The dosimetrist at VA Miami uses highly sophisticated equipment complex formulate to plan the radiation dose distribution and calculate dosage to patients receiving radiation therapy as designated by the radiation oncologist and medical physicist. The medical dosimetrist must maintain a commitment to a high degree of accuracy, thoroughness, and professional judgment in determining whether the treatment plan meets the radiation. 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 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. 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. 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. Education. Effective January 1, 2017, candidates are required to hold a minimum of a bachelor's degree and graduate from a medical dosimetry program of at least 12 months in duration. The medical dosimetry program must be accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT), or other accrediting bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. JRCERT is the accrediting agency for the medical dosimetry programs recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Exception. Candidates who graduated prior to January 1, 2017, are considered to have met the basic education requirement provided they meet all Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board (MDCB) requirements and are in good standing. English Language Proficiency. TRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. Grade Determinations: Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist, GS-12 At this level, candidates must possess at least one year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the core competencies described at that level and must fully meet the KSAs. Specialized Experience: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the KSA: (a) Knowledge of the care and use of radioactive resources for implementation and treatment delivery. (b) Skill at effective communication and leadership as demonstrated by providing orientation and training for staff, providing input for yearly appraisals, directing progress and coordination of workload, and ensuring compliance with standard operating procedures and directives to provide continuity of care. (c) Skill in providing guidance and expertise related to all aspects of the treatment planning process. (d) Skill to independently perform complex treatment procedures as evidenced by completing tasks such as developing and troubleshooting highly complex isodose treatment plans delineating critical structures and tumor volumes, performing weekly chart checks, performing QA verifications and providing training on all aspects of the Record and Verify System such as Mosaiq or Aria. (e) Ability to resolve complex physical and geometric errors in radiation equipment, simulation procedures and treatment delivery implementation. (f) Ability to follow protocols including, but not limited to developing and implementing policies and standard operating procedures, participating in research programs, ensuring compliance with the radiation safety office, national program office, and accrediting agencies, and following established quality standard measures. (g) Ability to apply a broad range of specific methods of radiation measurements including, but not limited to, diode, ion chamber, thermoluminescent dosimeter, or film measurement as directed by a qualified Medical Physicist and perform or assist with the QA procedures as directed by a qualified Medical Physicist. Assignment. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty) and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. At the advanced level, Medical Dosimetrists are fully functional dosimetrists with knowledge and experience applying an advanced level of treatment planning and dosimetry procedures. Medical Dosimetrists serve as integral team members for complex treatment planning, QA verifications, weekly chart checks and ability to train on all aspects of the Record and Verify System. Medical Dosimetrists train staff, evaluate workload, and ensure compliance with all necessary governing bodies and standard operation procedures. References: Former VA Handbook Reference: Part II, Appendix G66. May 20, 2024 This position is above the full performance GS-12. 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. This announcement is an OCA=Open and Continuous Announcement will remain open until August 13, 2024. ["Obtain and synthesize pertinent clinical data to facilitate the radiation oncology process. Participate in the development of optimal treatment strategies. This includes, but is not limited to, the generation of external beam radiation dose distributions and the performance of dose calculations in accordance with the radiation oncologist's prescription to a defined tumor volume. Consider dose-limiting structures in the design of treatment plans and document dose in accordance with the radiation oncologist's prescription. Participate in treatment simulations and tumor localization on dedicated devices, including CT, and PET when indicated, for radiation oncology. Perform, or assist in the planning of, the fabrication of compensation filters, custom shields, wedges, and other beam modifying devices. Perform, or assist in the planning of, the production of molds, casts, and other immobilization devices. Perform or assist in the application of specific methods of dosimetry as directed by the medical physicist. Document treatment parameters associated with the radiation therapy process. Evaluate, critique, and recommend changes to the radiation therapy process as necessary. Performs Quality assurance activities based on established protocols and documents findings. Quality improvement programs allow the radiation therapist to be a responsible member of the health care team by continually assessing professional performance. Takes responsibility for professional decisions. Respects the patient's right to privacy and confidentiality. Provide patient and public education and promote principles of good health. Participate in continuing education in current treatment planning techniques and advances in medical dosimetry. Adhere to the established Standards of Medical Dosimetrist Practice and Code Ethics Maintains patient records and files; follows HIPPA guidelines regarding patient information. Incumbent is familiar with the principles of DRR and electronic transfer of medical information. Knowledge of radiation oncology billing and coding. The dosimetrist must demonstrate an understanding of human cross-sectional anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, and medical terminology. May assist with simulation. If involved directly with patients, must be continuously on the alert to the patient's condition and other disorders. Reactions on the pa1t of the patient require immediate attention so that harm does not come to the patient. Works with radiation therapists, the radiation oncologist, and medical physicist as a member of the radiation therapy team. Must assist and anticipate the needs of the radiation oncologists during the planning process Utilizes skill when requesting the appropriate procedural codes, accessing correct patient data, matching soft copy images correctly prior to sending through to treatment planning system. Confers with radiation oncologist to determine requirements/parameters for planning of patients enrolled on protocols or studies. Performs reconstructions of CT studies when requested, when part of a standard procedure, or when required for protocol review. Maintains records and files of plans run on patients. This includes the maintenance of back-up files and editing of patient plans in the radiation treatment planning system. Properly identifies patient images. This is essential so that mistaken identity of patient images does not occur. May obtain iso-center verification, treatment field verification of conformal blocking, with multi­ leaf collimator, or cerro-bend blocking. Utilizes electronic and/or radiation treatment chart for set-up instructions, field size, field shaping, SSD, field compensators, and beam restrictions. Practices radiation safety to reduce exposure to patients, staff, and self, in compliance with department and VA radiation safety procedures to maintain occupational exposures \"as low as reasonably achievable\" (ALARA). Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:00pm Compressed/Flexible: Not available Telework: Yes - as determined by the agency policy. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 30745F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact Jamie Wunsch, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more 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. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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