Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (Vascular/Interventional Radiology)

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

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).
• 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).

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:
(1) 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. Technologists working in vascular interventional (VI), use specialized equipment to perform diagnostic angiographic procedures and complex vascular and nonvascular interventional and therapeutic procedures. This specialty requires additional knowledge of vascular systems and major vessel anatomy. The technologist must be knowledgeable in the specialized equipment employed for digital subtraction systems and interventional procedures. The technologist administers contrast media under the supervision of the staff radiologist and confers with the radiologist to establish requirements regarding contrast agents, vital signs, medications, and physiologic monitoring to perform procedures. IR technologist must be knowledgeable in digital imagining and PACS.

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. 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.

Preferred Experience: 1-3 years Vascular and/or Interventional Radiology service experience

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 incumbent requires one to be able to stand or walk for long periods of time. There is some bending and carrying of moderately heavy articles such as equipment or records. The technologist must be able to help lift and move patients to difficult positions on the radiographic table. The incumbent will be using multiple computer systems, using both mouse and keyboard Input, stressing the hand wrist. In the IR Suite the incumbent is considered an occupationally exposed individual working under the supervision of the radiation safety officer. Exposure in controlled areas must be kept at a level that would not allow the technologist to stay in the area during the entire working month without exceeding their maximum permissible dose (MPO). This is monitored by wearing a Dosimeter badge MPD for the whole body and other vital organs (gonads, red bone marrow, and lenses) shall not exceed S REMS times the age in years, minus 18. When required, it is mandatory that the technologists wear protective devices and shield patients according to the Facility Protocol.

Responsibilities:

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

This position independently works in two difficult and complex modalities: Vascular Surgery, Interventional Radiology (IR), Cardiology and is responsible for the clinical duties in these modalities. Works closely with radiologists, clinicians, procedural nurses, and trainee DRT technologists to assure optimum quality control, coordination of activities, and that high- quality diagnostic imaging results are achieved.

Major duties include:

• Performs Vascular-Interventional therapeutic treatments, which includes but is not limited to: Balloon angioplasty, vena cava filter placement, percutaneous nephrostomy, biliary drainage and stenting, embolization, stent-graft placement, liver embolization, abscess drainage, dialysis graft studies, which can Include angiogram, analysis and measurement of an occlusion, and determination of the size and type of balloon angioplasty and/or stent, uterine fibroid embolization, chest tube placement/check, PICC-line placement, tunneled dialysis catheter, placement of central venous lines - for long and short term venous access dialysis graft studies - for evaluation and angioplasty treatment of stenotic arteriovenous shunts In dialysis patients, thrombosis treatment.
• Utilizes ancillary software to analyze images for measurement of anatomy and to increase Image resolution to assist radiologists/ proceduralist in optimal patient diagnosis, Intervention, and care.
• Performs hybrid OR/IR procedures in conjunction with vascular surgery.
• Take call as scheduled to performs emergency interventional Radiology or Vascular procedures that require advanced imaging capability.
• Serves as a liaison between the radiologists/ Proceduralist and applications specialist, engineering, and field-service representatives, on facilitating software upgrades, service, and repairs for the Hybrid procedure suite.
• Maintains the quality assurance program of the hybrid suites, by performing tests of quality control as required and directed by the manufacturer.
• Performs quality radiographic images: positions patients in accordance the with established protocols and procedures to ensure the demonstration of the anatomy of clinical interest: ensures all studies and images are labeled correctly; ensures all studies are correctly registered prior to performing the procedure, ensures all patient data are correctly entered in the Picture Archive Computer System (PAC's); and ensures all post-procedural required data are entered into Vista upon completion of study.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00am - 3:30pm
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact V21CCOEEDRP@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).
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)
Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.
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 #: 07614F
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Salary : $417