What are the responsibilities and job description for the Advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist - Interventional Radiography position at Iowa City VA Health Care System?
As an Advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist, duties and responsibilities are carried out within the Imaging and Operating Room Departments of the Iowa City VA Health Care System. The Advanced DRT at this level leads lower-level DRTs assigned to the specialty area and is accountable to the Medical Imaging Supervisor- Interventional Radiology or his/her designee. The Advanced DRT also participates in diagnostic assessments and evaluations in collaboration with Clinicians.
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:
(1) 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.
(2) DRTs that require a certification only at higher grade levels must meet the certification requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels.
(3) DRTs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.
(4) DRTs initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or certification that meet all of the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.
(5) Employees who are retained as a DRT under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry as a DRT.
Grade Determinations:
GS-10 Advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist
Experience: At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-9, directly related to the position being filled that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level. These include: 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.
AND
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs:
i. Knowledge of radiation protection standards, devices and techniques, including concepts of accumulated dosage, dose monitoring, and genetic changes.
ii. 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.
iii. Knowledge of basic physics including concepts of energy, electric power, magnetic fields, and properties of x-ray, to understand the operation of the equipment.
iv. Knowledge and skill in positioning of patients for a wide variety of highly complex imaging (CT, MRI, IR, ultrasound, mammography) studies.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
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.
Work Schedule: 08:00 to 16:30; Monday through Friday
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
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.
- 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.
- Certification: All applicants must be certified in general radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology, Radiography (ARRT) (R).
- English Language Proficiency: DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d).
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:
(1) 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.
(2) DRTs that require a certification only at higher grade levels must meet the certification requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels.
(3) DRTs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.
(4) DRTs initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or certification that meet all of the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.
(5) Employees who are retained as a DRT under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry as a DRT.
Grade Determinations:
GS-10 Advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist
Experience: At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-9, directly related to the position being filled that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level. These include: 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.
AND
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs:
i. Knowledge of radiation protection standards, devices and techniques, including concepts of accumulated dosage, dose monitoring, and genetic changes.
ii. 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.
iii. Knowledge of basic physics including concepts of energy, electric power, magnetic fields, and properties of x-ray, to understand the operation of the equipment.
iv. Knowledge and skill in positioning of patients for a wide variety of highly complex imaging (CT, MRI, IR, ultrasound, mammography) studies.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
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.
Responsibilities:
Major duties include, but are not limited to:- Assist in maintaining control of the section by coordinating, organizing and executing the workload while identifying efficient workflow patterns within the department. Trains new Technologist, students and staff on procedures, equipment operation and radiation safety practices.
- Performs diagnostic and interventional procedures not limited to visceral, peripheral and cardiac angiography, thrombolysis and embolization requiring the use of needles, syringes, wires, catheters, balloons, stents and contrast mediums. The Advanced DRT must have knowledge of contrast mediums and their effects and adverse reactions. The incumbent works closely with the other Technologists, Radiologists, Clinicians, and clerical staff to assure that optimum quality control, efficient coordination of services, high quality diagnostic exam results, and patient satisfaction are achieved.
- Performs scrub and circulating duties while assisting Physicians and is very knowledgeable in sterile technique and setup according to AORN standards. The Technologist uses specialized equipment employed for digital subtraction systems to perform diagnostic angiographic procedures, complex vascular and nonvascular interventional and therapeutic procedures requiring additional knowledge of vascular systems and major vessel anatomy.
- The Technologist interprets the requests or instructions from the Radiologist or Clinician, receives assignments for a variety of difficult examinations and can also work independently. The Technologist understands and carries out the requests made by providers or seeks assistance from the Supervisor or Radiologist when an uncommon, unique, or new procedure is requested.
- Performs image reconstruction and post processing procedures on advanced workstations as directed by the Radiologist or as part of a given study while maintaining proficiency in reconstruction techniques.
- Reviews new developments in the field and recommends to the Supervisor those that would improve the operation of the section.
- The Technologist is responsible for ensuring that they have a proper working knowledge of the PACS imaging archive systems. This includes ensuring all images are transmitted correctly. The Technologist administers contrast media under the supervision of the staff Clinician and confers with the Clinician to establish requirements with reference to contrast agents such as pertinent lab values, medications and patient hemodynamic status.
- Has expertise in data acquisition, storage, rearrangement and retrieval. Independently operates programs used to analyze a variety of cardiac and vascular functions such as flow reserve, ejection fraction calculations and stenosis measurement.
- The incumbent provides technical assistance and is responsible for operating equipment with Clinicians during all procedures including but not limited to intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP), intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), instant wave-free ratio (iFR), mechanical thrombectomy, angioplasty, stenting, coiling, pacemaker and ICD placement and EP procedures such as radio frequency and cryotherapy ablation.
- Performs other related duties as assigned or as directed by the section Supervisor.
- Maintains, operates, trouble-shoots and reports equipment failures as appropriate.
- Maintains effective working relationships and communications with patients, faculty, staff, students and the public.
- Shares on call responsibilities.
- Demonstrates acceptance of responsibility, pride in work performed, and flexibility in acceptance of assignments while consistently maintaining professional behavior and appearance.
Work Schedule: 08:00 to 16:30; Monday through Friday
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Salary : $92,815