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

**This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until June 17 -2025. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be 01/03/2025. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled.**

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
• English Language Proficiency: DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d)
• 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) - 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
• Exception for Non-Certified - Entry Level Candidates
• Non-certified DRTs who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for ARRT (R) certification may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate ORT under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(8)
• The appointing official may waive the requirement of certification for a period not to exceed two years for a ORT that provides care under the supervision of a certified ORT at or above the full performance level
• This exception only applies at the GS-5 entry level technician
• For grade levels above the entry level - the candidate must be certified
• Temporary appointments of non-certified DRTs may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment
• 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)
• Grade Determinations: Diagnostic Radiologic Technician - 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 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
• Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist - 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
• Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist - 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: ARRT Certification
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Duties

• VA Careers - Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist: https://youtube.com/embed/I-4ku5UMvWM Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Performs a variety of difficult and routine radiographic examinations for the diagnosis of illness or injuries in accident victims
• It is expected that they receive some guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex patient issues and may require indirect supervision in any assignment area of general radiologic technology Receives patients - explains procedures - positions patients - selects technical factors - and makes exposures
• Review and process images for quality and prepares them for interpretation
• In addition - as needed - sets up and operates accessory equipment required for special examinations
• As a team member with a radiologist - performs highly technical procedures such as cholangiography - urethrograms - G.I
• series - Modified Barium Swallow - barium and air contrast Barium Enemas - Arthrograms and Myelograms
• Sets up the x-ray room and assures that sterile supplies - local anesthetics - contrast materials - catheters - and other required equipment are present and laid out
• Obtains the patient's consent using iMed and performs a procedure Time Out for all invasive procedures
• The Time Out is performed with the procedure team in the room by checking the patient's armband - request forms - and marking the body part of concern on applicable exams (arthrograms - joint injections - joint aspirations - etc.) to ensure it is the correct patient and procedure
• Monitors patient's condition and vital signs when necessary and notifies the radiologist of any significant changes
• Knowledge of patient's clinical record - diagnosis - and laboratory results
• Skill in using tact - diplomacy - and courtesy in dealings with customer base - patients - staff - family - visitors - and volunteers
• Prepares contrast materials used in diagnostic imaging exams performed in the general Radiology department
• Improper use or administration of the contrast materials run the risk of patient mortality and - therefore - it is essential that a thorough understanding of the contrast material usage is possessed by those who prepare it
• In addition - must be continuously on the alert to the patient's condition and other disorders
• The radiologist will immediately be notified when a patient has a contrast reaction and will evaluate the patient
• The technologist will document the contrast reaction in CPRS and will also document it in Vista under complications when registering the patient
• Performs radiographic examinations at the patient's bedside utilizing all means available to limit the x-ray beam to the immediate area being examined
• As a team member in the operating room - works with the surgical staff to obtain the view and images needed for hardware placement or removal - positioning of fractures - removing stones and location missing surgical items
• Operates equipment around and over sterile fields without compromising or contaminating the sterile areas
• Must explain the exams to patients or family member so that the patient understands what is to be done as well as what hazards - if any - is possible
• Properly identifies patient by using two forms of identification - ensures images are correctly marked with the patient's pertinent information - and that left and right markers are used and used correctly
• This is essential so that mistaken identity of patient and their images does not occur
• The radiographer must be certain the patient ID band and the request are identical
• Registers patients into the computerized Radiology Information System
• Practices radiation safety to reduce exposure to patient - staff and self
• Responsible for cleanliness and stocking adequate levels of supplies in assigned areas
• Must report equipment malfunction in a timely manner to the supervisor
• The technologist captures computerized and digital radiographs - applies an algorithm - configures the image - and verifies patient information before transmitting them to the picture archive system
• This procedure requires the technologist to have extensive knowledge of computer operations
• Image manipulation and transmission is critical in computerized radiography - lost data can only be recaptured by repeating the radiograph
• The incumbent will also participate in on-call or standby to provide 24 hours - 7 days a week service coverage
• and will also participate in the departmental in-service program
• Work Schedule: Varying shifts - weekends and holidays Recruitment 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 Michael.Campbell6@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 56852-A - 56853-A - 56854-A - 56855-A Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized