THERAPEUTIC RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGIST
The incumbent will operate independently and as a team member to coordinate and responsibly perform all therapeutic radiation treatments. These treatments are performed with and without 3D treatment planning, IMRT, CT simulation and other techniques to achieve a biological cure of the disease of improvement in the quality of the remainder of the patient's life. Other duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Using knowledge of disease process, co-morbid conditions and other factors related to to individual patients to select appropriate positioning devices for procedures. Reviewing prescriptions, diagnosis, treatment plans, identification, and charts for accuracy prior to treatment. Scheduling patients in a manner that optimizes linear accelerator/simulator times while maintaining flexibility for emergency cases. Preparing rooms and equipment for patients according to prescriptions, immobilization devices, field size, treatment distance, lead protection devices, etc. Positioning patients for treatment with accuracy according to prescription and cushions/shields as appropriate. Performing and documenting daily accelerator/simulator warm-up and QA procedures and other QA procedures. Reporting erratic or malfunctioning equipment to Chief Therapist, Physicist and/or Engineer. Properly operating CT simulators, performing simulation and providing reproducible patient treatment position set-ups that can be accurately used for daily treatments on the Linear Accelerator. Accurately transferring radiographic images to treatment planning and dosimetry for use in development of computer generated treatment plans. Recording all parameters involved with each patient, including daily and accumulated doses, treatment time, field size and type of radiation used; and notifying dosimetrist of any changes in treatment so that needed corrections in the treatment calculations or prescription can be made as needed. Other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule:
Monday- Friday, Day Shift.(Note:
Work schedules are determined and approved by the supervisor. The incumbent may be required to work various shifts on a permanent or temporary basis based on patient care needs). Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/15/2019. Basic Requirements:
Citizenship:
Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.) Certification:
All applicants must be certified in Therapeutic Radiology Technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT) (T). Experience or Education:
Completion of a program in Therapeutic Radiologic Technology, evidenced by a certificate OR an associate's degree, accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT); certification by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) in Radiology, and the subsequent completion of a 12-month JRCERT approved program in Therapeutic Radiologic Technology. JRCERT is the accrediting agency for the radiation therapy programs recognized by the US Department of Education. English Language Proficiency:
Therapeutic Radiologic Technologists must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Policy. GRADE REQUIREMENTS Creditable
Experience:
(a) Knowledge of Current Therapeutic Radiologic Technology Practice. To be creditable, experience must have demonstrated possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics associated with current therapeutic radiologic technology practice including Picture Archiving Communication Systems (PACS), digital imaging, and Computed Radiography (CR) readers. (b) Quality of Experience. Experience is only creditable if it was earned after completion of the basic requirements identified in paragraph 2.b. above. Experience as a graduate TRT is creditable provided the candidate functioned as a TRT and subsequently passed the certification examination. (c) 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 1 week of full-time credit for each 2 weeks of halftime work. Grade Determinations for GS-10:
In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-09, that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level, and must fully meet the KSAs at the next lower level, which are:
1. Knowledge of hazardous materials in the handling and fabrication of special molds, blocks, and compensators; 2. Skill in operating highly complex and technical equipment including linear accelerators, teletherapy units, patient management systems, record and verify systems, electronic portal imaging, 3-D conformal radiation therapy systems, multi-leaf collimator, and intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT); 3. Ability to recognize abnormalities in relevant lab procedures and notify oncologist/nurse of abnormalities; 4. Ability to determine the appropriate timely sequence for patient studies and any special orders required; and 5. Ability to coordinate scheduling of simulation, planning, and treatment procedures. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk ( ):
1. Ability to confer with radiation oncologist regarding simulation/CT procedure needed to yield the most optimal images needed for treatment planning procedures to be performed; 2. Knowledge of disease process, co-morbid conditions, and other factors relating to individual patients in selecting appropriate positioning devices for procedure to be performed; 3. Knowledge of radiographic fluoroscopic, CT, and combinations of modalities and ability to obtain the images for review by the radiation oncologist for localization of tumors, their extent, and ancillary areas needing treatment; and 4. Ability to accurately transfer radiographic images to treatment planning and dosimetry for use in development of computer generated treatment plans. Assignment:
Staff TRT. Employees at this level who are not leads or supervisors are able to carry out their assigned tasks independently in all areas of radiation therapy, requiring TRT competencies which substantially exceed the full performance level and are unique and require advanced knowledge in all areas of radiation therapy specialties. 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 grade level. References:
VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G26 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.
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
Using knowledge of disease process, co-morbid conditions and other factors related to to individual patients to select appropriate positioning devices for procedures. Reviewing prescriptions, diagnosis, treatment plans, identification, and charts for accuracy prior to treatment. Scheduling patients in a manner that optimizes linear accelerator/simulator times while maintaining flexibility for emergency cases. Preparing rooms and equipment for patients according to prescriptions, immobilization devices, field size, treatment distance, lead protection devices, etc. Positioning patients for treatment with accuracy according to prescription and cushions/shields as appropriate. Performing and documenting daily accelerator/simulator warm-up and QA procedures and other QA procedures. Reporting erratic or malfunctioning equipment to Chief Therapist, Physicist and/or Engineer. Properly operating CT simulators, performing simulation and providing reproducible patient treatment position set-ups that can be accurately used for daily treatments on the Linear Accelerator. Accurately transferring radiographic images to treatment planning and dosimetry for use in development of computer generated treatment plans. Recording all parameters involved with each patient, including daily and accumulated doses, treatment time, field size and type of radiation used; and notifying dosimetrist of any changes in treatment so that needed corrections in the treatment calculations or prescription can be made as needed. Other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule:
Monday- Friday, Day Shift.(Note:
Work schedules are determined and approved by the supervisor. The incumbent may be required to work various shifts on a permanent or temporary basis based on patient care needs). Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/15/2019. Basic Requirements:
Citizenship:
Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.) Certification:
All applicants must be certified in Therapeutic Radiology Technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT) (T). Experience or Education:
Completion of a program in Therapeutic Radiologic Technology, evidenced by a certificate OR an associate's degree, accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT); certification by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) in Radiology, and the subsequent completion of a 12-month JRCERT approved program in Therapeutic Radiologic Technology. JRCERT is the accrediting agency for the radiation therapy programs recognized by the US Department of Education. English Language Proficiency:
Therapeutic Radiologic Technologists must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Policy. GRADE REQUIREMENTS Creditable
Experience:
(a) Knowledge of Current Therapeutic Radiologic Technology Practice. To be creditable, experience must have demonstrated possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics associated with current therapeutic radiologic technology practice including Picture Archiving Communication Systems (PACS), digital imaging, and Computed Radiography (CR) readers. (b) Quality of Experience. Experience is only creditable if it was earned after completion of the basic requirements identified in paragraph 2.b. above. Experience as a graduate TRT is creditable provided the candidate functioned as a TRT and subsequently passed the certification examination. (c) 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 1 week of full-time credit for each 2 weeks of halftime work. Grade Determinations for GS-10:
In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-09, that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level, and must fully meet the KSAs at the next lower level, which are:
1. Knowledge of hazardous materials in the handling and fabrication of special molds, blocks, and compensators; 2. Skill in operating highly complex and technical equipment including linear accelerators, teletherapy units, patient management systems, record and verify systems, electronic portal imaging, 3-D conformal radiation therapy systems, multi-leaf collimator, and intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT); 3. Ability to recognize abnormalities in relevant lab procedures and notify oncologist/nurse of abnormalities; 4. Ability to determine the appropriate timely sequence for patient studies and any special orders required; and 5. Ability to coordinate scheduling of simulation, planning, and treatment procedures. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk ( ):
1. Ability to confer with radiation oncologist regarding simulation/CT procedure needed to yield the most optimal images needed for treatment planning procedures to be performed; 2. Knowledge of disease process, co-morbid conditions, and other factors relating to individual patients in selecting appropriate positioning devices for procedure to be performed; 3. Knowledge of radiographic fluoroscopic, CT, and combinations of modalities and ability to obtain the images for review by the radiation oncologist for localization of tumors, their extent, and ancillary areas needing treatment; and 4. Ability to accurately transfer radiographic images to treatment planning and dosimetry for use in development of computer generated treatment plans. Assignment:
Staff TRT. Employees at this level who are not leads or supervisors are able to carry out their assigned tasks independently in all areas of radiation therapy, requiring TRT competencies which substantially exceed the full performance level and are unique and require advanced knowledge in all areas of radiation therapy specialties. 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 grade level. References:
VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G26 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.
- Department:
0648 Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist - Salary Range:
$82,764 to $107,587 per year
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
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