Duties

• Schedules, plans, and organizes work for the radiation treatment of patients using applicable VA directives, service policies and protocols, training, and accepted professional standards. Coordinates emergency patient treatments with Radiation Oncologists.
• Calculates the number of treatment deliveries and/or monitor units for all new patients requiring radiation therapy. Understands expected values for dose/monitor units results and consults with the medical physicist should any monitor unit values that appear to be out of range.
• Under the guidance of the Radiation Oncologist and Medical physicist, develops complex treatment plans using various dose calculating software packages utilized by the service.
• Has extensive knowledge 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.
• Conscientiously maintains awareness of dose-tissue tolerance.
• Drafts one or several isocentric plans, as required, with emphasis on quality of dose distribution, using dosimetric knowledge and often creativity.
• Submits plan choices to appropriate physician to aid in determining best treatment method for specific patient tumors on an individual basis.
• Correctly transfers treatment parameters from simulation worksheet and calculated treatment plan into the computerized daily treatment record of patients.
• Appropriately indicates the dosimetry and treatment planning charges for services provided to patients.
• Initiates complex treatment planning utilizing the most up to date technology available including 3D conformal and IMRT techniques.
• Maintains with accuracy all therapy records, charts, files, calibration records, and treatment planning records necessary for compliance with Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), VA National Health Physics Program (NHPP), and other federal regulations. Documents all parameters involved with each patient including daily and accumulated doses, field size, beam modifiers, beam direction, and machine used in the delivery of radiation treatment.
• Performs other related duties as assigned and listed on the Functional Statement

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 08:00 - 1630
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• 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 Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

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: Completion of a medical dosimetry program of at least 12 months long accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) and a baccalaureate degree is required. JRCERT is the accrediting agency for the medical dosimetry programs recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

• Certification.
  • All applicants must be certified in medical dosimetry by the Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board ( MDCB). Certified Medical Dosimetry (CMD) is the recognized credential for Medical Dosimetrists. NOTE: CMDs who perform therapeutic radiologic technologist duties must also possess American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT) (T) certification and be assigned to a functional statement that combines both types of work. NOTE: Public Law 97-35 requires persons who administer Therapeutic Radiological 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 U.S. Department of Education or be a radiation therapist certified in medical dosimetry.
  • Loss of Credential. Once certified, Medical Dosimetrists must maintain an active, current, full and unrestricted certification to independently practice medical dosimetry. Loss of licensure will result in removal from the GS-0648 Medical Dosimetrist occupation and may result in termination of employment.

Grade Requirements GS-12:Creditable Experience.

• Knowledge of Current Dosimetry Practices. To be creditable, the experience must have demonstrated the knowledge, skills and abilities associated with current medical dosimetry practice. Experience satisfying this requirement must be active professional practice at the post-certification level, which may be paid/non-paid employment, as a Medical Dosimetrist.
• Quality of Experience. Experience is only creditable if it is post certification experience as a certified Medical Dosimetrist directly related to the position to be filled. Experience as a graduate Medical Dosimetrist is creditable provided the candidate functioned as an entry level Medical Dosimetrist with continual oversight and subsequently passed the certification examination. Qualifying experience must be at a level comparable to Medical Dosimetrist 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 (difficulty) 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.
• Part-Time Experience. Part-time experience as a Medical Dosimetrist is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweek. For example, a Medical Dosimetrist employed 20 hours a week, or on a 1/2-time basis, receives one full-time workweek of credit for each two weeks of service.
• Practicum in a VA Setting. VHA practicum experience may not be substituted for experience, as the practicum (field placement) is completed prior to graduation with a bachelor's degree in medical dosimetry or a related field.

Grade Determinations: At this level, candidates must possess at least one year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the core competencies and knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) described at that level. Additionally, experience as stated in your resume' must demonstrate you meet all of the following KSAs.

• Skill at effective communication and leadership as demonstrated by providing orientation and training for staff, providing input for yearly appraisals, directing progress and coordination of workload, ensuring compliance with standard operating procedures and directives to provide continuity of care.
• Skill in providing guidance and expertise related to all aspects of the treatment planning process.
• Ability to resolve complex physical and geometric errors of the radiation equipment, simulation procedure and treatment delivery implementation.
• Knowledge of the care and use of radioactive resources for implementation and treatment delivery.
• Skill to independently perform complex treatment procedures as evidenced by completing tasks such as developing and troubleshooting highly complex isodose treatment plans delineating critical structures and tumor volumes, performing weekly chart checks, performing QA verifications and providing training on all aspects of the Record and Verify system such as Mosaiq or Aria.
• Ability to follow protocols including, but not limited to developing and implementing policies and standard operating procedures, participating in research programs and ensuring compliance with radiation safety office, national program office, accrediting agencies and follow established quality standard measures.
• Ability to perform the application of a broad range of specific methods of radiation measurements including, but not limited to, diode, ion chamber, thermoluminescent dosimeter (TLD), or film measurement as directed by a qualified Medical Physicist and perform or assist with the QA procedures as directed by a qualified Medical Physicist.

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. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html .

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

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

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.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

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 .