Summary

The incumbent is to operate and monitor commonly used equipment to perform routine and advanced positioning and imaging exams on all patients. They include but are not limited to bone - spine - and joint imaging and fluoroscopic procedures on ambulatory patients in a clinic setting and/or operating room setting under the supervision of and as requested by a physician.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

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 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)
• TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED 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
• COPY OF CERTIFICATION REQUIRED Loss of Credential
• An employee in this occupation who fails to obtain certification within two years - or who fails to maintain the required certification must be removed from the occupation - which may also result in termination of employment
• 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-8 Experience
• At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Ability to check system for operation and assess acceptable performance based on established guidelines
• (b) Knowledge of calibration parameters and the ability to make adjustments as needed
• (c) Knowledge of patient's clinical record - diagnosis - and laboratory results
• (d) Ability to monitor patient's physiologic changes during the procedure and keep the radiologist informed
• (e) Skill in using tact - diplomacy - and courtesy in dealings with the customer base - patients - staff - family - visitors - and volunteers
• (f) Knowledge of anatomy and physiology - and cross-sectional anatomy - recognizing unusual images - and determining proper positioning to best demonstrate areas of interest
• Preferred Experience: Previous pain management experience
• 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-8. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 lbs and over) - moderate carrying (15-44 lbs) - straight pulling (1+ hours) - pushing (2+ hours) - reaching above shoulder - use of fingers - both hands required - walking and standing (4+ hours) - kneeling (1+ hour) repeated bending (3+ hours) - climbing - use of arms and legs - ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously - near and far vision correctable - both eyes required - depth perception - ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors
• Environmental factors: being outside and inside - dry atmospheric conditions - exposure to fumes - smoke - or gases - electrical energy - slippery or uneven walking surfaces - working around objects or vehicles - working with hands in water - exposure to vibration - working closely with others - working alone - protracted or irregular hours of work - working with hazardous medications - exposure to bodily fluids - exposure to radiation.

Duties

• The incumbent operates a variety of sophisticated radiation producing machines and ultrasound machines used to examine internal structures on human patients
• Duties will include: Applies patient positioning technique - radiation exposure protocols - and adjusting equipment controls to set exposure factors to obtain useful diagnostic images
• Applies radiation safety practices to minimize radiation exposure to patients - staff - and self by appropriate use of lead shields and collimation/distance management
• Adheres to the principles of ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) when performing exams
• Wears film badge to monitor exposure
• Effectively communicates with patients to assess identity using 2 identifiers - to discuss the exam and determine the best approach for the examination - to assess the patient's mobility - to create a level of comfort in patient preparation for exams - and to give specific intelligible instructions
• Varies exam procedures as needed to compensate for patient's individual medical conditions and body habitus
• Uses patient lifts - moveable tables - weight bearing stands - and wheelchairs to safely position and move patients
• Effectively communicates with coworkers to organize and execute the daily work of the pain clinic and with the interventionalist to provide meaningful images for the procedures and treatment of patients
• Demonstrates and maintains current knowledge - continued education - and skills appropriate to care for interventional pain management procedures
• Manages quality programs such as lead apron checks - peer review coordination - radiation badge monitoring - etc
• Performs necessary quality control (QC) - maintenance - and start-up/shut-down procedures
• Ensure operation of radiology equipment by completing preventative maintenance requirements
• following manufacturer's instructions
• troubleshooting malfunctions
• and calling for repairs
• Uses available computers and software conduct assignments
• Coordinates installation - validation - and training on a variety of software packages
• Trains staff in how to and participates in keeping the reusable medical equipment (RMEs) properly cleaned and conditioned
• Lead DRT reviews records and assures accuracy and completeness
• Works with supply chain staff to maintain critical supplies such as clean linens and gowns and RME cleaning supplies - etc
• Troubleshoots equipment problems - contacts necessary support such as Information Technology (IT) - Vista Imaging - Bio-Medical - PACS Administrator - etc
• Reports corrective action plans to the Supervisor
• Uses proper identifiers and markers on images and may enter appropriate notes into the patient exam record
• Prepares contrast (and other procedural) materials used under the direction of the interventional physician
• Edits and when necessary - registers patients in the computerized Radiology Information System (RIS) as well as the work list management portion of the HIS-RIS interface
• Understands the principals of the use of PACS
• Uses these electronic methods to complete procedures - assign accurate patient information to studies then electronically send images for interpretation
• Participates in writing - editing - and producing service and station procedures and policies
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30am-4:00pm Compressed/Flexible: Compressed tour available - with supervisor approval
• Telework: Not authorized
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized