This position is in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Fredericksburg Health Care Center (FxHCC), VISN 6. The duties and responsibilities are carried out throughout all clinical and other Veteran care areas involved with the FxHCC Radiology Section. This position reports directly to the FxHCC MRI/CT Supervisor and will be expected to work closely in conjunction with the Radiology leadership of the parent facility, Richmond VA Medical Center. 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). 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. 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.] 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: GS10: (1) Experience. 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 (2) Assignments. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. DRTs at this grade level may be appointed to one of the following assignments: Advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist. Employees are trained to work in one or more difficult and complex modalities performing procedures related to these modalities as well as performing general diagnostic procedures. At this grade level, any assignment in a single modality must demonstrate significant complexity. Such assignments are unique, perhaps with expert specialization in complex areas of radiologic technology, Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) regulations, and intermediate QM type duties within the program. The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs: i. Knowledge of radiation protection standards, devices and techniques, including concepts of accumulated dosage, dose monitoring, and genetic changes. ii. Ability to utilize advanced imaging software that supports complex imaging programs and recognize changes in equipment and procedures that might result in increased exposures, and ability to recommend methods to prevent such exposures. iii. Knowledge of basic physics including concepts of energy, electric power, magnetic fields, and properties of x-ray, to understand the operation of the equipment iv. Knowledge and skill in positioning of patients for a wide variety of highly complex imaging (CT, MRI, IR, ultrasound, mammography) studies Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is 10. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 10 to 10. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 ["DUTIES: General Diagnostic X-ray duties will include but are not limited to routine examinations; portables; fluoroscopy; and the operating room. CT duties will include but are not limited to a full range of diagnostic and interventional examinations; complex CT angiography; CT portography; 3-D computer reconstruction; and complex computer measurements and manipulations. The CT technologist assists the radiologist in a full range of CT procedures that include but are not limited to percutaneous superficial and deep organ biopsies; paracentesis and thoracentesis; and drainage procedures. All General Radiography and CT images must be of acceptable diagnostic quality, as determined by the interpreting Radiologist. Each film/image should stand on its own. ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) principles will be followed during all examinations to ensure the Veteran receives the lowest necessary radiation dose Performs magnetic resonance imaging of heads and bodies which include, but are not limited to: brain, face, larynx, nasopharynx, neck, orbits, paranasal sinus, parotid glands, tongue and oropharynx, TMJ, chest, cardiac, cervical spine, thoracic spine, lumbo-sacral spine, brachial plexus, abdomen, (adrenal, kidney, liver, pancreas), pelvis (bladder, prostate, scrotum), shoulder, elbow, wrist/hand, hip, knee, and foot/ankle. Complex procedures including, but not limited to: MRA chest, abdomen, pelvis, aorta, carotid bifurcations, circle of Willis, vertebral/basilar arteries, liver, renal, spinal canal, MRV superior sagittal sinus, MR iliac veins, MR spectroscopy, MRCP, runoffs, prostate, cardiac, breast, biopsies, and MRI research exams. Interview patients about their medical history. Ensure that the patient screening process has been performed so that contraindicated materials and medical devices are kept outside the area of the magnet. At all times, the employee must be aware of the danger of ferrous objects causing bodily injury or even death when brought into proximity of the magnet. Special precautions must be taken to prevent unauthorized personnel from entering the magnet. The employee must always assure that the patient to be scanned is not wearing a pacemaker or have other internal or external ferrous objects that could cause injury when the patient is brought into proximity of the magnet. Coordinate with radiologists and physicists to determine the appropriate pulse sequences for each individualized patient examination. For uncontrollable patients, the employee must understand different ways to change the parameters to obtain an optimum image The employee is responsible for ensuring that the MRI lab complies with American College of Radiology Technologic Imaging Standards. He/she is responsible for insuring the correct technical work performance and practices of technologists who are not registered MRI technologists Registers patients and answers telephones. Performs reception duties by greeting patients, visitors, and employees in person and by telephone, and gathers and relays information. Enters the correct information to register patients upon arrival for exams performed throughout Radiology Service. Determine the need of the patients for escorts Schedules patients for examinations. Calls patients to coordinate their arrival for the examination and relay necessary preparations. Evaluates the nature of critical and emergency procedures and rearranges patient priorities to accommodate them. Maintains records of patients treated, examination performed, scans taken, etc. Status tracks examinations in the computer. Work Schedule: 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized"]
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.