This is an open continuous announcement and applications submitted prior to March 20, 2023 will be pulled and rated for referral. Further ratings will occur every two weeks thereafter until position is filled. Once a selection has been made, no further candidates will be rated/referred unless further vacancies occur. This announcement may be canceled at any time. 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: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Certification. All applicants must be certified in general radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology, Radiography (ARRT) (R) AND Magnetic Resonance Imagining (MR). 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) NOTE: Assignment to the clinical program director requires meeting JRCERT minimum educational standards as noted in the assignment description. Physical Requirements. A physical examination will be conducted based on the physical requirements of the position, VA Directive and Handbook 5109 English Language Proficiency. DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and7407(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). 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. NOTE: Each uncertified VHA DRT who was permanently employed on June 21, 1986, and whose competence in the safe administration of ionizing radiation was affirmed, in writing, by a VA licensed physician not later than January 1, 1987, is considered fully qualified. These employees may be promoted, changed to lower grade, or reassigned within the GS-0647 occupational series. Any employee initially retained in this manner who leaves this job series loses protected status and must meet the full requirements in effect at the time of reentry. Grade Determination: In addition to the basic requirements, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates. GS-09 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 with experience in work that has been performed independently, or under minimal general supervision, and includes experience in knowledge of superconducting magnets, physics of superconducting and how they related to human anatomy in medical imaging; knowledge of safety factors governing a magnetic environment that patients, visitors, and equipment enter; have specialized knowledge of cross sectional anatomy and how it relates to the soft tissues and vessels of human body; and have specialized knowledge in the radio-frequency surface coils required for each specific anatomical area to be imaged. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs. Demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment-specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): 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. Assignment. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MR). 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/119, Part II, Appendix G25, dated December 13, 2019, Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist Qualification Standards, GS-0647. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. ["Serves as operator of a super conductive magnetic unit. Develop new techniques, defining optimal protocols, devising alternative ways to visualize pathology within the patient. Interaction with physician, computer programs, vendor field service engineers, and biomed engineers will be normal occurrence of the daily duties of the operator. Provides patient care which is appropriate to the cognitive, emotional, and chronological maturation needs of the adult and/or geriatric patient population. Positions patient within the examining unit (MRI), monitors patient during all phases of the examination, and removes patient from the influence of the magnetic field upon completion of the data acquisition. Coordinates with radiologist to determine the most ideal pulse sequence parameters for the scanner for each individualized patient examination. Programs technical factors by interrogating computer console and responding with inputs that will result in the parameters of pulse form, pulse sequence, slice profile, etc. Monitors the examination by checking computations, performances, and results of the selected parameters to obtain the best diagnostic computer generated data and images. Maintains current certifications for venipuncture and iSTAT, registry and continuing education credits necessary for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists with basic licensure as a Radiologic Technologist (RT) and must maintain an advanced licensure for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MR). Assists manufacturer representative and biomedical engineers in the calibration and troubleshooting of malfunctions associated with the MRI unit. Maintains equipment malfunction and downtime log. Establishes and monitors quality control programs. Maintains a record of the system problems in the electronic examination log, as well as computer data and technical parameters on each examination. Coordinates daily schedule and requests with hospital physicians, clinical and administrative personnel pertaining to next day and future day's availability for patient examinations. Maintains supplies required for all MRI examinations. Ensures that upon completion of exam all images have been properly transferred to PACS in order to maintain a permanent record of all of the MRI patient exams. Maintains a log of all patients and examinations performed and contrast used to complete exam. Reviews new developments in the field and recommends those that would improve the operation of the MRI department to supervisor. Must be familiar with pulse sequences that are standard to a GE Healthcare Systems MRI scanner. Pulse sequences, for example, are SPIN ECHO, FAST SPIN ECHO, GRADIENT RECALLED EXCITATION, FIESTA, LAVA, PROPELLER, PROBE SV (Spectroscopy), TRICKS, DIFFUSION WEIGHTED, and PERFUSION. Must also be knowledgeable in performing advanced MRI procedures like MR Angiography, MR Perfusion, and MR Enterography examinations. Must keep his/her technical knowledge up to date by attending Continued Medical Education training. Should also keep his/her knowledge related to Safety and Infections Control Updates. Must be familiar with agency policies and regulations to follow them accordingly. Explains examinations to be performed to the patients and wards so that an understanding of the purpose of the studies as well as any requirements of the patients are thoroughly understood. This is done so that an adequate MRI exam may be obtained in an effort to get diagnostic examinations for the purpose of treatment and diagnosis of disorders. Performs or monitors safety checks on patients, employees, and visitors to comply with FDA safety standards and The Joint Commission (TJC) regulations regarding ferrous objects and cardiac pacemakers prior to those persons entering the environment of the 1.5 Tesla and 3.0 Tesla magnetic fields. The MRI Technologist will carefully position the patient so that the optimum anatomical projection is obtained based on suspected diagnosis. Work Schedule: Various tours of duty: day, evening, nights, weekends, holidays, on-call Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 640-02587-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
