Career Center

Summary

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

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
• 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)
• 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
• Physical Requirements
• A physical examination will be conducted based on the physical requirements of the position
• GRADE REQUIRENMENTS Creditable Experience: Knowledge of Current Radiologic Technology Practice
• To be creditable - experience must have demonstrated possession of the knowledge - skills - abilities - and other characteristics (also referred to as clinical competencies) associated with current radiologic technology practice
• This may have been evidenced by the equivalent of one year of active practice - which is paid or nonpaid employment as a DRT as defined by ARRT
• Quality of Experience
• Experience is only creditable if it was earned after completion of the basic certification requirements identified above
• Experience as a graduate DRT is creditable provided the candidate functioned as a DRT and subsequently passed the certification examination
• Part-Time Experience
• Part-time experience as a DRT is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time work week
• For example - a DRT would receive one week of full- time credit for each two weeks of half-time work
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for appointment - the following criteria must be met for the GS-10 level
• Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist - GS-10 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
• Specialized Assignment: Advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist
• Employees are trained to work in one or more difficult and complex modalities performing procedures related to these modalities as well as performing general diagnostic procedures
• At this grade level - any assignment in a single modality must demonstrate significant complexity
• Such assignments are unique - perhaps with expert specialization in complex areas of radiologic technology - Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) regulations - and intermediate QM type duties within the program
• The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs: Knowledge of radiation protection standards - devices and techniques - including concepts of accumulated dosage - dose monitoring - and genetic changes
• 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
• Knowledge of basic physics including concepts of energy - electric power - magnetic fields - and properties of x-ray - to understand the operation of the equipment
• Knowledge and skill in positioning of patients for a wide variety of highly complex imaging (CT - MRI - IR - ultrasound - mammography) studies
• References: VA Handbook 5005/119 PART II APPENDIX G25 - December 13 - 2019The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-10
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-10
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019

Duties

• Operates independently and without direct supervision as a Diagnostic Radiological Mammography Technologist responsible for the performance and coordination of diagnostic radiology examinations and procedures at VA Northern California HCS - Radiology Department - Martinez - CA
• Primarily operates mammography equipment to provide diagnostic images for the diagnostic interpretations by a radiologist
• Secondarily performs routine to moderately complex radiographic examination and procedures using diagnostic x-ray equipment
• Duties include but are not limited to the following: Operates and displays a greater in-depth background - expertise and extensive skill in the use and operation of x-ray control consoles - tube assemblies and lock systems in order to perform diagnostic and interventional procedures for mammography
• Understands and capably demonstrates the various and multiple mammography position for standardized projections
• Performs a full range of general radiology imaging studies - for example - chest abdomen and extremity images
• Responsible to the radiologists - lead technologist - and chief technologist for the quality and quantity of mammographic and radiographic exams performed in order to assure a high level of acceptability of radiographs while minimizing patient dosage and reducing costs
• Practices radiation safety in order to reduce exposure to patient - staff and self
• This is achieved by the use of lead aprons - lead gloves - lead shields - lead-lined walls and collimation
• The technologists to assure compliance to radiation regulations wear film badges
• The incumbent must also be aware of and practice the safety policies/procedures of the medical center and participate in quality assurance activities as directed
• Schedules exams in the appropriate order when multiple procedures are requested
• Enters patients as no-shows when he/she fails to keep their scheduled appointment
• Works with work-list management portion of the HIS-RIS interface and case edits patients in VISTA
• Properly identifies the patient and the image
• Uses left and right markers
• This is essential so that mistaken identity does not occur
• The technologist must be certain that the patient ID band and the request are identical
• Responsible to explain exams to competent patients so that the patient understands what is to be done as well as any adverse reactions - if any - are possible
• May be required by procedure or patient's condition to monitor vital signs - recognize allergic reactions and initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation
• Responsible for Quality Assurance - including but not limited to: 1
• Match outside films with VA films and submit for dictation
• 2
• File and tracking of outside films for comparison
• 3
• Ensure required information is entered into the mammography database and is in concurrence with the Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA)
• Responsible for cleanliness and stocking adequate levels of supplies in assigned areas
• Must report equipment malfunctions in a timely manner to the supervisor
• In the absence of the supervisor - enters a work order to Biomedical Engineering Service for repairs
• Incumbent must be professional - cooperative and be able to work with other employees
• Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 08:00 am - 4:30 pm Recruitment/Relocation 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 Susan.Bringel@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Telework: Not AvailableVirtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 612-00509-F