Career Center

Summary

The Advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (DRT) - Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MR) - position is assigned to the Medical Imaging - Radiology Service - Magnetic Resonance Imaging section within the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center. The MRI Technologist 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 and carries out the assigned tasks independently.

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
• English Language Proficiency
• DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d)
• 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: Applicants must have 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).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)
• 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: Advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (MR) - GS-0647-10 Experience: 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
• AND - Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills and Abilities: In addition - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 1
• Knowledge of radiation protection standards - devices and techniques - including concepts of accumulated dosage - dose monitoring - and genetic changes
• 2
• Ability to utilize advanced imaging software that supports complex imaging programs and recognize changes in equipment and procedures that might result in increased exposures - and ability to recommend methods to prevent such exposures
• 3
• Knowledge of basic physics including concepts of energy - electric power - magnetic fields - and properties of X-ray - to understand the operation of the equipment
• 4
• Knowledge and skill in positioning of patients for a wide variety of highly complex imaging (CT - MRI - IR - ultrasound - mammography) studies
• 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
• Advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist: Employees are trained to work in one or more difficult and complex modalities performing procedures related to these modalities as well as performing general diagnostic procedures
• At this grade level - any assignment in a single modality must demonstrate significant complexity
• Such assignments are unique - perhaps with expert specialization in complex areas of radiologic technology - Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) regulations - and intermediate QM type duties within the program
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MR): This specialty modality requires additional knowledge of superconducting magnets - the physics of superconducting magnets - and how they relate to the human anatomy in medical imaging
• The technologist must be educated in the safety factors governing a magnetic environment that patients - visitors - and equipment enter
• The practitioner must have specialized knowledge of cross sectional anatomy and how it relates to the soft tissues and vessels of the human body
• The technologist must also have specialized knowledge in the radio-frequency surface coils required for each specific anatomical area to be imaged
• [This assignment may also perform basic magnetic resonance safety program duties
• Technologists must be knowledgeable in contrast media - power injectors - and PACS
• DRT assignments that include performance of independent duties in this subspecialty require advanced ARRT (MR) 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 GS-10
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-10
• Physical Requirements: 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
• Must have the ability to stand and work while wearing a lead apron for possibly long periods of time.

Duties

• Responsible for reading - understanding - and following all Jesse Brown VA Medical Center and Radiology policies and procedures and maintaining compliance in all requirements essential to maintaining their position
• Responsible for assuming various rotating schedules as determined by the Operations Manager - Radiology Service
• Performs all aspects of MRI imaging head - neck - spine - abdomen - pelvis - musculoskeletal - special imaging procedures such as Arthrograms - MRA/MRV angiography exams utilizing specialized sequences to visualize the anatomy and pathology necessary for diagnosis
• Responsible for maintenance of Level 1 and Level 2 MRI safety training
• Responsible for screening patients - care givers - medical providers - and all others who enter the MRI suite for contraindications for entering Zone IV
• Assures that MRI patients are screened in advance for any contraindicating conditions including renal function for patients requiring contrast agents per Radiology service policy
• Responsible for explaining exams and risks to competent patients so the patient understands what is to be done as well as what hazards - if any - are possible
• Responsible for operating and maximizing utilization of a wide variety of highly sophisticated imaging equipment including but not limited to Power Injectors - 3D Reconstruction Software - Siemens 1.5T Symphony and Siemens 3T Skyra MRI scanners
• Determines technical factors such as repetition time - TE - bandwidth - field of view - slice thickness - etc
• to produce high quality images and satisfy requirements of MR exams
• Maintain competence in Venipuncture and refer to the Radiology Service procedure manual for guidelines on MRI Safety - Administration of Contrast Media - and all other relevant Radiology policies and procedures
• Prepares contrast materials under the direction of the Radiologist that are used in MRI - to include general - specialized - MR Angiography - and all other exams
• Improper use or administration of the contrast materials run the risk of patient mortality
• Assure that appointments are scheduled/rescheduled within the appropriate time frames as outlined in hospital directives or memoranda
• Receives and interprets all radiology requests for accuracy - appropriateness
• date desired and maintains a thorough knowledge of the ordering process in CPRS
• Reviews imaging orders screening information for accuracy - noting and researching all questionable information prior to contacting the patient or performing the exam
• Responsible for stocking and inventory of all supplies - notifying Supervisor when supplies are not available and monitoring expiration dates to ensure all items are within compliance
• Properly identifies patient images by using the HIS/RIS patient identification lists - R & L markers - correct amount and type of contrast administered - timelines for any timed examinations - patient position and all other identifying markers for that view/scan
• Properly identifies areas of interest on all images - if applicable
• This is essential so that mistaken identity of patient images does not occur
• Promptly reports all accidents and notifies supervisor of unsafe/unhealthful conditions in the workplace
• Attends scheduled training sessions and participates in facility or service-level safety promotions as directed by supervisor
• Performs other assigned duties
• Work Schedule: MONDAY - FRIDAY - 2:30PM - 11:00PM or 3:30PM - MIDNIGHT SHIFT ROTATION ON CALL/WEEKEND Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 05768F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized