Duties

Summary

The Lead Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist (Dosimetrist) is a member of the Radiation Oncology Team and has the knowledge of the overall characteristics and clinical relevance of radiation oncology simulation and treatment equipment, including CT simulator and linear accelerator. He/she is fully functional as a dosimetrist with knowledge and experience to apply advanced level of treatment planning and dosimetry procedures.
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Responsibilities

The major duties of the Lead Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist (Dosimetrist) include, but are not limited to the following:

• Performs complex D, 3D, and IMRT treatment plans and present to radiation oncologists for review and acceptance.
• Serves as an integral team member for brachytherapy procedures, utilizing imaging technology to determine volumetric data, positioning of templates for insertion of radioactive sources, and transfer of data from imaging equipment to treatment planning computers for generation of dose volume histograms (DVH and brachytherapy dosimetry.
• Possesses the education and expertise necessary to generate radiation dose distributions and dose calculations in collaboration with the medical physicist and radiation oncologist.
• Obtains and synthesizes pertinent clinical data to facilitate the radiation oncology process.
• Participates in the development of optimal treatment strategies, which includes but is not limited to, the generation of external beam radiation dose distributions and the performance of dose calculations in accordance wit the radiation oncologist's prescription to a defined tumor volume.
• Considers dose-limiting structures in the design of treatment plans and documents dose in accordance with the radiation oncologist's prescription.
• Performs, or assists in the planning of, the fabrication of compensation filters, custom shields, wedges, and other beam modifying devices.
• Performs or assists in the planning of, the production of moulds, casts, and other immobilization devices.
• Documents treatment parameters associated with the radiation therapy process as necessary.
• Performs Quality assurance activities based on established protocols and documents findings.
• Adheres to the established Standards of Medical Dosimetrist Practice and Code Ethics.
• Knowledge of radiation oncology billing and coding.
• Demonstrates an understanding of human cross-sectional anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology and medical terminology.
• Confers with radiation oncologist to determine requirements/parameters for planning of patients enrolled on protocols or studies.
• Performs reconstructions of CT studies when requested, when part of a standard procedure, or when required for protocol review.
• Maintains records and files of plans run on patients, including the maintenance of back-up files and editing of patient plans in the radiation treatment planning system.
• Properly identifies patient images to illeviate the possibility of mistaken identity of patient images occurring.
• Utilizes electronic and/or radiation treatment cart for set-up instructions, field size, field shaping, SSD, field compensators, and beam restrictions.
• Practices radiation safety in order to reduce exposure to patients, staff, and self, in compliance with department and VA radiation safety procedures to maintain occupational exposures "as low as reasonable achievable" (ALARA).
• Notifies physics staff of equipment issues and follows instruction.
• Provides patients with accurate and compassionate treatment.
• May instruct therapists or residents and staff on new dosimetry techniques or equipment.
• Assists with analysis of dosimetry specific data collected for ongoing departmental quality and improvement process.
• Evaluates new products and equipment to make recommendations to supervisor concerning upgrades or new purchases that would improve operation.
• Provides oral and/or written instruction for non-routine and complex treatment plans.
• Performs quality assurance procedures for brachytherapy and participates in brachytherapy planning.
• Updates policies and procedures for the dosimetry area in conjunction with a medical physicist.
• Works with medical physicist to perform schedules testing of equipment and other mandated measurements of the treatment machines or CT simulator as directed by medical physicist.
• Oversees initial set-ups of complex treatment plans, assisting as necessary and modifying as needed prior to treatment delivery with the approval of the radiation oncologist.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm
Compressed/Flexible Schedule: May be offered to highly qualified candidates.
Telework: Ad Hoc
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status
No

Promotion Potential
12

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• 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

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 to 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.

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).

Preferred Experience: Prior experience working with IMRT, SBRT and intracranial SRS.

Grade Determinations for GS-12:

GS-Lead Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist (Dosimetrist), GS-12

(a) Experience. 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 described at that level and must fully meet the KSAs at that level.

(b) Assignment. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity and range of variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. In this assignment, the Medical Dosimetrists functions as a lead dosimetrist with administrative and professional responsibility for planning, directing, distributing the workload of dosimetrists up to the GS-11 level, including support staff in the medical center's therapeutic radiologic technology program. In addition, the incumbent serves as the professional mentor, trainer and coach for the unit. The Lead Medical Dosimetrists develop and update technical policy and procedure manuals. They provide assistance and input on equipment use and resolution of machine issues. The Lead Medical Dosimetrist also ensures dosimetric protocols are up to date to reflect current standards of care, radiation safety and quality management. They ensure Medical Dosimetrists are in compliance with accrediting and regulating bodies. Lead Medical Dosimetrists also review staffing levels and work procedures to influence resource allocation decisions made at the executive level.

(c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate the following KSAs:

• Ability to perform lead duties such as orientation and training for staff, provide input for yearly appraisals, directs progress and coordination of dosimetric work.
• Ability to develop the Quality Improvement Program by evaluating, establishing and implementing departmental policies, standard operating procedures and department compliance with the national program office, radiation accrediting agencies, hospital and outside governing body standards.
• Ability to solve complex technical problems by instructing and providing oversight to lower level Medical Dosimetrists and trainees with regards to treatment planning, using the Record and Verify System (or other similar systems), using newly acquired equipment and other devices and products within the service.
• Ability to successfully communicate with the radiation oncology team and other internal and external customers to manage the needs of patients.
• Ability to provide broad oversight and assist in the application of specific methods of patient and/or treatment planning as directed by Medical Physicists.

References: VA Handbook 5005/138 Part, II, Appendix G-66 "Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist Qualification Standard" dated January 15, 2021

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12.

Physical Requirements: Work is primarily sedentary though may require periods of standing, and the incumbent engages in light to moderate physical activity including sitting, walking, bending, and carrying supplies.

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. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. 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.

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 view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application .

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, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Resume Reminder - Your resume must include the following for each job listed:
1) Job title and grade level/salary. In order to show that you meet time-in-grade, you must document grades you have held and how long you have held them;
2) Duties (you must include enough detailed information to support your specialized experience);
3) Month, day and year start/end dates (e.g. 04/02/2007 to 04/13/2008);
4) Hours worked per week for each job listed
5) Full Name and address of Employer
6) Name of Supervisor or Contact name
7) Complete phone number of Supervisor/Contact

Do not copy the job announcement onto your resume. That is not a true representation of your skills and you will be disqualified.

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.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Other

Drug test required
Yes

Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

Trust determination process
Credentialing , Suitability/Fitness

Required Documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Certification in Medical Dosimetry
• Certification in American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT) (T)
• VA Form 10-2850c (Application for Associated Health Occupations)
• Resume

VA Form 10-2850c Application for Associated Health Occupations can be found at: http://www.va.gov/vaforms/search_action.asp?FormNo=2850&tkey=&Action=Search . (This is a required document and failure to submit it with your application documents may result you not being considered for this announcement).

Proof of Certification in Medical Dosimetry by the Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board (MDCB).

Proof of Certification in American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT) (T)

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• Certification in Medical Dosimetry
• Certification in American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT) (T)
• VA Form 10-2850c (Application for Associated Health Occupations)
• Resume
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx .

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

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. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education .

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.