Career Center

Summary

Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist independently performs routine to moderately complex radiographic and computed tomography (CT) examinations that may require utilization of contrast materials and sterile techniques. The amount of time spent in each modality will be contingent upon the needs of the department. The incumbent will work a minimum of 30% in Computed Tomography.

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)
• 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
• English Language Proficiency
• DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(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)
• Grade Determinations: GS-9: This specialty modality requires specific knowledge 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 interrelationship 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 interest to the physician
• 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
• Assignments: 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
• Employees at this level are fully functional as an advanced DRT and carry out their assigned tasks independently
• DRTs at this level may have varying assignments including special and complex imaging procedures beyond the full performance level - clinical instruction - and basic QM type duties within the program
• Regardless of the nature of the specific assignment - the work must be of sufficient scope and complexity to meet the knowledge - skills - and abilities to perform at this level
• The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an 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
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: The physical demands of the work includes: Heavy lifting - 45 pounds and over
• moderate carrying - 15-44 pounds
• pushing up to 4 hours
• reaching above shoulder
• use of fingers - good dexterity (both hands required)
• prolonged walking - prolonged standing
• repeated bending
• ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20
• ability to distinguish basic colors
• hearing (aid permitted)
• speed in working
• and emotional stability.

Duties

• This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 15th - 2025
• The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be September 1st - 2025 - with subsequent cut-off dates on the 1st and 15th of each month
• Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled
• Evaluates critical and emergency procedures and prioritizes them to accommodate the situation
• The examinations are achieved by using x-ray equipment such as digital radiography (DR) - computed radiography (CR) - computed tomography (CT) - general radiography (conventional/analog) - fluoroscopy - portable radiographic and other devices for the purpose of producing high quality diagnostic images to provide appropriate diagnosis and treatment of identified abnormalities
• The amount of time spent in each modality will be contingent upon the needs of the department
• The incumbent will work a minimum of30% in Computed Tomography and as much as l00%
• The incumbent will work between 1-70% in General Radiography
• Duties or Functions of this position include but are not limited to: Responsible to the radiologists and supervisor for the quality and quantity of radiographic exams performed in order to assure a high level of acceptability of radiographs while minimizing patient exposure and reducing costs
• Performs routine to moderately complex radiographic procedures that may require utilization of contrast materials and sterile techniques including but not limited to general radiography - computed tomography - etc
• Assist radiologists or other professional staff in the performance of fluoroscopic examinations (i.e
• UGI - BE - IVP - etc.) Prepares contrast materials under the direction of the radiologist for the purpose of performing exams requiring injectable solutions such as IVP - computed tomography with contrast - cystograms - cholangiograms - fistulagrams - as well as other oral and rectal exams of the GI tract
• These procedures require the use of needles - syringes - renografin - barium - enema bags - drinking cups - etc
• Improper use or administration of the contrast materials runs the risk of patient mortality
• Therefore - it is essential that those who prepare and administer contrast materials possess a thorough understanding of its usage and contraindications
• This requires continual alertness to the patient's condition and other disorders
• The alertness is essential for the recognition of potential patient reactions
• Reactions require an immediate response to minimize harm and ensure patient safety
• Therefore - CPR certification and demonstrated venipuncture competency is a requirement for this position
• Determines technical factors - positioning - etc. - to produce a high quality diagnostic and/or computed tomography image and confers with the radiologists to determine the requirements for non-standard exams that do not conform to established standard protocols
• Notifies the physician of scans requiring their immediate attention
• Performs advanced image manipulations and/or reconstructions on workstations as directed by the radiologist - healthcare professional or standard protocol
• Properly identifies the patient and the image
• Uses left - right and other markers when appropriate
• This is essential so that mistaken identity does not occur
• The technologist must be certain that the patient ID band (if applicable) and the request are identical
• Confirms patient identity by verbally confirming patient name and social security number and/or date of birth
• Performs radiographic exams at the bedside and/or in the operating/surgical suites
• Responsible for providing quality diagnostic radiographs for the surgeons and/or other professional staff on patients that are unable to receive imaging services within the radiology department due to patient incapacity or surgical requirement
• Use of portable x-ray equipment - mobile intensifier units and other equipment may be required to complete the requested procedure(s)
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00am - 4:30pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 30350-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized