Career Center

Summary

Recruitment/Relocation Incentives May Be Authorized for Highly Qualified Candidates The incumbent's principal responsibilities are to independently perform general radiographic technology (R) and computed tomography (CT) procedures for the patients of the Sioux Falls VA Health Care System as well as other duties necessary for functionality of the Imaging department.

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
• [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).] 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
• 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: In addition to the basic requirements for appointment - the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates: Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist - GS-9 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
• Regardless of the nature of the specific assignment - the work must be of sufficient scope and complexity to meet the knowledge - skills - and abilities to perform at this level
• 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
• Examples of experience includes: checking systems for operation and assessing acceptable performance based on established guidelines - calibrating parameters and the ability to make adjustments as needed - knowledge of patient's clinical record - diagnosis and laboratory results - monitoring patient's physiologic changes during the procedure and keeping the radiologist informed - using tact - diplomacy and courtesy in dealing with the customer base - patients - staff - family - visitors and volunteers and knowledge of anatomy and physiology and cross-sectional anatomy - recognizing unusual images - and determining proper positioning to best demonstrate areas of interest 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: Ultrasound Certification and/or experience is desired Specialized Assignments: General Radiologic Technology (R)
• DRTs perform procedures and examinations in hospitals or clinics under the direction of radiologists and other medical officers
• The objective of the examinations and procedures is to 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
• They prepare and administer contrast media and medications in accordance with State and Federal regulations
• All DRTs must be knowledgeable in computerized [and digital radiography (CR/DR) -] and picture archiving and communications systems (PACS)
• Computed Tomography (CT)
• 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.]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
• Preferred Experience: Ultrasound Certification and/or experience is desired 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-9. 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.

Duties

• VA Careers - Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist: https://youtube.com/embed/I-4ku5UMvWM Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Duties Include but are not limited to the following: Examinations include but are not limited to: general radiographic procedures including portable - fluoroscopy - and c-arm procedures
• CT imaging including the chest - abdomen - pelvis - head - extremities - and neck
• limited interventional procedures in conjunction with the radiologist including but not limited to biopsies - abscess drainages - joint injections - and tube placements
• Transfer patients from stretcher or wheelchair to radiographic table and assist with the transporting of patients to other areas of the hospital Prepare pre-procedural activities including room preparation - arrangement of equipment - and material needed for patient procedures
• Prepares oral and injectable contrast and other chemical mixtures as necessary
• Administer contrast material under the direction of the radiologist - according to protocols
• Follow prescribed protocols required to independently perform simple to complex procedures
• Observes patients during procedures and reports complications or unusual events
• Process images with digital image acquisition and processing
• Perform computer work and required forms associated with patient exams - credit of patient visits - complications and /or quality improvement activities of the Imaging Service Line
• Provide excellent customer service to patients during all interactions
• Work with escort - ward secretaries - nursing personnel - etc
• to ensure proper hand-off of patients between departments/units and unified coordination of care
• Maintain a clean work area and adequate level of supplies within the assigned rooms
• Provide training to student radiographers from affiliated programs and facilitate the attainment of established program objectives
• Practice hospital safety - radiation safety - infection control and universal precautions in accordance with age and/or gender specific departmental procedures The incumbent is responsible for the quality assurance of images (positioning/label/technique/network information) prior to transmission to the PACS network
• The incumbent assists in transmission of images to offsite locations
• The Technologist maintains the equipment/detector/workstations as directed by the manufacturer and reports equipment problems through the appropriate processes
• Perform a variety of department quality assurance/quality control duties
• Provide education to patients and their families on Imaging procedures
• Reception and clerical duties related to patient care including - but not limited to management of images to outside facilities - check-in of received images - registering exams - answering the phone/calling patients with appointment information - and preparing schedules for future appointments
• The incumbent may be needed to participate in on-call as designated in the call schedule as determined by the supervisor
• Other duties as assigned by Imaging Service Line Leadership Work Schedule: 12:00pm to 12:00am - days vary - every other weekend/holiday Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): May Be Authorized for Highly Qualified Candidates 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 #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized