Therapeutic Radiology Technologist (Dosimetrist)

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Major duties:

• Enters irregular fields, patient contours, and other vital beam data into a treatment planning computer in a timely and accurate manner. Enters approved treatment fields into the record and verify system, assuring that all patient data is correctly input and transferred to the treatment machine for treatment of a patient.
• Accurately computes radiation dose to individual parts, tumors, organs of interest, and other necessary body structures to ensure quality treatment to patients, and safety of normal tissue.
• Proficient at importing diagnostic images from the hospital system to perform image fusion with the treatment planning scan.
• Working with the radiation therapists in the implementation of the patient treatment plans, including, the correct application of immobilization devices, beam modification devices, approved field arrangements, and other treatment variables.
• Uses imaging modalities such as CT scans, alone or in combination with MRI or PET scans, create conventional or IMRT treatment plans that enable us to give higher doses of radiation to a tumor while lowering the doses to the sensitive structures around it.
• Conscientiously maintains awareness of dose-tissue tolerance.
• Drafts one or several isocentric plans, as required, with emphasis on quality of dose distribution, using dosimetric knowledge and the parameters set by the treating physician.
• Submits plan choices to the appropriate physician to aid in determining the best treatment method for specific patient tumors on an individual basis.
• Maintains a record of upcoming boost treatment plans, so that they may be prepared within the prescribed practice and professional competency.
• Initiates complex treatment planning, utilizing the most up-to-date technology available, including 3D conformal, IMRT techniques, and stereotactic techniques.
• Creates set-up fields for treatment including, KV and CBCT fields, for verification of treatment parameters.
• Prepares fields for treatment, including set-up notes, photos, and scheduling of filming, in RT chart.
• Utilizes the electronic chart per the departmental standards and procedures.
• Indicates vital factors necessary for correct patient treatment, such as boosts, cord block, wedges, and other various treatment aids.
• Accurately diagrams/describes patient set-up when necessary to assure treatment method may be easily understood by the therapists administering the treatments.
• Attends weekly chart rounds of patients on treatment.
• Assists with radiation treatment delivery when necessary.
• Assists CT scan technologists and instructs them as to the scan slices that will be needed and/or patient positioning for the best treatment plan.
• Ensures CT scans are promptly imported to the planning system for image fusion to assure smooth patient flow.
• Works with Radiation Oncologists, Therapists, Nursing, and Clerical staff, as a member of the radiation therapy team to accomplish the goals of the radiation therapy department effectively and efficiently

Work Schedule: Monday to Friday 8:00am- 4:30pm
Compressed/Flexible: Not available
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 00000
EDRP Authorized: EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Applicants pending the completion requirements may be hired for a period not longer that 2 year. If this requirements is not met applicant employment will be terminated.

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. Completion of a medical dosimetry program of at least 12 months long accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) and a baccalaureate degree is required. JRCERT is the accrediting agency for the medical dosimetry programs recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Certification: All applicants must be certified in medical dosimetry by the Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board ( MDCB). Certified Medical Dosimetry (CMD) is the recognized credential for Medical Dosimetrists.
NOTE: CMDs who perform therapeutic radiologic technologist duties must also possess American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT) (T) certification and be assigned to a functional statement that combines both types of work.

NOTE: Public Law 97-35 requires persons who administer Therapeutic Radiological 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 U.S. Department of Education or be a radiation therapist certified in medical dosimetry.

Exception. Non-certified applicants who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for Medical Dosimetrist certification may be given a temporary appointment under 38 U.S.C. § 7405(a)(1)(B) for up to two years at the entry level only as a graduate Medical Dosimetrist under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B). Failure to obtain certification during the two-year time is justification for termination of the Dosimetrist temporary appointment. This may result in termination of employment. The Human Resources Office will provide the uncertified Medical Dosimetrist, in writing, the requirement to obtain certification, the date by which the certification must be acquired and the consequences for not becoming certified by the deadline. The written notice must be provided prior to the entrance on duty date.

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).

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE: Board Certified as a Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist (Dosimetrist)


Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates:

GS-10: Experience: At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled
The candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs:

• Skill in computer treatment planning to design patient treatment plans with awareness to dose limitations to critical structures following the prescription outlined by the radiation oncologist.
• Ability to perform control procedures for radiation therapy including weekly chart checks for data accuracy and completion and quality assurance procedures on the treatment planning computer(s).
• Ability to assist in preparation and design of custom molds, boluses, templates and compensating devices.
• Ability to assist in computer tomography (CT) scans for tumor localization in radiation treatment planning to perform accurate patient contours for transfer to treatment planning devices.

GS-11 Experience. At this level, candidates must have at least one year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, that is directly related to the position to be filled and that demonstrates possession of the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to provide services as a staff dosimetrist
The candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSA:

• Ability to effectively communicate all aspects of the directive and treatment planning process with the radiation oncology team to solve complex clinical treatment challenges.
• Skill at importing diagnostic imaging studies from multiple media types and image fusion utilizing computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET), positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET CT) for complex treatment planning.
• Skill in utilizing computer treatment software to develop an accurate deliverable complex plan such as, 3D conformal, intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), Volumetric Arc Therapy (VMAT) and stereotactic techniques, dose limitation to critical structures, Record and Verify software and quality assurance (QA) methods following the directive outlined by the radiation oncologist. iv. Ability to delineate and accurately contour critical structures and tumor volumes utilized for development of a deliverable treatment plan through an in-depth knowledge of cross-sectional anatomy and all diagnostic imaging modalities.
• Knowledge of radiation safety practices to include reporting discrepancies and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, quality standards, accrediting agencies, policies and standard operating procedures.
• Ability to provide input or assist with the use or necessity of ancillary treatment devices, patient immobilization techniques and other patient positioning techniques as needed for simulation or treatment.
• Ability to apply new developments, planning techniques and technology in the field of radiation therapy such as but not limited to treatment planning system QA.

References: VA Handbook 5005/138 Part II, Appendix GS-66.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-09 to GS-11.

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.

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.