Summary

The Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (DRT) is responsible for the performance and coordination of diagnostic radiology examinations and procedures at VA Northern California Stockton OPC - Radiology department.

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
• 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
• Exception for Non-Certified - Entry Level Candidates
• This exception only applies at the GS-5 entry level technician
• For grade levels above the entry level - the candidate must be certified
• 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: 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
• Physical Requirements
• A physical examination will be conducted based on the physical requirements of the position
• English Language Proficiency
• Diagnostic Radiologic Technologists candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f)
• GRADE REQUIREMENTS Creditable Experience: Knowledge of Current Radiologic Technology Practice
• To be creditable - experience must have demonstrated possession of the knowledge - skills - abilities - and other characteristics (also referred to as clinical competencies) associated with current radiologic technology practice
• This may have been evidenced by the equivalent of one year of active practice - which is paid or nonpaid employment as a DRT as defined by ARRT
• Quality of Experience
• Experience is only creditable if it was earned after completion of the basic certification requirements identified above
• Experience as a graduate DRT is creditable provided the candidate functioned as a DRT and subsequently passed the certification examination
• Part-Time Experience
• Part-time experience as a DRT is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time work week
• For example - a DRT would receive one week of full- time credit for each two weeks of half-time work
• independent duties in this subspecialty require advanced ARRT (MRI) certification
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for appointment - the following criteria must be met for the GS-8 level
• Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist - 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: 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 techniques for gathering relevant information from the medical record - significant others - and health care providers
• 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
• Knowledge of anatomy and physiology - and cross-sectional anatomy - recognizing unusual images - and determining proper positioning to best demonstrate areas of interest
• References: VA Handbook 5005/119 PART II APPENDIX G25 - December 13 - 2019 The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-8.

Duties

• This DRT position is at the full performance level
• Candidates at this grade level must be qualified to independently provide services in specialized areas of radiologic technology and/or general radiologic technology services with only occasional oversight or direction for highly complex issues
• Assigned Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: Performs a variety of difficult radiographic examinations with the Diagnostic Imaging Department
• Oversees the daily flow of exams to assure that patients will be seen in a timely manner
• Maintains effective control of Radiology area by coordinating - planning - organizing and executing the work potential to expedite workflow patterns within the departments
• Responsible for creating - implementing - collecting - critiquing - and preparing all written and oral reports of up-to-date data is necessary for the completion of continuous and/or problem focused quality assurance
• Keeps abreast of technological advances in the fields of radiology and incorporates these advances in the fields of Radiology and Cardiology and these advances
• Provides training and in service programs to aid in the instruction of nurses and physicians on procedures - operation and or maintenance of new and excisting medical equipment
• Provides training and inservice programs to aid in the instruction of nurses and physicians
• Troubleshoots equipment used in diagnostic radiologic procedures and can make minor repairs and/or adjustments
• Receives and interprets all radiology requests
• Practices radiation safety to reduce exposure to patients - staff and self
• Coordinates all activities of radiology department with Sacramento Radiology department to provide maximum patient care
• Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday - 0800-1630 Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required