Career Center

Summary

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until 12/19/2025. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be 01/02/2025 - with subsequent cut-off dates on the 1st of each month.

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)
• 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)
• 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
• NOTE: Each uncertified VHA DRT who was permanently employed on June 21 - 1986 - and whose competence in the safe administration of ionizing radiation was affirmed - in writing - by a VA licensed physician not later than January 1 - 1987 - is considered fully qualified
• These employees may be promoted - changed to lower grade - or reassigned within the GS-0647 occupational series
• Any employee initially retained in this manner who leaves this job series loses protected status and must meet the full requirements in effect at the time of reentry
• Grade Determinations: Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist GS-5: Experience or Education: None beyond the basic requirements
• Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist 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 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
• Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist GS-7: Experience or Education: At least one year of experience at 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 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 - and Knowledge of PACS and basic computer skills
• Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist GS-8 (Full Performance Level): Experience: At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level
• Demonstrated 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 make adjustments 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-08
• 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 pounds and over Heavy carrying - 45 pounds and over Straight Pulling 1 hour Pushing 1 - 2 hours Reaching above shoulder Use of fingers Both Hands required Walking up to 3 hours Repeated bending 1 hour Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4 Hearing (aid may be permitted)

Duties

• 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 TBD - rotating on-schedule/holidays 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