Summary

Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist (TRT) is located within Radiation Oncology Service at the James J. Peters VA Medical Center. The TRT delivers prescribed therapeutic radiation for the purpose of cancer and abnormal cell growth treatments. These treatments are performed by utilizing TrueBeam. Performs CT simulator for treatment planning simulation - fabrication of cast blocks - compensators and customized patient immobilization devices.

Qualifications

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
• English Language Proficiency
• TRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English
• See 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)
• Education
• Individuals must have successfully completed a program in therapeutic radiologic technology - evidenced by a certificate or an associate's or higher degree accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology or other accrediting bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and the subsequent completion of a 12-month ED accrediting body-approved program in therapeutic radiologic technology
• Public Law 97-35 requires that persons who administer radiologic 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 ED - and be radiation therapists certified by the ARRT in Radiation Therapy (T)
• Certification
• All applicants must be certified in therapeutic radiologic technology by the ARRT in Radiation Therapy (ARRT (T))
• Loss of Certification
• Once certified - a TRT who fails to maintain the required certification must be removed from the occupation - which may result in termination of employment
• 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: TRT - GS-10 Experience
• At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled
• Note: Experience must be clearly demonstrated in resume to receive credit
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills and Abilities
• Candidates must demonstrate all the KSAs below: (a) Skill in independently performing machine warm up procedures and interpreting output levels compared with established thresholds adhering to the principles of radiation safety and all aspects of quality assurance
• (b) Ability to independently perform patient chart reviews using an electronic medical record and the Record and Verify System or other similar treatment delivery systems
• (c) Ability to independently perform all basic and complex CT simulations - including independently operating the CT equipment - following directives - designing custom immobilization for reproducible set-ups - obtaining optimal imaging - completing accurate data transfer for treatment planning and providing accurate and precise patient documentation
• (d) Ability to utilize a Linac's On Board Imaging system to interpret complex images
• KSAs must be demonstrated on your resume or submitted as a supporting document as part or your application package to receive credit
• If submitting KSA responses as a supporting document - these responses should clearly demonstrate your ability to perform the work - referencing your current and/or past employment history
• Preferred Experience: Proficient in operating Varian TrueBeam systems and advanced motion-management platforms - including Identify and BrainLab
• Skilled in the ARIA Record and Verify system - with the ability to navigate - document - and verify treatment workflows accurately and efficiently
• 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-10
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-10
• Physical Requirements: See VA Handbook 5019
• Creditable Experience
• To be creditable - the experience must have required the use of knowledge - skills - abilities - and other characteristics (KSAs) - also referred to as core competencies associated with current therapeutic radiologic technology practices
• Part-Time Experience
• Part-time experience as a TRT is creditable according to its relationship to full-time workweek
• For example - a TRT would receive one week of full-time credit for each two weeks of half-time work
• Quality of Experience
• Experience is only creditable if it is post-certification (as noted in paragraph 3c below) experience as a TRT directly related to the position being filled
• Qualifying experience must be at a level comparable to TRT 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 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
• Experience as a graduate TRT is creditable provided the candidate functioned as a TRT and subsequently passed the certification examination.

Duties

• TRT GS-10 Assignments
• For all assignments above the full performance level - the higherlevel duties must consist of significant scope - complexity - range of variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time
• Employees at this level serve as advanced staff TRTs independently carrying out procedures which have varying assignments
• This includes basic and advanced treatment modalities and procedures - which exceed the full performance level
• Employee will be assigned the responsibility of emergency on-call treatments - if applicable - and perform simple Monitor Unit calculations
• Other assignments include but - are not limited to performing CT simulations - troubleshooting for basic problems and machine issues - maintaining treatment rooms and equipment in a clean - neat and safe condition and assisting patients to and from the treatment room
• Regardless of the nature of the specific assignment - the work must be of sufficient scope and complexity to meet the knowledge - skills and abilities to perform at this level
• Duties may include but are not limited to: Provides safe - accurate radiation therapy by scheduling treatments efficiently - verifying patient identity and consent - and monitoring patient condition
• Operates and performs quality assurance on complex equipment including CT simulators and Varian TrueBeam systems
• Prepares contrast materials - creates immobilization devices - marks treatment sites - and performs simulation and treatment verification
• Maintains detailed records - follows HIPAA and radiation-safety standards - and reports equipment or safety issues
• Supports emergency treatments - mentors staff - participates in QA activities - coordinates care with other departments - and adheres to all infection control and safety procedures
• Work Schedule: Monday to Friday - 7:30am - 4:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 14221-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized