Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist (Dosimetrist)

About the role

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. ***A Recruitment Incentive and/or Relocation incentive may be offered to a ***Highly Qualified Candidate. ***

What you will do

• 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.
• Schedule may be subject to change based on the needs of the Agency.
• Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
• Functional Statement #: 93767A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be offered to a highly qualified candidate.
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

• 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 (***).
• 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.

Education

Transcripts must be official or unofficial college transcripts. A copy of your certificate/degree or screenshot of your current classes are not a replacement of your transcript, and they will not be used in the qualifying process. Your transcript must include your name and the name and full address of the institution.

To meet qualification requirements, your resume should clearly identify the following information for each applicable degree: Name of the college or university Degree earned and the field of study Date the degree was conferred (month and year) Please ensure this information is included directly on your resume so your education can be properly evacuated during the qualification revie 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: *** 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: ***

Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials.

Foreign equivalency evaluation from The Foundation for International Services, Inc. or the International Education Research Foundation is required. Foreign equivalency documentation from any other organization will not be considered.

How you will be evaluated

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC.

WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Creditable Experience. To be creditable, experience must be equivalent to at least the next lower grade level and directly related to the position being filled. It must demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics associated with current dosimetry standard operating procedures.

For positions at or above the full performance level, the experience must demonstrate the use of knowledge, skills. and abilities as a Medical Dosimetrist and may be paid or non-paid employment. Quality of Experience. Qualifying experience must be comparable to Medical Dosimetrist experience at the next lower grade level of the position being filled.

For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, administrative independence, complexity and range of variety as described in this standard at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Documents you must provide

• Resume Professional Certification All applicants must be certified in medical dosimetry by the MDCB.
• Certified Medical Dosimetry (CMD) is the recognized credential for Medical Dosimetrists.
• Transcript The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position.
• Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc. Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (Schedule A) Disability Letter (VA) License Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) Other (1) Other (2) Other (3) Performance Appraisal Professional Certification Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire.
• You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.).
• If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation.
• Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form.
• Documentation is required to award preference.
• For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.
• Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

What to expect next

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met.

After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center. NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service.

HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities.

HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities.

HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience.

This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions.

Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

VA Healthcare System advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest.

As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community.

This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.