Nuclear Medicine Technologist Supervisor

Summary

The Supervisory Nuclear Medicine Technologist will be responsible for the technical oversight and performing a variety of routine and specialized nuclear medicine procedures. The Supervisory Technologist will directly supervise technologists - manage schedules - leave time - evaluations and updating policies.

Qualifications

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• 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.
• English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).
• Grade Requirements: Completion of 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position to be filled - i.e. - experience that demonstrates possession of the KSAs and other characteristics needed to provide nuclear medicine technology and administrative services is required. This experience must have provided the candidate with an in-depth knowledge of common and uncommon nuclear medicine procedures - in-depth knowledge of radiation safety practices - and knowledge of staffing levels - financial management - personnel management - and supply management.
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: In addition to the Basic Requirements - the candidate must demonstrate all the following technical KSAs and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs as designated by an asterisk (*):
  • Ability to provide complex nuclear medicine patient procedures.
  • Ability to develop and initiate new protocols which apply current research findings.
  • Skill in providing and interpreting administrative reports to management orally and in writing.
• Preferred Experience: 1 year experience as a licensed Nuclear Medical Technologist.
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service.

Duties

Supervisory Nuclear Medicine Technologist will:

• Prepare - and administer radiopharmaceutical doses by injection - inhalation or ingestion as prescribed.
• Be proficient in introducing intravenous catheters in patients for administration of radiopharmaceuticals and/or medications.
• Be knowledgeable regarding possible side effects of radiopharmaceuticals and other medications - such as lasix and captropril - to be administered. Take immediate action to remedy any noted effects.
• Receive patients - explain procedure - answer questions relating to the procedure - position patient for all necessary views and tend to their comfort for the duration of the procedure.
• Obtain pertinent clinical data from the patient - electronic chart - requisition - and interviewing the patient and/or family.
• Move wheelchair and lift patients safely using ergonomic methods of patient transfer.
• Operate nuclear medicine equipment such as gamma cameras - well counters - GM survey meters - thyroid uptake system - and dose calibrators for various patient procedures.
• Understand and be able to perform exposure rate calculations.
• Correctly administer radioactive pharmaceuticals to patients. Utilizes necessary quality management methods of patient identification such as using two unique identifiers and using active rather than passive identification.
• Keep up to date with new imaging agents - procedures and methods. Write imaging protocols for use in department.
• Analyze procedure images for quality. Obtain additional images when necessary.
• Performs radionuclide therapy in collaboration with Nuclear Medicine Physician. Receive and assay prescribed therapeutic doses. Fill out appropriate forms and administer dose with the nuclear medicine physician. Instruct patient - family and nursing staff in radiation safety precautions. Perform radiation surveys - post appropriate caution signs - and distribute personnel monitoring devices as required. Properly monitor and store any radioactive waste for disposal.
• Prepares studies for nuclear medicine physician's interpretation by ensuring completeness of all forms involved in the procedure. Record appropriate data and related information on the proper patient worksheet and images.
• Ensure proper billing and workload information by using accurate CPT codes for each patient's study.
• Schedule patient procedures - taking into consideration camera availability - scan length - patient condition - the need for multiple nuclear medicine studies - other clinic appointments of the patient - contraindications for the test and urgency of the request. Inform patient of all pertinent preparations for his/her scan - i.e. - NPO - follow certain diet - bowel prep - etc.
• Perform required technical procedures for safe receipt - handling - transport - usage and disposal of radioactive materials - assuring compliance with Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) - National Health Physics Program (NHPP) - Department of Transportation (DOT) and license conditions. Understands different precautions used based upon the various package types.
• Understand - utilize and practice the concepts of ALARA principle - maintaining radiation exposures as low as reasonably achievable.
• Recognize potential radiation contamination by visual and mechanical methods.
• Calibrate thyroid uptake system - gamma cameras - dose calibrators and well counter. Adjust and maintain instruments - verify correct operation using established procedures and quality control standards. Identify and record the cause of problems when they occur. Troubleshoot issues.
• Instruct Nuclear Medicine students - Radiology students - new technologists - residents and others on techniques - procedures - equipment - etc.
• Perform daily laboratory surveys - wipe tests and bioassays. Recognize evidence of contamination and act accordingly to maintain ALARA principles.
• Evaluate study for technical abnormalities (artifacts) and take the proper steps to correct the problem.
• Evaluate the validity of data in relation to results needed and determine if additional information is needed for clarification of test results or to establish a definite diagnosis and confer with physicians on additional tests as necessary. Identify positive results and notify the Nuclear Medicine Physician immediately.
• Maintain a neat and clean work area - including desks and countertops.
• Help other technologists - when necessary - i.e. difficult or uncooperative patient - heavy workload - etc. Maintain and encourage an environment of teamwork and a positive workplace.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 7:30a.m.-4:00p.m.