Summary

The incumbent's principal responsibilities are to independently perform general radiographic technology, fluoroscopy, and portables (R) , Computed Technology (CT), and Dexa Scan procedures at above the full performance level for the patients of the VA NWI-Health Care System as well as other duties necessary for functionality of the imaging department.

Qualifications

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)
• 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).] 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
• 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
• Physical Requirements
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• English Language Proficiency
• DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(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: In addition to the basic requirements for appointment, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates: Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist, GS-9 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
• Experience includes: ability to check system for operation and assess acceptable performance based on established guidelines, knowledge of calibration parameters and the ability to make adjustments as needed, knowledge of patient's clinical record, diagnosis, and laboratory results, ability to monitor patient's physiologic changes during the procedure and keep the radiologist informed, skill in using tact, diplomacy, and courtesy in dealings with the customer base, patients, staff, family, visitors, and volunteers, and knowledge of anatomy and physiology, and cross-sectional anatomy, recognizing unusual images, and determining proper positioning to best demonstrate areas of interest Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 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
• Knowledge of pre-procedural, procedural, and post-procedural care of patients
• Specialized Assignments General Radiologic Technology (R)
• DRTs perform procedures and examinations in hospitals or clinics under the direction of radiologists and other medical officers
• The objective of the examinations and procedures is to produce radiographic studies that are used in medical diagnosis and interpreted by medical officers to locate injuries, foreign bodies, pathological conditions, or lesions within the body
• They prepare and administer contrast media and medications in accordance with State and Federal regulations
• All DRTs must be knowledgeable in computerized and digital radiography (CR/DR), and picture archiving and communications systems (PACS)
• Computed Tomography (CT)
• 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 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 interest to the physician
• DRT assignments that include performance of independent duties in this subspecialty require advanced ARRT certification
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is 9
• Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position
• Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

Duties

• VA Careers - Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist: https://youtube.com/embed/I-4ku5UMvWM Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf General Radiologic Technology (R): DRTs perform procedures and examinations in hospitals or clinics under the direction of radiologist and other medical officers
• The objective of the examinations and procedures is to produce radiographic studies that are used in medical diagnosis and interpreted by medical officers to locate injuries, foreign bodies, pathological conditions, or lesions within the body
• They prepare and administer contrast media and medications in accordance with State and Federal regulations
• All DRTs must be knowledgeable in digital radiology (DR) and picture archiving and communications systems (PACS)
• Computed Tomography (CT): This is a specialty modality that requires specific knowledge of cross-sectional human anatomy and its application in spiral, and/or multi-slice computer tomography
• Computerized tomography exams performed on outpatients, inpatients, intensive care patients, and emergency department patients, include scans performed without and with the use of intravenous contrast, CT angiography, 3-D reconstruction scans, drainages, biopsies, and peripheral vascular examinations
• Duties included: - Transfers patients from stretcher or wheelchair to radiographic or CT exam table
• Assists with the transporting of patients to and from other departments of the hospital as needed
• - Knowledge of ultrasound machine operation, sterile prep of probes and cleaning probes
• - Provides training to student radiographers from affiliated programs and facilitates the attainment of established program objectives
• - Prepares oral, rectal, and injectable contrast and other contrast materials as necessary
• - Inserts peripheral intravenous catheters for the administration of IV contrast and removes the IV post procedure when required
• - Administer contrast material under the direction of the radiologist, according to protocols
• - Utilizes PICC lines, central lines, mid-lines, and infusaports per device guidelines for the administration of IV contrast
• - Follows prescribed protocols required to independently perform simple to complex procedures
• - Observes patients during procedures and reports complications or unusual events
• - Processes images with digital image acquisition and processing
• - Performs computer work and required forms associated with patient exams, credit of patient visits, complications and /or quality improvement activities of the Imaging Service Line
• - Provides excellent customer service to patient during all interactions
• - Works with escort, ward secretaries, nursing personnel, OR Staff, etc to ensure proper hand-off of patients between departments/units and unified coordination of care
• - Maintains a clean work area and adequate level of supplies within the assigned rooms
• - Practices hospital safety, radiation safety, infection control and universal precautions in accordance with age and/or gender specific departmental procedures
• - Responsible for the quality assurance of images (positions/label/technique/network information) prior to transmission to the PACS network
• - Assists in transmission of images to off-site locations
• - Performs a variety of department quality assurance/quality control duties
• - Provides education to patients and their families on Imaging procedures
• - Reception and clerical duties related to patient care including, but not limited to management of images to outside with appointment information, preparing schedules for future appointments
• - Basic knowledge of functionality of PACS system
• - Incumbent is part of a mandatory rotational open shift list for off hour coverage and weekends
• - Incumbent will be assigned Holiday Shifts based upon a rotational schedule
• Work Schedule: Combination of 8, 10, 12 hour overnight tours Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases 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) 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
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA 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
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized