Qualifications

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 Requirement - Per VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, Paragraph 3j: No person will be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C., chapter 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English
• Education
• Master's degree or higher in a physics, science, or engineering discipline recognized by an accredited college or university with at least 30 semester hours in medical physics, health physics, radiological science, physics, engineering, chemistry, or biology
• or an equivalent foreign degree and coursework substantiated by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services
• Board Certification
• Persons hired or reassigned to TMP positions in the VHA must be board certified in the field of therapeutic medical physics by an approved certifying body
• The board certificate must be current and the applicant must abide by the certifying body's requirements for continuing education
• Approved Certifying Bodies The American Board of Radiology (ABR) in any of the following field titles: Therapeutic Medical Physics Therapeutic Radiologic or Therapeutic Radiological Physics Radiologic Physics or Radiological Physics The American Board of Medical Physics (ABMP) in the subfield of Radiation Oncology Physics
• The Canadian College of Physicists in Medicine (CCPM) in the subfield of Radiation Oncology Physics
• Exception for Non-Board Certified, Entry Level Candidates
• Non-board certified TMPs designated by the certifying agency (e.g., American Board of Radiology) as "board eligible", who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements, may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate TMP under the authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405(c)(2)(B)
• The appointing official may waive the requirement of certification for a period not to exceed 2 years for a TMP that provides care under the supervision of a board certified TMP at or above the full performance level
• This exception only applies at the GS-12 entry level
• For grade levels at or above the full performance level, the candidate must be board certified
• Temporary appointments of non-board certified TMPs may not be extended beyond 2 years, or converted to a new temporary appointment
• 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: GS-12 Therapeutic Medical Physicist (Entry Level): Experience
• None beyond the basic requirements
• AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of the scientific and technical principles and properties of radiotherapy devices for external beam radiotherapy
• This includes specialized knowledge of the clinical applications of these devices
• Ability to exercise independent judgment in the calibration and commissioning of external beam photon and electron beam delivery devices for clinical use
• This includes specialized knowledge of the acceptance testing and commissioning of radiation therapy treatment simulation equipment such as Computerized Tomography (CT) simulators
• Scientific and technical knowledge of electronic data handling techniques and software.4.Ability to exercise independent judgment in the safe operation of radiotherapy equipment and quality assurance
• This includes specialized knowledge of sources of uncertainty associated with treatment delivery and how to minimize the deviation between planned and delivered treatments
• configuration of test equipment and associated software
• and expected equipment performance for external beam radiotherapy treatment, brachytherapy, and simulation equipment
• Detailed scientific and technical knowledge of radiotherapy treatment planning principles, treatment planning algorithms, and treatment delivery
• Knowledge of scientific and technical aspects of brachytherapy delivery systems and radiation sources
• Ability to exercise independent judgment in radiation shielding techniques for external beam delivery systems
• This includes specialized knowledge of detection and survey methods for external beam delivery systems
• This also includes knowledge of regulatory requirements and guidelines for radiation shielding and protection
• Knowledge of multi-modality medical imaging to include a detailed scientific and technical understanding of megavoltage photon beam imaging, CT, radiographic imaging, magnetic resonance imaging, and positron emission computed tomography
• GS-13 Therapeutic Medical Physicist (Full Performance Level): In addition to the basic requirements, qualified candidates must possess the experience and demonstrate the KSA requirement described below
• Experience
• In addition to the basic requirements, qualified candidates must have completed of a minimum of 1-year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the next lower grade level
• That experience must be reflected in the candidate's resume and demonstrate possession and use of the GS-12 (Entry Level) KSAs above
• AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge regarding the safe and efficient use of all radiotherapy devices for external beam radiotherapy
• The ability to evaluate and ensure correct and safe operation of radiotherapy equipment through complex problem diagnosis and scheduled quality assurance
• Knowledge of the scientific, clinical, and technical applications of high dose rate and low dose rate brachytherapy treatment simulation, planning, dosimetry, and treatment methods
• Expertise in the professional, scientific, and technical aspects of shielding methods for external beam radiation delivery systems, radiation survey methods, developing procedures, setting action levels, delivering radiation safety training, developing and documenting competencies, and reporting
• This includes an in-depth knowledge of regulatory requirements and guidelines for radiation shielding and personnel protection
• Ability to exercise independent professional judgment in the performance and evaluation of calibration, acceptance testing, and clinical commissioning procedures for all types of external beam photon and electron beam delivery systems
• Skilled in the evaluation of acceptance testing and commissioning results of CT simulators
• Technical skills in 3-D treatment planning, intensity modulated radiation therapy treatment planning, and stereotactic body radiation therapy planning
• This includes specialized knowledge of clinical process steps and resource requirements for planning and delivery of radiation oncology treatments
• Ability to process information from multi-modality imaging datasets for treatment planning, treatment verification, and radiotherapy response assessment
• Preferred Experience: Experience with Elekta linear accelerators Experience with Raystation treatment planning system and/or Mim software Experience within the VA 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-13
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-12 to GS-13
• Physical Requirements (CONTINUED IN EDUCATION SECTION)