Summary

The Primary Purpose of this Position is to support the therapeutic goals set by the physicians for patients under their care - using principles and accepted protocols of physics. A Recruitment Incentive may be authorized for a Highly Qualified Individual. This vacancy will remain open until filled. The first cut-off date is 04/20/2026. Additional applications will be referred as needed. (open continuous announcement)

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
• TMPs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d)
• 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(a) The American Board of Radiology (ABR) in any of the following field titles: 1
• Therapeutic Medical Physics 2
• Therapeutic Radiologic or Therapeutic Radiological Physics 3
• Radiologic Physics or Radiological Physics (b) The American Board of Medical Physics (ABMP) in the subfield of Radiation Oncology Physics.(c) The Canadian College of Physicists in Medicine (CCPM) in the subfield of Radiation Oncology Physics
• 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)
• 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)
• GS-13 Therapeutic Medical Physicist (Full Performance Level) Experience
• In addition to the basic requirements - completion of a minimum of 1 year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the next lower grade level
• Assignments
• The full performance level TMP is board certified and performs the clinical practice of therapeutic medical physics in its entirety with considerable discretion and independent judgment
• The employee plans - delivers - verifies - and monitors quality assurance of radiotherapy at all levels of complexity
• Specific tasks include: recommending an optimal modality and treatment technique for the patient
• evaluating the quality - safety - and accuracy of radiation treatments planned and delivered to patients - thus ensuring that radiation dose is carried out correctly and completely
• and safely operating all radiation planning and delivery devices
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1
• Knowledge regarding the safe and efficient use of all radiotherapy devices for external beam radiotherapy
• 2
• The ability to evaluate and ensure correct and safe operation of radiotherapy equipment through complex problem diagnosis and scheduled quality assurance
• 3
• Knowledge of the scientific - clinical - and technical applications of high dose rate and low dose rate brachytherapy treatment simulation - planning - dosimetry - and treatment methods
• 4
• 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
• 5
• 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
• 6
• 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
• 7
• Ability to process information from multi-modality imaging datasets for treatment planning - treatment verification - and radiotherapy response assessment
• Preferred Experience: The ideal candidate for the position of Therapeutic Medical Physicist should possess a minimum of 5 years of experience in the field of therapeutic medical physics
• They should hold a current certification by the American Board of Radiology (ABR) or the American Board of Medical Physics (ABMP) in Therapeutic Radiologic Physics or an equivalent certification
• This individual should have substantial experience in advanced radiation therapy techniques - including but not limited to - intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) - stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT)
• Proficiency in the use of treatment planning systems - linear accelerators - and associated quality assurance equipment and protocols is essential
• Additionally - the candidate should demonstrate active involvement in clinical research - publication in peer-reviewed journals - and participation in professional organizations
• Effective communication skills - collaborative abilities - and a commitment to maintaining the highest standards of patient care and safety are also critical for this role
• 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
• Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary
• Some work may require movement between offices - hospitals - warehouses - and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work
• Work may also require walking/standing - in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site
• Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds.

Duties

• Duties are but not limited to: Oversees radiation therapy treatment planning
• designs and approves treatment plans
• monitors the accuracy of treatment data recorded in the patient's medical records
• provides consultation to the radiation oncologist regarding difficult treatment cases
• performs patient specific treatment validation measurements
• and develops medical physics policies and procedures for the delivery and quality assessment of advanced treatment modalities such as intensity modulated· radiation therapy and stereotactic body radiation therapy
• Work Schedule: 8am- 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 53863-F Recruitment Incentives: Authorized