Summary The John D. Dingell VAMC is recruiting for a Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist (Dosimetrist). The Medical Dosimetrist is a member of the Radiation Oncology team working collaboratively with the Medical Physicist and Radiation Oncologist, meeting cancer patients needs through radiation therapy. Responsibilities This is an Open Continuous Announcement that will be used for filling positions at facilities located within the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center area until January 2026. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available. We utilize Open Continuous announcements to accept applications in anticipation of vacancies. Extended announcements provide us a readily available source of applicants when vacancies do occur and are approved. If a vacancy does not occur for the location and grade for which you are qualified and apply, no further notification concerning the announcement will be provided. Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: 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 treatment machine for treatment of patient. Accurately computes radiation dose to individual ports, tumors, organs of interest and other necessary body structures to ensure quality treatment to patients, and safety of normal tissue. 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 appropriate physician to aid in determining best treatment method for specific patient tumors on an individual basis. Maintains record of upcoming boost, so that they may be readied within prescribed practice and professional competency. Prepares fields for treatment in RT chart, set up notes, photos and scheduling of filming. Indicates vital factors necessary for correct patient treatment; such as boosts, cord block, wedges, and other various treatment aids. Accurately diagrams patient set-up when necessary to assure treatment method may be easily understood by the therapists administering the treatments. Records final dose of all treatment areas with accuracy. Assists CT scan technologists in a competent and courteous manner and instructs them as needed. Ensures CT scans are promptly delivered to dosimetry for image formatting to assure smooth patient flow. Works with Radiation Oncologists, Therapists, Department Nurse, and Clerical staff, as a member of the radiation therapy team. Follows established safety practices and reports to supervisor as promptly as possible, unsafe conditions, unsafe practices or any occupational illness or injury sustained. Adheres to all safety and health standards, regulations, work practices and uses proper protective equipment as required. Assists oncologist in brachytherapy procedures and maintains sterile techniques. Designs a treatment plan by means of computer and/or manual computation to determine a treatment field technique that will deliver the radiation dose prescribed by the Radiation Oncologist. Takes into consideration dose-limiting structures when designing treatment plans. These structures could include the eye when treating the brain, the heart when treating the lung, or the spinal cord when it is included in the area of treatment. Supervises, performs, or assists in the process of producing moulds, casts, and other immobilization devices for accurate treatment delivery. Works 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. Using imaging modalities to 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. Performs calculations for the accurate delivery of the Radiation Oncologist's prescribed dose, documents pertinent information in the patient record, and verifies the mathematical accuracy of all calculations using a system established by the Medical Physicist. Performs, or assists in, the application of specific methods of radiation measurement. Understands the technical aspects of radiation oncology and medical physics to meticulously derive computerized treatment plans and then communicate these aspects to the Radiation Oncologist for plan approval and to the Radiation Therapist for plan implementation. Operates and performs quality assurance on the treatment planning system. Interprets and executes treatment plans as defined in relevant treatment protocols. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday; 08:00am-04:30pm. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 93767A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment 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 dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. 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. Loss of Credential. In collaboration with HR office staff, management officials must immediately relieve employees who fail to maintain the required certification of the duties and responsibilities associated with this occupation, which may also result in separation from employment. 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. 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. English Language Proficiency: Medical Dosimetrists must be proficient in spoken and written English. See 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Education
