Summary

This position is located at the Central Virginia VA Healthcare System in Richmond - Virginia. The Radiation Oncology Service Therapeutic Radiologic Technician is a graduate of an approved program in therapeutic Radiologic Technology - evidence by a certificate - an associate's degree or Bachelor Degree from an accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) and certification by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) (T).

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:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• Certification
• (1) All applicants must be certified in therapeutic radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT) (T)
• (2) Certification in Medical Dosimetry is not a basic requirement for this occupation
• however - it is strongly desirable as evidence of possession of the essential knowledge - skills - and abilities
• Education
• Completion of a program in therapeutic radiologic technology - evidenced by a certificate or an associate 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 Physical Requirements
• English Language Proficiency
• TRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2 - section D - paragraph 5a - this part
• 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: Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist - GS-6 (1) Experience
• None above the basic requirements
• (2) Assignment
• Employees at this grade level serve as a staff TRT in an entry-level developmental position
• They complete basic radiation therapy and basic clinic duties
• They receive guidance and oversight from experienced staff members and require direct supervision
• Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist - GS-7 (1) Experience
• At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• Candidates must demonstrate all the KSAs below: (a) Knowledge to set-up the treatment room to deliver basic and some complex radiation treatments on a linear accelerator - as prescribed by the radiation oncologist
• (b) Knowledge of machine warm up procedures for interpreting output levels compared with established thresholds and radiation safety principles
• (c) Ability to perform patient chart reviews using an electronic medical record and using the Record and Verify System or other similar treatment delivery systems
• (d) Knowledge of operating computed tomography (CT) Simulator to preform simulations that is demonstrated by following directives - designing custom immobilization for reproducible set-ups - obtaining optimal imaging - and completing accurate and precise patient documentation
• (e) Skill in communicating all aspects of patient care with the radiation oncology team
• (f) Knowledge of utilizing an on-board imaging system (i.e. - Linac's or comparable system) to interpret the images
• (g) Skill in performing radiation safety practices including when to report discrepancies and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements - quality standards - accrediting agencies - policies and department standard operating procedures
• Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist - GS-8 (1) Experience
• At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the knowledge - skills - and abilities/core competencies described at that level
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills and Abilities
• Candidates must demonstrate all the KSAs below: (a) Skill in setting up the treatment room to deliver basic and some complex radiation treatments on a linear accelerator - as prescribed by the radiation oncologist
• (b) Ability to perform machine warm up procedures and interpret output levels compared with established thresholds and radiation safety principles
• (c) Ability to perform moderately complex patient chart reviews by using the electronic medical record and the Record and Verify System or other similar treatment delivery systems
• (d) Ability to operate the CT Simulator to perform simulations - design custom immobilization for reproducible set-ups - obtain optimal imaging and provide accurate and precise patient documentation
• Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist - GS-9 (1) Experience
• At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills and Abilities
• Candidates must demonstrate all the KSAs below: (a) Skill in independently setting up the patient in preparation for basic and complex radiation treatments on a linear accelerator - as prescribed by the radiation oncologist
• (b) Skill in independently performing machine warm-up procedures to interpret output levels compared with established thresholds adhering to the principles of radiation safety and all aspects of quality assurance
• (c) Skill to independently perform patient chart reviews and effectively document records utilizing an electronic medical records system and the Record and Verify System or other similar treatment delivery systems
• Preferred Experience: Prior experience as a TRT in a clinical environment
• Certified in radiation therapy Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is 9
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 6 to 9
• 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.

Duties

• Duties to include but not limited to: - Schedules treatments in a manner as to optimize accelerator times while maintaining flexibility for emergency cases
• This requires the ability to prioritize scheduled patients as well as the ability to accommodate the emergency patient who may need immediate simulation and treatment
• - Performs quality control of the treatment machines by taking recorded readings every morning prior to patient treatments using the dosimetry verification and record system for each energy level
• - Identifies individual patient by the required identification methods set forth by hospital policy before simulation or radiation treatment is delivered
• - Verifies patient consent and treatment area
• - Prepares contrast materials under supervision that are to be used for treatment simulations
• Ensures proper use or administration of the contrast materials to avoid the risk of patient mortality - therefore it is essential that the therapist has a thorough understanding of contrast material usage
• - 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
• - Properly operates CT simulator under guidance as necessary - provides reproducible patient treatment position sets-ups
• That can be accurately used for daily treatments on the Linear Accelerator
• - Provides custom patient immobilization devices as requested
• - After CT scan is acquired and isocenter or reference point is obtained - the therapist will provide set up DRR's for use in treatment planning and transfer the data set to the dosimetry section
• - Indicates on patient's skin/custom mask with tattoos and or markings necessarily needed to locate treatment area
• - Fabricates and verifies templates used for radiation treatments as needed or required
• - Obtains isocenter verification - treatment field verification of conformal blocking - with multi­ leaf collimator - or cerro-bend blocking
• - Obtains isocenter verification as needed by the use of EPID - cone bean CT and or the use of the on-board imaging system under oversight as required
• - Utilizes electronic and radiation treatment chart for set-up instructions - field size - field shaping - SSD - field compensators and beam restrictions
• - Employs any necessary accessory beam restriction devices - i.e. - wedges - bolus - collimator angles - or cerro bend blocks for fields to be treated
• - Verifies correct multi-leaf collimation and electronic dynamic wedges
• - Delivers prescribed mode of treatment in accordance with prescribed radiation prescription
• This includes -conventional -3-D conformal - electron delivery - IMRT treatment delivery - and IGRT treatment delivery (SRS - SBRT) and brachytherapy procedures
• - Maintains patient records and files
• Follows HIPP A guidelines regarding patient information
• - Routinely takes port/verification images on patients under radiation treatment - to maintain record of treatment accuracy in accordance to departmental procedures - verifies any changes in accordance with the physicians request
• - Promptly records in patient's electronic treatment chart/or physical chart any change in treatment - i.e. - change in patients SSD reading - change in field measurements - adjustments to position of treatment field - or patients treatment status if not treated - in order to make corrections in the treatment calendar - calculations or prescription if needed
• - Performs irregular hour emergency treatments on standby - 24 hours per day coverage - with availability within 45 minutes from receipt of call so that proper and effective emergency care can be given to the patient after completion of training and deemed competent
• After Probation period and completion of Rotations on all Treatment and Simulation machines and competency in all areas per Chief Therapist
• - Knowledgeable of the Radiation Oncology Excel calculation program for use with emergency patients
• - Works with Radiation Oncologists - Residents - Dosimetrists - Department Nurse - Research Nurse - Social Worker - and Clerical staff - as a member of the radiation therapy team to effectively and efficiently accomplish the goals of the radiation therapy team
• - Continually keeping current with new developments in the field of radiation therapy and being able to utilize the new technologies available
• - Providing the patients with accurate and compassionate treatment
• Work Schedule: Full-time - Monday - Friday - 8-4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized