Career Center

Summary

The Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist (Dosimetrist) will serve as a member of the radiation oncology team at the Pittsburgh VA. The incumbent works in the most complex category of healthcare facility in the VA system. The Pittsburgh VA is a complex - highly affiliated tertiary referral medical center with a very active research program - serving Veterans residing throughout the Greater Pittsburgh Region. Providing advance - comprehensive cancer care - to include radiation therapy - to Veterans.

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:

• Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States
• Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance to 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a)
• English Language Proficiency: Medical Dosimetrists must be proficient in spoken and written English
• See 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)
• Education: Effective January 1 - 2017 - candidates are required to hold a minimum of a bachelor's degree and graduate from a medical dosimetry program of at least 12 months in duration
• The medical dosimetry program must be accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) - or other accrediting bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
• JRCERT is the accrediting agency for the medical dosimetry programs recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
• 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)
• Exception
• Candidates who graduated prior to January 1 - 2017 - are considered to have met the basic education requirement provided they meet all Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board (MDCB) requirements and are in good standing
• Certification: All applicants must be certified in medical dosimetry by the MDCB
• Certified Medical Dosimetry (CMD) is the recognized credential for Medical Dosimetrists
• NOTE: CMDs who perform therapeutic radiologic technologist duties must also possess ARRT(T) certification and be assigned to a functional statement that combines both types of work
• NOTE: The Consumer-Patient Radiation Health and Safety Act of 1981 - P.L
• 97- 35 requires persons who administer Therapeutic Radiological procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 C.F.R
• § 75
• They must have completed an educational program meeting or exceeding the standards described in that regulation and be accredited by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or be a Radiation Therapist certified in medical dosimetry
• Exception for non-certified Medical Dosimetrists
• Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for Medical Dosimetrist certification may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate under 38 U.S.C. § 7405(a)(1)(B)
• Non-certified individuals may only provide care under the supervision of a certified Medical Dosimetrist at or above the full performance level
• Non-certified individuals may only be appointed at the entry level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained
• Temporary appointments of non-certified Medical Dosimetrists may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment
• Grandfathering Provision
• Employees in VHA in this occupation - under a permanent - appropriate - and legal placement on the effective date of the qualification standard - are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade and/or assignment held - including positive education and certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation
• Foreign Education
• To be creditable - education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials
• Foreign equivalency evaluation from The Foundation for International Services - Inc
• or the International Education Research Foundation is required
• Foreign equivalency documentation from any other organization will not be considered
• 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 (Dosimetrist) GS-12 Experience
• At this level - candidates must possess at least one year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11) that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level and must fully meet the KSAs
• Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist (Dosimetrists) at this level (GS-11) - are at the full performance level and are fully functional and carry out their assigned task independently in all areas of medical dosimetry
• They are responsible for developing accurate and deliverable complex treatment plans and image importing for fusion during the planning process
• They provide input of radiation safety practices - quality standards and abide by all governing bodies and standard operating procedures
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs
• Knowledge of the care and use of radioactive resources for implementation and treatment delivery
• 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 - and ensuring compliance with standard operating procedures and directives to provide continuity of care
• (c) Skill in providing guidance and expertise related to all aspects of the treatment planning process
• 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 resolve complex physical and geometric errors in radiation equipment - simulation procedures and treatment delivery implementation
• Ability to follow protocols including - but not limited to developing and implementing policies and standard operating procedures - participating in research programs - ensuring compliance with the radiation safety office - national program office - and accrediting agencies - and following established quality standard measures
• Ability to apply a broad range of specific methods of radiation measurements including - but not limited to - diode - ion chamber - thermoluminescent dosimeter - 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
• Preferred Experience: Experience with Eclipse Treatment Planning & ARIA Record & Verify Systems
• Experience with SRS (Stereotactic Radiosurgery) and SBRT (Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy) Familiar with BrainLab (iPlan) Treatment Planning System
• 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-12
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Duties

• Functions and duties include but are not limited to the following: Obtain and synthesize pertinent clinical data to facilitate the radiation oncology process
• Participate in the development of optimal treatment strategies
• This includes - but is not limited to - the generation of external beam radiation dose distributions and the performance of dose calculations in accordance with the radiation oncologist's prescription to a defined tumor volume
• Participate in treatment simulations and tumor localization on dedicated devices - including CT - MRI and PET when indicated - for radiation oncology
• Perform - or assist in the planning of - the fabrication of compensation filters - custom shields - wedges - and other beam modifying devices
• Perform - or assist in the planning of - the production of molds - casts - and other immobilization devices
• Participate in continuing education in the area of current treatment planning techniques and advances in medical dosimetry
• Adhere to the established Standards of Medical Dosimetrist Practice and Code Ethics
• The dosimetrist must demonstrate an understanding of human cross-sectional anatomy - physiology - pathology - pharmacology and medical terminology
• Works with radiation therapists - the radiation oncologist - and medical physicist as a member of the radiation therapy team
• Must assist and anticipate the needs of the radiation oncologists during the planning process
• 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
• 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)
• This is achieved by the use oflead-lined treatment room walls - cornered doorways - distance management - and conscientious accident-free beam-on times
• 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
• Utilizes electronic and/or radiation treatment chart for set-up instructions - field size - field shaping - SSD - field compensators - and beam restrictions
• Utilizes skill when requesting the appropriate procedural codes - accessing correct patient data - matching soft copy images correctly prior to sending through to treatment planning system
• Properly identifies patient images
• This is essential so that mistaken identity of patient images does not occur
• Maintains patient records and files
• follows HIPP A guidelines regarding patient information
• Maintains work space and equipment in a clean - neat - and safe condition at all times
• Continually keeping current with new developments in the field of radiation therapy and being able to utilize the new technologies available
• Participates in reviewing - revising or authoring policies and procedures as needed
• Evaluates new products and equipment to make recommendations to supervisor concerning upgrades or new purchases that would improve operation
• Evaluate - critique - and recommend changes to the radiation therapy process as necessary
• Performs Quality assurance activities based on established protocols and documents findings
• Quality improvement programs allow the radiation therapist to be a responsible member of the health care team by continually assessing professional performance
• Updates policies and procedures for the dosimetry area in conjunction with a medical physicist
• Helps in interviewing - selecting and hiring new employees
• 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
• May perform higher level duties of significant scope and difficulty at least 25% of the time
• Performs other duties as assigned by Supervisor
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized