Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist - Recruitment/Relocation Incentive Authorized

Summary

The Primary Purpose of the Position is: Primary duties of the incumbent will be to provide radiography imaging for general radiology. Performs a wide variety of diagnostic radiography exams under the direction of a physician. Operates all radiographic equipment including general diagnostic - and PACS related equipment as part of the diagnostic plan for patients in the Imaging Service.

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)
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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-5: Experience or Education
• None beyond the basic requirements
• GS-6: Experience or Education
• At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level or the successful completion of one full academic year of graduate education leading to a degree in radiography or other directly related field to diagnostic radiology/imaging
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of basic technique standards for minimum radiographic exposure
• Knowledge of anatomy and positioning
• Knowledge of all patient safety procedures
• Knowledge of radiographic producing equipment
• Ability to learn basic computer functions
• GS-7: Experience or Education
• At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level
• or the successful completion of one full academic year of graduate education leading to a degree in radiography or other directly related field to diagnostic radiology/imaging
• or successful completion of an advanced registry program - with certification - in addition to a 4-year baccalaureate degree program in radiography or other directly related field to diagnostic radiology/imaging
• Education may relate to the duties of a specific position or to the occupation but must be appropriate for the position being filled
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of the technical adequacy of the digital image - including the ability to adjust the image quality in the digital system
• Knowledge of different contrast material required for the requested study
• Knowledge of radiation protection standards - minimum radiographic exposure techniques - appropriate beam limitation to anatomical area - and employing lead shielding when performing standard radiographic and fluoroscopic procedures
• Knowledge of computed radiography - CR readers and Digital Imaging systems
• Knowledge of PACS and basic computer skills
• 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 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
• Preferred Experience: Produce radiographic studies that are used in medical diagnosis and interpreted by medical officers to locate injuries - foreign bodies - pathological conditions - or lesions within the body
• PACS-Ensures completion of examination by following proper procedures to transmit images to PACS immediately after the exam
• Demonstrates safe radiation work practice appropriate for the position
• Demonstrate and verbalize proper procedures
• Infection Control
• Understands - demonstrates appropriate hygiene methods and infection control
• Knowledge of calibration parameters and the ability to adjust as needed
• Knowledge of anatomy and physiology - and cross-sectional anatomy - recognizing unusual images - and determining proper positioning to best demonstrate areas of interest
• 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-05
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-05 to GS-08 Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 lbs and over) Heavy carrying (45 lbs and over) Straight puling (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

• VA Careers - Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist: https://youtube.com/embed/I-4ku5UMvWM Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties include but are not limited to: Reviews patients' prior images to obtain additional information to optimize radiographic techniques and positioning
• Receives patients - explains methods of procedure - positions patient - selects and sets technical and computer factors - sets up and adjusts accessory equipment - i.e. - O2 - suction - physiological monitors - etc
• Follows the appropriate protocol and parameters necessary for the required procedure and make exposures to record diagnostic images
• While working in each area of Radiology Service - the employee will participate in all aspects of the mission of the medical center - including clinical service - education as needed
• The employee will also assist the management team with the collection of statistical data needed to monitor pending studies to maintain adequate workflow
• Advises the radiologists of examinations' progress
• Notifies radiologist of significant images requiring their immediate attention and visualization while patients are undergoing examinations
• Converses with radiologist to establish requirements for nonstandard examinations
• Knows and understands the principles of radiography
• Observes the patient for possible adverse reaction and notifies the radiologist if such a reaction occurs
• Incumbent has a thorough knowledge of both normal and abnormal human anatomy
• Performs bedside examinations on the medical unit - intensive care units
• Required to recognize the significance of all structures that are always visualized on the monitor
• Informs the radiologist concerning significant findings and observation
• Checks results with the radiologist before discharging patient
• Regularly assist radiologists in the technical facets of fluoroscopy and radiography
• Processes exposed images utilizing computed radiography technique and archiving to the Picture Archive Communication System
• Participates in the evaluation - analysis - and formulation of radiographic image management
• Evaluates the nature of critical and emergency procedures and rearranges patient priorities to accommodate them
• Maintains records of patients treated - examinations performed - types of images taken and record of images in the Picture Archive Communications System - etc
• Archives studies and keeps records of examinations photographed and archived
• The incumbent maintains the Radiographic Suites in a clean and sanitary condition
• Maintains necessary supplies and determines the need for new or different supplies
• Maintains appropriate paperwork for record tracking of examination reports
• As required - technologist may be called back to duty under emergent or special need situations
• During these periods - no immediate supervisor is available - and he/she must be responsible for any contingencies that may arise in Radiology Service
• Incumbent is subject to irregular tours of duty when patient caring - scheduling and/or patient convenience necessitates coverage outside of normal hours of operation
• Employee will be given a minimum notice of two weeks prior to tour of duty changes
• On a regular recurring basis - technologist instructs student technologists on all aspects of radiology technology
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 7:30am-4:00pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): 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)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 #: 53104-F - 53105-F - 53106-F - 53107-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized