Assignment.For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time.TRTs at this grade level may be appointed to one of the following assignments.

Staff TRT (Dosimetrist). Employees at this level are fully functional as a dosimetrist with the knowledge and experience to apply an advanced level of treatment planning and dosimetry procedures.Employees will have an in depth knowledge of computer programs and operations, and methodologies of data transfer and reconstruction.Performs complex 2D-3D treatment plans and presents to radiation oncologist for review and acceptance.Serves as an integral team member for brachytherapy procedures, utilizing ultrasound to determine volumetric data, positioning of templates for insertion of radioactive sources, and transfer of data from ultrasound equipment to treatment planning computers for generation of dose volume histograms (DVH).

Responses to KSAs will be used to help identify the most highly qualified candidates, please respond to the KSAs as thoroughly as possible.

*1.Ability to perform quality assurance procedures for brachytherapy procedures and oversee brachytherapy planning;

*2.Ability to develop and update policy and procedures for the dosimetry area with the oversight of the medical physicist;

3.Ability to work with the medical physicist to perform monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual testing of equipment.Verifies accuracy of machine setting, output, congruence, and other mandated measurements, recording them accurately for review;

4.Extensive knowledge level of human anatomy, physiology, malignant tumors, routes of spread, critical structures, and tolerance levels of all sites of the body to plan complex, multi-field treatment plans; and

*5.Skill to oversee initial set-ups of complex treatment plans, giving assistance as needed to make any modifications needed prior to any treatment being administered.

BENEFITS:Life insurance coverage is provided. More info: http://www.usajobs.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#life

New employees are automatically covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). If you are transferring from another agency and covered by CSRS, you may continue in this program. More info: http://www.usajobs.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#retr

You will earn annual vacation leave. More info: http://www.usajobs.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#VACA

You will earn sick leave. More info: http://www.usajobs.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#SKLV


HOW TO APPLY:

WHO MAY APPLY: .This announcement is a solicitation for applications from current employeesof the Department of Veterans Affairs nationwide and external candidates.All qualified applicants will be considered.Hybrid Title 38 Excepted Service appointing authority will be used to fill these positions.U.S. Citizenship is required.

Applicants must submit the following materials:

·Application for Associated Health Occupations (VA Form 10-2850c)

·Complete resume or C.V.

·Three (3) letters of reference

·Copy of current certification

·OF-306, Declaration for Federal Employment (Required only for applicants outside of VA Memphis)

·Performance appraisals Submit most recent from VA, other Federal or private sector employment.

·Unofficial college transcriptif applicable to the position for which you are applying.

·Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50)Required only from current or former Federal employees.Submit most recent action showing highest grade/step held.Former Federal employees should submit a copy of their separation personnel action.

·Veteranswho are not current employees of VA Memphis must submit a DD-214 documenting your total military service, and a SF-15, Application for 10-point VeteranPreference, and required documentation if you are claiming 10-point veteran preference.

·VA Form 4078 (Current VA Memphis Employees Only) Promotion or Reassignment

ALL applications (handcarried and mailed) must be received by the Memphis VA Medical Center by 4:30 p.m. Central time on the closing date as listed on this announcement.Applications received by government fax or in government postage paid envelopes will not be accepted and will be returned to the applicant.E-mail and faxed applications WILL NOT be accepted.The entire application package will become a part of the vacancy announcement file and will not be filed in the individual's Electronic OfficialPersonnel Folder (E-OPF).Application forms cannot be copied byHuman Resources Management Service and will not be returned to you.You should keep a copy of your application package for your future use in applying for other positions.Failure to comply with the application procedures may result in an applicant receiving less than full credit in the evaluation process.Application packages may be obtained from the office listed below. You may also request an application package by sending your name and complete mailing address to the e-mail address of the Human Resources Assistant listed on the first page of this announcement.Mail or bring your complete application package to the following address:

VA Medical Center
Human Resources Management Service (05R), Room CE-252

1030 Jefferson Avenue

Memphis, TN38104-2193

AGENCY CONTACT INFO:

Stephanie McDuffie
Phone: 901 523-8990 Ext 5928
Email: Stephanie.McDuffie@va.gov Agency Information:
Department Of Veterans Affairs
1030 Jefferson Avenue
Memphis, TN 38104
US

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment must pass the pre-employment physical before starting to work. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment 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. This agency provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify this office. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis.

PAYMENT INFORMATION: In accordance with Government Management Reform Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-356), all Federal wage and salary payments must be paid to employees by Direct/Electronic Fund Transfer (D/EFT).