Career Center

Summary

The purpose of the work is to acquire sophisticated CT images for clinical diagnosis or intervention based on history provided for each patient. The work involves independent performance of many types of CT scans under the direction of a staff radiologist. The process requires the technologist to recognize the attributes of exams of unacceptable quality and adjust scan techniques - patient positioning - or acquire additional scans to achieve optimum visualization of the body part of concern.

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)
• 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: Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist - GS-9 Experience
• At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level - GS-08 - directly related to the position being filled that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level
• Employees at this grade level serve as staff DRTs 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
• 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
• 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
• Preferred Experience: Certification in CT through ARRT Previous experience with scanning CTs Proficient in attaining IV access for contrast administration 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-09
• Physical Requirements: The work potentially requires moderately long periods of standing and walking
• Positioning of patients who are unconscious or disabled may require considerable effort and working in awkward positions
• Heavy lifting (45 lbs and over) of totally incapacitated patients is done only with the help of other employees or with patient moving equipment
• Heavy Carrying (45 lbs and over)
• Straight Pulling (up to 1 hour)
• Pushing (1 - 2 hours)
• Reaching above shoulder
• Use of fingers
• Both hands required
• Walking (up to 3 hours)
• Standing (up to 3 hours)
• Repeated bending (up to 1 hour)
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Near vision correctable at 13" to 16"
• Hearing (aid permitted).

Duties

• Major duties include - but not limited to: Performs CT exams per organizational approved standard protocols or protocols determined by a staff radiologist
• Determines the required technical factors and machine settings to safely satisfy specific exam requirements
• Prepares rectal or oral contrast media and administers this contrast media to patients within the Imaging Service prior to performing their scan per either modified or approved standard protocols under a radiologist's directive
• Prepares and administers intravenous iodinated contrast media to patients during their scan per modified or approved standard protocols under a radiologist's directive
• Recognize the signs and symptoms of a contrast reaction and knows what steps to take in the event of a contrast reaction
• Demonstrate the appropriate techniques to gather relevant information from the medical record in relation to the exam performed
• Monitor patient's physiologic changes during the procedure and keep the radiologist informed
• Responsible for correctly initiating transfer of obtained CT images to the organization's Picture Archival and Communication System (PACS) and confirming successful transfer of these images following completion of each acquired CT examination
• Following the conclusion of each patient's exam(s) - enters a detailed Imaging Procedure Note in the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS)
• Obtains emergent (STAT) serum creatinine and eGFR on patients by notifying provider of necessity and ensuring required lab values are available prior to the exam
• Knowledge of calibration parameters and the ability to adjust as needed
• Performs daily QC tests on the CT equipment - using an appropriate CT phantom as required
• Rearranges the exam schedule under the guidance of the CT section supervisor to ensure that critical patients are scanned - or critical exams are performed in the most expeditious manner
• Notifies a radiologist of any recognized significant abnormality that may require immediate attention while patient is undergoing the examination
• Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Work Schedule: Monday - Friday
• 7:30am - 4:00pm 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
• Functional Statement #: FS000000 / Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (CT) Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized