The Miami VA Radiation Oncology Service is part of, VA Medical Center of VISN 8. Employees at this level serve as advanced staff TRTs independently carrying out procedures which have varying assignments. This includes special and complex therapeutic radiological procedures, which exceed the full performance level. The ability to provide emergency treatment delivery/simple MU dose calculation as assigned. The ability to coordinate scheduling of simulation, planning, and treatment procedures. 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 a. Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with 38 U.S.C. ? 7407(a). b. 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). c. Certification. All applicants must be certified in therapeutic radiologic technology by the ARRT in Radiation Therapy (ARRT (T)).(1) All applicants must be certified in therapeutic radiologic technology by the ARRT in Radiation Therapy (ARRT (T)). d. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service. e. English Language Proficiency. TRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English. See 38 U.S.C. ? 7403 Grade Determination GS-10 (1) Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled. (2) Assignments. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher level 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. (3) 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 Reference: January 15, 2021 VA Handbook 5005/137 Part II Appendix G26 This position is above the full Performance Level GS-10 ["Independently: scheduling of treatments in a manner as to optimize accelerator times while maintaining flexibility for emergent cases. Skilled to independently perform the quality control of the treatment machines, ability to take recorded readings every morning prior to patient treatments using the dosimetry verification and record system for each energy level. Obtaining machine check for rotational therapy and electronic dynamic wedge verification. Skilled to independently perform the daily imaging procedures to ensure correct operations. Alerts appropriate staff as necessary if parameters fall outside the recommendation Knowledge to determine the appropriateness of posted signs and warnings. Identifies individual patient by the required identification methods set forth by hospital policy and departmental procedures before assisting in simulation and each daily radiation treatment is delivered. Verifies patient consent prior to assisting in CT simulation. Must be alert to patient's condition and other disorders. Reactions on the part of the patient require immediate attention so that harm does not come to the patient. Knowledge of basic nursing procedures, examination preparation and contraindications Skilled to independently communicate orally exam preparations/special orders to patients and hospital staff. Skilled to independently perform the fabrication of custom patient immobilization devices as instructed or departmental protocol. Skilled to independently indicate on patient's skin with tattoos and or markings required locating treatment area. Verifies patient's treatment area daily in the treatment machine vault. Skilled to independently operate CT Simulator and preform all basic and complex simulations: follow directive, design custom immobilization for reproducible set? ups, obtain optimal imaging, accurate data transfer for treatment planning, and providing accurate precise patient documentation. Skilled to independently obtain isocenter verification, treatment field verification of conformal blocking, with multi-leaf collimator, or cerro-bend blocking. Skilled to independently utilize a Linac's On Board Imaging system, interprets the images using in-depth knowledge of anatomy to implement changes. Provide guidance for more in-depth complex imaging. Skilled to independently perform patient chart reviews, use of VA EMR, utilization and documentation within the Record and Verify system. Skilled to independently utilize electronic radiation treatment chart for set-up instructions, field size, field shaping, SSD, field compensators and beam restrictions. Skilled to employ any necessary accessory beam restriction devices, i.e., wedges, bolus, collimator angles, or cerro bend blocks for fields to be treated. Skilled to independently verify the correct multi-leaf collimation and electronic dynamic wedges. Skilled at independently: setting-up and delivering basic and complex radiation treatments on a Linear Accelerator, as prescribed by the Radiation Oncologist, including but not limited to IMRT, IGRT, VMAT and other treatment delivery procedures. Work Schedule: Rotating Shifts Mondays - Fridays form 7:30am-4:00pm. Performs irregular hour emergency treatments on standby, 24 hours per day coverage, availability within 2 hours from receipt of call. Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:30487F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Educational Debt Reduce Program Contact , the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more jamie.wunsch@va.gov Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
