Summary

As a advanced DRT/CT/DXA technologist in the Diagnostics ICC - Imaging department - the incumbent is responsible for independently and without direct supervision performing a wide variety of routine to complex diagnostic radiologic examinations. These diagnostic studies are performed with and without contrast materials to aid the care provider with proper diagnosis and treatment of the Veteran.

Qualifications

All requirements must be met by the close date of this announcement - 04/30/2025.

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
• Education: Completion of a full-time training course of at least 24 months in duration (or the equivalent) in a post-high school diagnostic radiologic technology program - evidenced by a certificate or an associate degree - accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) or from other accrediting agencies as recognized by the Department of Education (DOE)
• Credentialing Standards
• Public Law 97-35 - the Consumer-Patient Radiation Health and Safety Act of 1981 - requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75 - Standards for the Accreditation of Educational Programs and the Credentialing of Radiographic Personnel
• Essentially - they must have successfully completed an educational program that meets or exceeds the standards described in that regulation and is accredited by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and be certified as radiographers in their field
• Certification: All applicants must be certified in general radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology - Radiography (ARRT) (R)
• Advanced ARRT certification is required for assignments that include computed tomography (CT)
• English Language Proficiency: DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d)
• 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-9 Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist Experience: At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level - GS-8 - directly related to the position being filled that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level
• These include: Ability to check system for operation and assess acceptable performance based on established guidelines
• Knowledge of calibration parameters and the ability to make adjustments as needed
• Knowledge of patient's clinical record - diagnosis - and laboratory results
• Ability to monitor patient's physiologic changes during the procedure and keep the radiologist informed
• Skill in using tact - diplomacy - and courtesy in dealings with the customer base - patients - staff - family - visitors - and volunteers
• Knowledge of anatomy and physiology - and cross-sectional anatomy - recognizing unusual images - and determining proper positioning to best demonstrate areas of interest
• AND Certification: All applicants must be certified in general radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology - Radiography (ARRT) (R)
• Advanced ARRT certification is required for assignments that include computed tomography (CT)
• AND Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs): The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs: i
• Ability to balance the needs of patients and staff while still performing complex scans and procedures
• ii
• Knowledge of techniques for gathering relevant information from the medical record - significant others - and health care providers
• iii
• Ability to assess factors that may contraindicate the procedure
• iv
• Knowledge of basic first aid and basic life support practices related to radiography
• v
• Knowledge of physical assessment - aseptic techniques - intravenous methods and techniques and universal precautions
• vi
• Knowledge of pre-procedural - procedural - and post-procedural care of patients
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position
• Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination
• Grandfathering Provision
• All persons employed in VHA as a DRT on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title - series and grade held - including positive education and certification that are part of the basic requirements of the DRT occupation
• For employees who do not meet all of the basic requirements in this standard - but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it - the following provisions apply: (1) DRTs that require a certification - may be reassigned - promoted up to and including the full performance (journeyman) level - or changed to lower grade within the occupation - but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions
• (2) DRTs that require a certification only at higher grade levels must meet the certification requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels
• (3) DRTs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed - on a temporary or permanent basis - until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard
• (4) DRTs initially grandfathered into this occupation - who subsequently obtain additional education and/or certification that meet all of the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation
• (5) Employees who are retained as a DRT under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry as a DRT.

Duties

• VA Careers - Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist: https://youtube.com/embed/I-4ku5UMvWM Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Functions or scope of Assigned Duties: a
• Independently determines technical factors (i.e. - calculates the correct exposure factors of time - distance - kilovoltage - and milliamperage) - sets controls and operates equipment ensuring that the area of the body specified receives the correct calculated exposure
• b
• Maintains effective and efficient work environment in Imaging area by area by coordinating - planning - organizing - and executing the work potential to expedite workflow patterns within the department
• Monitors and maximizes efficiency in the number of exams performed without compromising quality standards
• c
• Independently operates and monitors digital radiography (DR) systems - CT equipment - DXA - PACS and other computer-based equipment (i.e
• computer - etc.)
• d
• Daily assesses any patient limitations (i.e
• vent patient - nursing home care - psychiatric - etc.) and is able to modify procedure to meet patient's needs while obtaining images needed for diagnostic interpretation
• e
• Prepares and administers contrast materials under the direction of the radiologist/physician for the purpose of performing exams requiring injectable solutions such as CT scans and cystogram - and for the purpose of performing oral and rectal exams of the GI tract
• In the case of injected media - a patient consent form must be obtained - when indicated
• f
• Routinely assesses patient for contraindications for ordered procedure (i.e
• elevated creatinine for IV contrast exam - allergy to contrast media etc.)
• g
• Receives and interprets imaging requests as it pertains to correct order for reason for study
• Coordinates exams in a manner to optimize performance of exams while maintaining flexibility for emergency cases
• Inputs pertinent radiology information into computer
• h
• Properly identifies patient images using identifiers and Left & Right markers
• Identifies patient prior to exam utilizing two factor identification
• i
• Responsible for explaining exams and potential hazards that may occur as a result of the exam to competent patients in terms the patient will comprehend and understand
• Explain any requirements of the patient for an adequate study to be performed
• j
• Practices radiation safety to reduce exposure to patients - staff - and self
• This is achieved by the appropriate use of lead aprons - lead gloves - lead shields - lead-lined walls - collimation - and distance management
• k
• Continually reviews new developments in the field of radiology keeping abreast of technological advances and discusses these with the supervisor for possible improvements to the Imaging department
• l
• Maintains electronic records of patient studies - and statistical reports
• Utilizes current and effective record keeping and tracking mechanisms
• m
• Troubleshoots equipment used in diagnostic radiologic procedures
• Performs minor routine preventative maintenance as required
• Recognizes and reports major equipment malfunctions within a timely manner to supervisor and/or Biomed service representative
• n
• Performs quality control procedures - which may include (but not exclusively) reject/repeat film analysis - lead apron & glove radiation protection verification - SMPTE - and any other quality tests as assigned
• o
• Accountable for departmental equipment and supplies and communicates needs to supervisor
• Maintains - monitors - and anticipates levels of pharmaceuticals - supplies - and/or equipment
• p
• The incumbent must be aware of and practice the safety policies/procedures of the department and Medical Center as well as participate in quality assurance activities as directed
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:30am-5pm-with rotational evening call and rotational weekend / holiday coverage Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized