Nuclear Medicine Technologist

Location: Long Beach, California (Onsite)

Employment Type: Contract (Full-Time, Part-Time, and PRN)

About AKIVA

AKIVA is an AI-native engineering firm specializing in enterprise services, domain-specific solutions, and high-performance infrastructure from strategy through deployment. We build innovative systems that drive measurable results for commercial enterprises and government agencies. AKIVA is a certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB).

Position Overview

AKIVA is hiring Nuclear Medicine Technologists to prepare and administer radiopharmaceuticals and perform nuclear medicine diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for the Veterans served by the VA Long Beach Healthcare System. This labor category aligns with the VA ICSP Nuclear Medicine Technologist definition (OPM series GS-0601). Work is performed under the direction of a VA nuclear medicine physician and in accordance with Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) licensure (or Agreement State), California Radiologic Health Branch regulations, Joint Commission standards, ACR Nuclear Medicine Accreditation, and VA policy governing the handling, administration, and disposal of radioactive materials.

Key Responsibilities

•       Prepare, calibrate, and administer radiopharmaceuticals for diagnostic and therapeutic nuclear medicine procedures

•       Perform planar, SPECT, SPECT/CT, PET/CT, and hybrid imaging studies in accordance with protocol and clinical indication

•       Operate gamma cameras, PET/CT scanners, dose calibrators, survey meters, and ancillary nuclear medicine instrumentation safely and efficiently

•       Verify patient identity, obtain informed consent as applicable, and explain procedures and post-procedure radiation-safety instructions

•       Monitor patients during and after radiopharmaceutical administration for adverse reactions, extravasation, and distribution abnormalities; escalate as required

•       Document administered activity, lot numbers, decay calculations, and procedural data in CPRS, VistA Imaging, and RIS

•       Maintain radiation-safety records, area surveys, wipe tests, and waste decay logs consistent with NRC, Agreement State, and VA Radiation Safety Officer requirements

•       Perform daily QC on all nuclear medicine instrumentation (uniformity, center-of-rotation, sensitivity, energy resolution, linearity) and flag discrepancies

•       Support the handling, storage, transport, and disposal of radioactive materials per 10 CFR Parts 19, 20, and 35

•       Participate in ACR Nuclear Medicine Accreditation activities and Joint Commission readiness

•       Deliver patient-centered, Veteran-focused care with cultural humility and sensitivity to service-connected conditions

Required Qualifications

•       Successful completion of a training program for nuclear medicine technologists accredited by JRCNMT, JRCERT, or another Department of Education–recognized accreditor (consistent with 42 CFR Part 75 credentialing)

•       Active certification by the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board (NMTCB) or ARRT(N), in good standing

•       Active California Department of Public Health Radiologic Health Branch (CRT) permit or Nuclear Medicine Technologist certification as required by the modality mix of the assignment

•       Minimum of one (1) year of nuclear medicine clinical experience (or equivalent training under the ICSP month-for-month substitution)

•       Demonstrated proficiency with PACS, RIS, and nuclear medicine acquisition and processing workstations

•       Current American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS); ACLS required for therapeutic radionuclide administration assignments

•       Ability to obtain and maintain VA credentialing through VetPro and a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) credential

•       Ability to pass a federal background investigation (minimum Tier 1 / NACI) and meet all VA immunization, TB screening, and occupational health requirements

•       Strong written and verbal communication skills, attention to detail, and a patient-centered orientation

•       Must be authorized to work in the United States

Preferred Qualifications

•       Prior experience at a VA Medical Center, DoD Military Treatment Facility, or Indian Health Service facility

•       PET/CT or SPECT/CT dual-modality experience

•       Experience with theranostics (Lu-177, I-131, Ra-223) and handling of unsealed therapeutic radionuclides

•       NMTCB advanced certifications (e.g., NCT, PET, NMAA) or ARRT(CT) in addition to ARRT(N)

•       Experience with CPRS, VistA Imaging, or Cerner Millennium

•       Bilingual ability in Spanish, Tagalog, Vietnamese, or Korean

•       Veteran status (AKIVA applies a Veteran hiring preference consistent with federal law)

•       Two or more years of nuclear medicine clinical experience

Tools, Technologies & Frameworks

Modalities: Planar gamma camera, SPECT, SPECT/CT, PET/CT, Theranostics | Imaging Systems: VA PACS, RIS, CPRS, VistA Imaging, Cerner Millennium | Safety & Regulatory: NRC (10 CFR 19/20/35), Agreement State, ALARA, ACR Nuclear Medicine Accreditation, Joint Commission | Credentialing: VetPro, PIV, BLS/ACLS, NMTCB, ARRT(N), California CRT | Productivity: Microsoft Office Suite, Microsoft Teams

What AKIVA Offers

•       Professional development and skill-building opportunities

•       Supportive management team with Veteran-owned company values

•       Opportunity to work on impactful public sector engagements

•       Long-term contract engagement with potential for extension

•       AI productivity tools and training provided at no cost to employees

Comprehensive Benefits Package

•       401(k) with generous company match

•       Medical Insurance

•       Dental Insurance

•       Vision Insurance

•       Short-Term & Long-Term Disability Insurance

•       Paid Time Off (PTO)

•       Profit Sharing

Join Our AI Innovation Network

Interested in staying connected with AKIVA's AI initiatives, research, and opportunities?

Join our AI Innovation Network here: https://www.akiva.com/ai-network

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

AKIVA is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical disability, marital status, military and Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We believe that diversity among our teammates is critical to our success as a company, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people within a qualified candidate pool.

AKIVA is a certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB).