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OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise - "To care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate care to Veterans? Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. BASIC REQUIREMENTS: Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, Paragraph 3g. Certification: All applicants must be certified in Advanced Radiology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology ARRT (R). Advanced ARRT certification is required for assignments that include computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or Mammography (M) duties performed independently (as applicable). 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. [In modalities that require advanced certification, to support their continued development, technologists who do not possess an advanced certification may be provided on the job training with oversight from a certified radiologic technologist.]. (Certification required) English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in both written and spoken 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 duration (or the equivalent) in a post-high school diagnostic radiologic technology program, evidenced by a certificate or an associate's degree, accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JCERT) Accredited Educational Programs (jrcertaccreditation.org) or from other accrediting agencies as recognized by the Department of Education (DOE) http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.. (Transcripts required) 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 5, 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. **Must have ARRT (R) certification**. Loss of Credential: An employee in this occupation who fails to maintain the required certification must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment. GRADE REQUIREMENTS: Creditable Experience (1) Knowledge of Current Radiologic Technology Practice. To be creditable, experience must have demonstrated possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics (also referred to as clinical competencies) associated with current radiologic technology practice. This may have been evidenced by the equivalent of 1 year of active practice, which is paid or non-paid employment as a DRT as defined by ARRT. (2) Quality of Experience. Experience is only creditable if it was earned after completion of the basic certification requirements identified in paragraph 2b above. Experience as a graduate DRT is creditable provided the candidate functioned as a DRT and subsequently passed the certification examination. (3) Part-Time Experience. Part-time experience as a DRT is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweek. For example, a DRT would receive 1 week of full-time credit for each 2 weeks of half-time work. Specialized Assignments. Specialized areas of radiologic technology include general diagnostic radiologic technology (R), bone densitometry (BD), mammography (M), diagnostic ultrasound (S), computed tomography (CT), [ ] magnetic resonance imaging (MR), [ ] [interventional radiologic technology (IR)], quality management (QM), [picture archival communication system (PACS) technologist, MRI safety officer (MRSO), imaging administrator, clinical program director, and clinical instructor.] General Radiologic Technology (R). DRTs perform procedures and examinations in hospitals or clinics under the direction of radiologists and other medical officers. The objective of the examinations and procedures is to produce radiographic studies that are used in medical diagnosis and interpreted by medical officers to locate injuries, foreign bodies, pathological conditions, or lesions within the body. They prepare and administer contrast media and medications in accordance with State and Federal regulations. All DRTs must be knowledgeable in computerized [and digital radiography (CR/DR),] and picture archiving and communications systems (PACS). Ultrasound (Diagnostic/Vascular) Sonography) (S), (VS). Diagnostic ultrasound uses high frequency sound waves and other diagnostic techniques for medical purposes. The practitioner must be competent in the production, use, recognition, and analysis of ultrasound images and patterns used for patient diagnosis and treatment. The sonographer is regarded as the expert source of all ultrasound imaging, and the interpreting radiologist relies heavily on the skills, knowledge, and abilities of the sonographers in providing a final interpretation. Within this specialization, there is a diverse range of ultrasound imaging sub-specialties. These include: 1) diagnostic medical sonography - abdominal, neurologic, obstetrical/gynecologic, [musculoskeletal (MSK), a breast; and 2) vascular sonography-arterial and venous doppler, spectral analysis, and calculating ankle brachial index (ABI). PREFERRED EXPERIENCE: Two or more years creditable experience as a general radiographer. Two or more years creditable experience in applicable advanced certification area (Ultrasound, Diagnostic/Vascular, Sonography, etc.). Experience using General Electric, Phillips, or Hitachi Ultrasound equipment. GRADE DETERMINATIONS: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates: Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (Ultrasound), GS-9. Must possess at least (1) year of experience at or 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. Experience in the specialty of Ultrasound must show competency in the production, use, recognition, and analysis of ultrasound images and patterns used for patient diagnosis and treatment. The sonographer is regarded as the expert source of all ultrasound imaging, and the interpreting radiologist relies heavily on the skills, knowledge, and abilities of the sonographers in providing a final interpretation. AND Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA's): In addition to the requirements listed above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following technical (KSAs) 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. (Your experience must be detailed in your résumé to receive full credit.) ["This is a hybrid multi-disciplined position combining the duties of Diagnostic Ultrasound (50% of the time) and Radiologic exams (50% of the time). In addition to performing the primary duties of Diagnostic Ultrasound the incumbent is required to perform routine radiography during regular and specified irregular tours duty. The purpose of these exams is to achieve diagnostic quality studies for Radiologist interpretation/diagnosis.Incumbent performs his/her assigned shift, coordinating workflow to ensure workload completion determining priority of examinations when necessary to accommodate patient priorities for critical or emergency procedures. He/she coordinates a variety of technical procedures that require independent judgment, ingenuity and initiative in identifying established protocols and makes modifications to techniques as necessary in the application of both ionizing radiation and non-ionizing high frequency sound waves both in the clinic and on the wards using digital imaging technology. . Duties at this level include, but are not limited to: Receives the patient, explains the procedure, positions the patient and utilizes established protocols to perform ultrasound exams of abdomen-liver, scrotum, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, abdominal aorta, and retro peritoneal kidneys, adrenal glands, and urinary bladder using pre-scribed protocols. Wards exams (portable) are at the discretion of the staff and will include gallbladder, pancreas, and visualization of the intra-hepatic biliary system, abdominal vessels, liver, and kidney exams. S/he differentiates artifacts from normal or pathological processes and recognizes electronic equipment limitations recording and processing the images from the equipment to PACS. Performs Transvaginal exams, Vascular studies, Venous Doppler, Carotid Arteries, Ankle Brachia Index exams, general radiographic exams, general fluoroscopic exams, and Dexa exams following the pre-scribed protocols. Gathers relevant information from the medical record from the medical record significant others and healthcare providers and assess factors that may contraindicate the procedure and/or reflex to alternate procedures as indicated by written protocol. S/he obtains pertinent diagnostic exams for the physician, which may be necessary to correlation the exam with the clinical history. Demonstrates a basic knowledge of physical assessment, aseptic techniques, universal precautions, basic first aid and basic life support practices relative to radiography and sterile operating room practices. Assist radiologists in routine fluoroscopic examinations. Prepares contrast materials under the direction of the radiologist for the purpose of performing exams requiring injectable solutions such as IVP, cytogram, and for the purpose of performing oral and rectal exams of the GI tract. In the case of injected media, a patient I.V. consent from must be obtained. These procedures require the use of needles, syringes, non-ionic contrast and gadolinium, barium, enema bags and drinking cups. Responsible to the radiologist and supervisor for the quality and quantity of radiographic exams performed in order to assure a high level of acceptability of radiographs while minimizing patient dosage and reducing costs. Lead markers are used, films are annotated as needed, exams are case-edited and archived to the PACS system routinely. Practices radiation safety in order to reduce exposure to patient, staff and self. This is achieved by the use of lead aprons, lead gloves, lead shields, lead-lined walls and collimation. Film badge will be worn on duty to assure compliance to radiation safety policy. The incumbent must also be aware of and practice the safety policies/procedures of the medical center and participate in quality assurance activities as directed. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 8:00AM - 4:30PM Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Service Line: Imaging Service Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized CS/Relocation Allowances: Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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