The position is that of a Registered Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist with skill in special procedure radiography and Computed Tomography (CT) scan. 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 (ARRT) (R). Advanced ARRT certification is required for Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Advanced certification indicates that the technologist has demonstrated specific clinical competency in the appropriate specialty and taken and passed the designated examination. 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. 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-09: In addition to the basic requirements for employment as listed above, applicants must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-08 grade level independently providing radiologic services with occasional oversight or direction for highly complex issues. Examples of qualifying experience includes, but is not limited to: experience checking radiologic systems for operation and assessing acceptable performance based on established guidelines; making calibration parameter adjustments as needed; monitoring a patients physiologic changes during procedures and keeping the radiologist informed, experience with the patients clinical record, diagnosis, and laboratory results; experience using tact, diplomacy, and courtesy in dealings with the customer base, patients, staff, family, visitors, and volunteers; experience utilizing knowledge of anatomy and physiology, and cross-sectional anatomy, recognizing unusual images, and determining proper positioning to best demonstrate areas of interest. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment-specific KSAs designated by and 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 References: VA Handbook 5005/77, Part II, Appendix G25, Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist Qualification Standard, GS-647 dated December 13, 2019. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09. Physical Requirements: Work requires physical exertion such as periods of standing (up to 7 hours), walking (up to 7 hours), repeated bending (.5 hours), straight pulling (.5 hours), pushing (.5 hours), use of fingers, both hands required, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, reaching above the shoulder, moderate carrying (15 - 44 pounds), heavy lifting (45 pounds and over). Ability to read printed material without strain (glasses permitted), visual requirement 20/50 or better in one eye, ability to distinguish basic colors. Mental and emotional stability. Ability to hear conversational voice (aid may be permitted, based upon specific characteristics). Environmental Factors: Working around machinery with moving parts, protracted or irregular hours, radiant energy, working closely with others. ["This specialty modality requires specific knowledgeable of cross-sectional human anatomy and its application in spiral, and/or, multi-slice computer tomography, inclusive of 3-D reconstruction scans, including drainages, biopsies, and peripheral vascular examinations. The technologist requires specific knowledge and training in the location, appearance, and function of the various major and minor systems susceptible to radiological illumination; to interpret the examination request accurately; to understand the functioning and inter-relationship of the various organs; to use the methods and techniques which will identify organs appearing on the digital display monitor, or on film, and the various stages of the examination to judge the acceptability of the image and/or scan for diagnostic use and to emphasize the aspects of particular interest to the physician. The technologist may be required to perform general diagnostic radiologic examinations. Duties include, but are not limited to: Determines technical factors to achieve the highest quality scan for the Veteran; Prepares oral and injectable contrast and other chemical mixtures as necessary; Provides general radiology and Computed tomography training to student radiographers and residents from affiliated programs and facilitates the attainment of established program objectives; Sets up and positions patients, provides immobilization devices, selects proper technical factors on an individual patient basis. New equipment will be evaluated, and new methods will be compared with existing methods; Performs daily maintenance of head and body phantoms, such as changing water, cleaning and removing air bubbles, etc.; Programs technical factors by interrogating computer console and responding with inputs that will result in the required parameters as determined by the Radiologist and Physicist; Documents appropriately, in the patient record, the accurate events regarding treatment of the Veteran during CT procedures; Maintains competence in Venipuncture and refer to the Radiology Service procedure manual for guidelines on Administration of Contrast Media, Guidelines for Power Injection of Contrast Media, and policy for use of Contrast Media. Monitors the examination by checking computations, performances, and results of the selected parameters, to obtain the best diagnostic computer data and images. The incumbent performs clinical analysis of data recorded by the computer and transfers the computer data to PACS or disc as required. Work Schedule: Alternate day on/off tours 6:45 am - 7:15 pm or 9:30 am, - 6:00 pm, to include weekends Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 667-00195-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not 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.
