Summary

The Fargo VA Health Care System is recruiting for an intermittent (as needed) Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (Computerized Tomography) for the Diagnostic Imaging Service Line. ***Salary noted is based on a full-time schedule. Actual salary will be pro-rated based on hours worked.***

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) - 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)
• English Language Proficiency
• DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d)
• Grade Determinations: GS-9 Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist 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 - which is defined as: Checking system for operation and assess acceptable performance based on established guidelines
• Working knowledge of calibration parameters and the ability to make adjustments as needed
• Working knowledge of patient's clinical record - diagnosis - and laboratory results
• Monitoring patient's physiologic changes during the procedure and keep the radiologist informed
• Using tact - diplomacy - and courtesy in dealings with the customer base - patients - staff - family - visitors - and volunteers
• Working 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 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
• All qualifying experience you possess must be clearly described in your application package
• We will not make assumptions when reviewing applications
• Failure to demonstrate your experience in your resume may result in disqualification
• It is strongly recommended that you write to each KSA in your application package
• 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-9. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-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

• The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers
• This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest
• As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care - you will operate in a model with three core elements - seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran
• This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community
• This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being
• This Advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (DRT) - Computed Tomography (CT) - position is assigned to the Fargo VA Health Care System Imaging Service/Computed Tomography department
• FHCS is a level two complexity level - providing research - servicing ten CBOC's - emergency department and in-patient facility
• The Advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (DRT) - Computed Tomography Technologist - employee at this level is fully functional as an Advanced DRT and can carry out the assigned tasks independently
• Performs 100% CT exams to include complex CT Exams
• This specialty modality requires specific knowledgeable of cross-sectional human anatomy and its application in spiral - and/or - multi-slice computer tomography and peripheral vascular examinations
• This Advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (DRT) - Computed Tomography (CT) - position is assigned to the Fargo VA Health care system - Radiology Service
• Computed Tomography section
• The Advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (DRT) - Computed Tomography Technologist - employee at this level is fully functional as an Advanced DRT and can carry out the assigned tasks independently
• The incumbent provides intermittent coverage for the facility for coverage as needed
• This subspecialty requires advanced ARRT certification in Computed Tomography (CT)
• 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 workstation 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 particular interest to the physician
• Functional requirements include - but are not limited to: Technologist meets the requirements set forth in Fargo VA Health Care System policy for BLS
• BLS Certification is maintained on a bi-annual basis and always complies
• Accurately operates a wide variety of imaging equipment to obtain examinations of acceptable quality - utilizing the least amount of radiation to obtain quality imaging for diagnosis and localization purposes
• Technologist works under the supervision of the Section Supervisor and/or Lead Technologist and rotates all responsibilities within the CT section
• He/she works independently on most exams but confers with Radiologists and Section Supervisor and/or Lead Technologist on more difficult problems
• Work is spot-checked for achievement of objectives
• Knowledge of cross-sectional anatomy and physiology including location - appearance - and functioning of the major and minor systems susceptible to radiographic illumination - and knowledge of changes to systems and organs caused by common medical and surgical diseases
• Performs all aspects of CT imaging to include: Head - Sinus - Maxofacial - Orbits - Temporal bones - TMJ - Neck - CT enterography - CT urography - Chest - Abdomen - Pelvis Extremities - soft tissue - and Multi-Planar Reformats CT and Angiographic studies when requested and/or when part of a standard procedure
• Performs fluoroscopy in surgery environment
• Performs complex diagnostic and portable radiographic examinations within the facility for in- patients and the emergency department
• Incumbent will work with the radiologist/physician as a member of the surgical /CT team
• Work Schedule: Intermittent (as needed) Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required