Lead Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist

A Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist in Radiation Oncology must complete an accredited radiologic technology program (JRCERT) and hold active certification from the ARRT (T), maintaining it in good standing. Technologist must be able to perform all radiation therapy duties independently. The technologist is expected to demonstrate advanced competencies across all radiation therapy specialties and may provide guidance to lower-grade therapists in complex or unfamiliar situations.

Incumbent will perform CT treatment planning scans for treatment planning/tumor localization, compensators and customized patient immobilization devices. Deliver the prescribed therapeutic radiation for the purpose cancer therapy. Incumbent will be expected to give oversight, training and encouragement to lower grade therapists.

Major duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Schedule treatments in a manner as to optimize accelerator times while maintaining flexibility for emergency cases
• Identify individual patient before simulation and each daily radiation treatment is delivered
• Knowledge of consultations, simulation, and treatment planning and treatment procedures
• Prepare required contrast materials that are to be used for treatment simulations
• Communicate orally exam preparations/special orders to patients and hospital staff
• Recognize abnormalities in relevant lab procedures and notify appropriate staff
• Properly operates CT simulator
• Provide reproducible patient treatment position sets ups
• Verify patient's treatment area daily in the treatment machine vault
• Obtain isocenter verification, treatment field verification of conformal blocking, with multi-leaf collimator, or cerro-bend blocking
• Assist patients to and from the treatment room
• Follow guidelines for storing and cleaning patient immobilization devices
• Knowledge of radioactive packaging
• Knowledge of Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NCR) regulations
• Perform annual inventory check as assistant to the custodial officer

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday | 7:00 am - 3:30 pm CST
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

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.
• 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)).

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 appointment, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates:

Lead Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist, GS-11:

• Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-10) directly related to the position being filled.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. Candidates must demonstrate all the KSAs below:
  • Ability to provide technical oversight, assure compliance with standard operating procedures, distribute work assignments to lower level radiation therapists and provide input for performance appraisals and competencies.
  • Skill in effective communication of all aspects of patient care with the radiation oncology team to include facilitating all essential communication to the Chief Radiation Therapist or leadership regarding clinical and operational issues.
  • Ability to independently deliver, mentor and provide oversight to lower level TRTs with basic and complex radiation treatments on a linear accelerator, as prescribed by the radiation oncologist.
  • Ability to instruct and train TRTs on the Record and Verify System (or other similar treatment delivery systems), newly acquired equipment, devices and products within the service.
  • Ability to resolve informal employee disputes and concerns using problem solving skills.
  • Ability to develop local policies and standard operating procedures.
  • Ability to perform lead responsibilities such facilitating quality improvement activities, conducting in-service and staff meetings, conducting other departmental meetings as requested
  • Skill in facilitating chart rounds.

Preferred Experience:

• Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist at a GS-11 must possess a minimum of four years clinical TRT experience.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

This position is above the full performance level. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-11.


Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.