Career Center

Summary

The Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (DRT) - Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) position is located in the Diagnostic Radiology Service Line located at the Chillicothe VA Medical Center. The incumbent is required to perform MRI examinations - including magnetic resonance angiography and - if necessary - magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

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: DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d)
• Education: Completion of a full-time training course of at least 24 months in duration (or the 2 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)
• 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 Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• Advanced certification indicates that the incumbent can operate independently and has demonstrated specific clinical competency in the appropriate specialty and taken and passed the designated examination
• 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: Experience: To qualify for the GS-9 grade level - you must have at least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level - directly related to the position being filled that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level
• Examples of experience may include - but is not limited to the following: 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
• and Knowledge of anatomy and physiology - and cross-sectional anatomy - recognizing unusual images - and determining proper positioning to best demonstrate areas of interest
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate ALL of the following knowledge - skills - and abilities and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment-specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): Ability to balance the needs of patients and staff while still performing complex scans and procedures.* Knowledge of techniques for gathering relevant information from the medical record - significant others - and health care providers
• Ability to assess factors that may contraindicate the procedure.* Knowledge of basic first aid and basic life support practices related to radiography
• Knowledge of physical assessment - aseptic techniques - intravenous methods and techniques and universal precautions
• Knowledge of pre-procedural - procedural - and post-procedural care of patients
• Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist
• Employees at this level are fully functional as an advanced DRT and carry out their assigned tasks independently
• DRTs at this level may have varying assignments including special and complex imaging procedures beyond the full performance level - clinical instruction - and basic QM type duties within the program
• Regardless of the nature of the specific assignment - the work must be of sufficient scope and complexity to meet the knowledge - skills - and abilities to perform at this level
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• This specialty modality requires additional knowledge of superconducting magnets - the physics of superconducting magnets - and how they relate to the human anatomy in medical imaging
• The technologist must be educated in the safety factors governing a magnetic environment that patients - visitors - and equipment enter
• The practitioner must have specialized knowledge of cross sectional anatomy and how it relates to the soft tissues and vessels of the human body
• The technologist must also have specialized knowledge in the radio-frequency surface coils required for each specific anatomical area to be imaged
• This assignment may also perform basic magnetic resonance safety program duties
• Technologists must be knowledgeable in contrast media - power injectors - and PACS
• DRT assignments that include performance of independent duties in this subspecialty require advanced ARRT (MR) certification
• Preferred Experience: 2 years of experience is preferred
• 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-9. Physical Requirements: Heavy Lifting (45 lbs and over)
• Heavy Carrying (45 lbs and over)
• Straight Pulling (up to 1 hour)
• Pushing (1 - 2 hours)
• Reaching above shoulder
• Use of fingers
• Both hands required
• Walking (up to 3 hours)
• Standing (up to 3 hours)
• Repeated bending (up to 1 hour)
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Near vision correctable at 13" to 16"
• Hearing (aid permitted).

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties include - but are not limited to the following: Interviews each MRI patient prior to their examination to determine if the patient has any contraindications or possible contraindications for the MRI procedure
• Thoroughly explains the examination procedure to all patients and determine which patients may require informed consent
• Complete a MRI contrast worksheet for all patients (to include known allergies and results of recent creatinine/eGFR tests) and will obtain radiologist written directions/instructions regarding contrast administration
• Prepares gadolinium-based contrast media and administers this contrast media intravenously to patients within the MRI suite prior to performing their scan according to either modified or approved standard protocols under a radiologist's directive
• Responsible for correctly initiating transfer of obtained MRI images to the organization's Picture Archival and Communication System (PACS) and confirming successful transfer of these images following completion of each acquired MRI examination
• Performs operator preventive maintenance as required
• Reviews each patient's MRI safety checklist with the patient - perform final (tertiary) MRI safety screening - and subsequently scan the patient for ferromagnetic materials with a hand-held metal detector before the patient enters the scan room per organizational policy regarding MRI Safety
• Notifies a radiologist of any recognized significant abnormality that may require immediate attention while patient is undergoing an examination
• Rotates in general x-ray performing all studies including but not limited to Fluoroscopy exams - DEXA - C-arm - Portable examinations and all general radiography exams
• Work Schedule: Monday through Friday - 8:00 a.m
• to 4:30 p.m
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• 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)
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• 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
• Functional Statement #: 928330 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized