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The Oklahoma City VA Healthcare System is currently recruiting for one Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Fusion Imaging Technologist) to care for our Veterans as part of Nuclear Medicine Service. 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. Creditable Experience. To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs), and other characteristics, also referred to as core competencies, associated with the scope of NMT practice. Quality of Experience. Experience is only creditable if it is earned after passing the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) or American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT) (N) certification exams. Experience as a graduate NMT is creditable provided the candidate worked as a NMT and subsequently passed the certification examination. Basic Requirements: Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. English Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English. 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: Completion of a NMTCB-recognized nuclear medicine technology program, OR 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. Loss of Credential. Nuclear Medicine Technologists must maintain a full, valid, and unrestricted certification. Loss of credential will result in removal from the GS-0601 NMT occupation and may result in termination of employment. Grandfathering Provision. 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: Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Fusion Imaging Technologist), GS-11 Experience. For assignments above the journey level, the candidate must have 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs: Ability to produce and assess high quality fusion and quality control images using independent judgement to recognize abnormal or unacceptable results. Practical knowledge and skill in the use of ancillary equipment with an understanding of how the results will affect the study outcome. Knowledge of physiologic processes as they relate to altered radiopharmaceutical uptake and/or artefactual findings. Knowledge of CT and/or MR radiographic techniques utilized in quality control and acquisition parameters. Ability to recognize and correct fusion imaging system errors. Preferred Experience: General Nuclear Medicine; PET-CT, Radiotherapy References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G19, Nuclear Medicine Technologist Qualification Standard The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds; Light carrying, under 15 pounds; Use of fingers; ["The Nuclear Medicine Technologist (Fusion Imaging Technologist) will be assigned and rotate in all areas of the Nuclear Medicine Service and must possess the required professional knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the following functions: Provides effective patient care by being responsive to the physical and emotional needs of the patient. Establishes and maintains communication with patient and family. Evaluates the individual needs of the patient and provides appropriate care/support. Ensures that services are performed in a functionally safe and sanitary environment and that staff use standard precautions. Monitors patient's medical status and ensures patient comfort, privacy and safety during the procedure including the monitoring of intravenous lines, oxygen supplies, and drains. Anticipates and responds to the needs of the patient. Recognizes and responds appropriately to emergency conditions by initiating a call for assistance, administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation when necessary, and maintaining intravenous fluids, oxygen and other life-support assistance until dedicated medical emergency staff arrives. Performs difficult, complex, non-standardized tests. Evaluates and adapts new procedures for introduction into general use. Assists in the development of new computer applications in Nuclear Medicine and advanced therapies. Radiolabels blood components in a manner that complies with VHA Directive and service policy. Ensures patient safety by identifying patient, labeling container, and verifying dose prior to administration of radiolabeled blood products. Measures total activity, records appropriate data, and labels vials. Documents and maintains record. Calculates patient dosages administered for procedures utilizing decay factor corrections when appropriate. Draws up correct volume using aseptic and radiation safety techniques, verifies activity in dose calibrator, and accurately records data. Chooses appropriate volumetric or gravimetric techniques to dilute standard and adds radioactive material identical to that given the patient quantity sufficient to appropriate volume. Adds hemolyzing compounds or anticoagulants to samples when necessary. Labels syringe and transports all radioactive material to comply with regulations. Determines proper method and route of administration. Evaluates performance of scintillation cameras by performing basic and special quality controls checks to determine the proper operation of the imaging and ancillary equipment. Performs photopeak alignment, flood field, bar phantom, linearity phantom, high-count uniformity flood images, center of rotation, performs monthly and quarterly QC as required by the manufacturer and or medical physicist. Recognizes and understands the consequences of Quality Control levels outside prescribed limits. Verifies computer parameter settings and data interface by assuring that the camera detector and computer have the same image orientation. Confirms accuracy of ECG gating. Records appropriate equipment quality control data and analyzes and evaluates results for compliance with technical specifications or standards. When results are out of the acceptable range, troubleshoots problem and takes corrective action and maintains records for quality assurance program and accreditation agency review. Maintains cleanliness of all equipment. Evaluates performance of scintillation probes, well counters and dose calibrators by performing constancy checks and quarterly and/or semi-annual linearity and accuracy tests as prescribed by the facility licensure (unless these tasks are deemed functions of the Radiation Safety Officer and/or medical Physicist). Reviews the work schedule to determine radiopharmaceutical and supply needs. Responsible for ordering radiopharmaceuticals and supplies to ensure adequate volumes of each are available for patient procedures. Receives ordered items and reconciles orders. Selects, prepares, and uses proper imaging cameras, collimators, computers, and auxiliary equipment (IV and syringe pumps, ECG gating devices, etc.) to perform a wide variety of functional nuclear medicine studies. This technologist displays in-depth knowledge of molecular level physiological functions that relate to glucose metabolism, blood flow, brain oxygen utilization, perfusion, and receptor-ligand binding rates. Also, has a thorough understanding of physiologic processes that relate to organ system function and anatomy and their radiopharmaceutical demonstration of normal and pathologic states. Assumes on-call duties to provide 24hr coverage for the Nuclear Medicine Service on a rotational basis. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 6:30 am to 3:00 pm or 7:30 am to 4:00 pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 51689-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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