Lead Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist

The Lead Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist (TRT) is a team leader for the lower-level TRTs and provides a full range of both general and complex therapeutic radiologic oncology treatment procedures.

The Lead TRT is a team leader for the lower-level TRTs and provides a full range of both general and complex therapeutic radiologic oncology treatment procedures. Lead TRT provides technical oversight, distributes work assignments, and provides input on performance and competencies. This employee will ensure that new TRT staff are trained on all equipment and are informed of the service SOPs. The Lead TRT will serve as a technical mentor, trainer, and coach for the staff TRTs and is accountable to the Supervisory TRT.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Works as a crucial part of the Radiation Oncology team to ensure patient safety and trust and provides feedback to the team by reporting any concerns.
• Functions as the Lead Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist for a group of radiation therapists and has a broad knowledge of treatment modalities with the ability to encourage and assist as needed.
• Create and monitor staff and machine schedules to ensure adequate therapist coverage and to maximize workflow.
• Resolve conflicts with staff and address concerns with patients and their families.
• Possess a broad knowledge of Linear Accelerator warm-ups, troubleshooting, and quality assurance (QA). The Lead Technologist will adhere to and conform to the Standards of Ethics as established by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).
• Provide feedback to the Supervisory Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist.
• Receive assignments of varied difficulty that require application of standard procedure or that have special procedures identified and explained. The employee understands and carries out these assignments/requests with little or no interpretation of the appropriate procedure. If needed, the employee will seek assistance from the Supervisory TRT.
• Follow all locally established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Properly identifies the patient per OBVAMC policy and radiation therapy Time Out procedure before performing radiation therapy procedures.
• Secure patients' confidence and cooperation by explaining procedures.
• Review prescriptions and instructions for procedures. Carries out assigned tasks independently, functioning at a more advanced level.
• Perform detailed chart quality assurance (QA) checks before the patient's first treatment to ensure accuracy of prescription delivery.
• Perform weekly quality assurance (QA) chart checks to verify day-to-day treatment accuracy and prescription changes.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 3:30pm; subject to change based on the needs of the facility
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 01073F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): 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.
• English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
• 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.
• 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 employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: (KSAs must be clearly reflected in resume under description of duties in order to be found qualified for this position/grade level).

Lead Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist, GS-11
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) 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.
(b) 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.
(c) 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.
(d) 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.
(e) Ability to resolve informal employee disputes and concerns using problem solving skills.
(f) Ability to develop local policies and standard operating procedures.
(g) Ability to perform lead responsibilities such facilitating quality improvement activities, conducting in-service and staff meetings, conducting other departmental meetings as requested
(h) Skill in facilitating chart rounds.

Preferred Experience: None

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

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11.

Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, puling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment.

Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.

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.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.
• 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.