Career Center

Summary

The Supervisory Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (DRT) position is assigned to the Salisbury VA Health Care System - Radiology Service - General Imaging section within the WG "Bill" Hefner VAMC. The incumbent supervises the General Imaging Technologists of the Radiology Service to assure optimum quality control - efficient coordination of activities and high-quality technical production.

Qualifications

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
• 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)
• Grandfathering Provision: 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 Determinations: Experience- For the GS-09 level - 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
• 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
• Supervisory Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist- The incumbent functions as a supervisor for a group of DRTs at the full performance level and below - which may include support staff
• The incumbent advises employees of the performance requirements of their positions - informs them of their progress in meeting the requirements - and prepares formal evaluations of employee performance
• The incumbent conducts corrective interviews with employees - referring disciplinary problems to higher levels of management
• resolves informal complaints of employees
• and deals with union representatives as appropriate
• Supervisory DRTs plan and direct programs at medical centers and/or satellite outpatient clinics and have full supervisory responsibility
• Assignments at this level include but are not limited to: assigning and evaluating the work of subordinate staff
• resolving complex problems to ensure patient services are met
• evaluating new products - equipment - and systems to make recommendations for improved operations
• identifying educational or training needs
• recommending final decisions on selections
• evaluating performance and recommending disciplinary action when necessary
• The incumbent has professional responsibility for planning and directing the DRTs activities and is responsible for extracting and analyzing data to provide reports in support of performance measures to senior management
• The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment-specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): i
• *Ability to organize work - set priorities - delegate tasks and responsibilities
• ii
• Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with employees - team leaders - and managers
• iii
• *Skill in assessing qualifications and abilities of current and prospective employees
• iv
• *Ability to consult with radiologist to develop standard and non-standard treatment/exam protocols
• v
• Ability to independently perform general and specialized diagnostic radiologic procedures in advanced levels of complex treatment situations
• Preferred Experience: The candidate should have at a minimum of eight years of experience as an ARRT registered technologist
• The candidate should have a working knowledge of overall radiology department operations
• The candidate should be familiar with assigning work - creating work schedules - generating statistical reports and have a strong background in computer programs - i.e. - Word - Excel
• References: VA Handbook 5005/119 - PART II - APPENDIX G25The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9. Physical Requirements: The work of the Supervisory Diagnostic Radiological Technologist is primarily sedentary but may involve some bending - lifting up to 25 pounds - prolonged walking and standing.

Duties

• The incumbent has first line responsibility for making and implementing the technological decisions regarding Diagnostic Service that directly affect patient care
• The incumbent will teach - guide - and direct the image analysis and quality control functions of the service
• He/she will be a highly visible Supervisory Technologist responsible for one-on-one instructional function to achieve excellence in image productivity prior to diagnostic interpretation by staff and resident radiologists and physicians
• He/she serves as a radiology management representative and reports directly to management on the technological operations of the service if so - directed by the Chief Technologist and is designated alternate during periods of the Chief Tech's absence
• The incumbent is responsible for the overall supervision of the professional technological staff of the Service that encompasses a diversified field of technologists performing separate and distinct radiology procedures using a variety of acceptable skills and techniques
• The incumbent establishes and implements policies and procedures for the technological services within Diagnostics Service
• The incumbent's management of the technical resources of Diagnostics Service ultimately affects the ability of the Service to carry out its function - i.e. - patient care - education - and research
• The incumbent is responsible for the basic supervisory duties - such as approving leave - assigning and reviewing work - assuring that production and accuracy requirements are met - evaluating performance - interviewing applicants for jobs - and making recommendations - discipline - providing training - counseling employees - and resolving complaints
• Work Schedule: Full Time - Monday-Friday - 0730-1600 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
• Financial Disclosure Report: Not required