Career Center

Summary

The incumbent is to operate and monitor commonly used equipment to perform routine positioning and imaging exams on Veteran - Active Duty - and tri-care beneficiary patients. Images are processed digitally and require the Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (DRT) to assess the quality of the images prior to releasing them to the Radiologist through the picture archiving system (PACS) software. The exams are performed in the 673rd Medical Group Radiology Service.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

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)
• NOTE: You must provide a copy of your (ARRT) certification
• 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)
• NOTE: You must provide a copy of your transcripts showing certification/Degree earned and conferred date
• 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
• 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 DRT under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B)
• The appointing official may waive the requirement of certification for a period not to exceed two years for a DRT that provides care under the supervision of a certified DRT 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
• Loss of Credential
• An employee in this occupation who fails to obtain certification within two years - or who fails to maintain the required certification must be removed from the occupation - which may also result in termination of employment
• 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: 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: (a) Knowledge of basic technique standards for minimum radiographic exposure
• (b) Knowledge of anatomy and positioning
• (c) Knowledge of all patient safety procedures
• (d) Knowledge of radiographic producing equipment
• (e) 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: (a) Knowledge of the technical adequacy of the digital image - including the ability to adjust the image quality in the digital system
• (b) Knowledge of different contrast material required for the requested study
• (c) 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
• (d) Knowledge of computed radiography - CR readers and Digital Imaging systems
• (e) 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: (a) Ability to check system for operation and assess acceptable performance based on established guidelines
• (b) Knowledge of calibration parameters and the ability to make adjustments as needed
• (c) Knowledge of patient's clinical record - diagnosis - and laboratory results
• (d) Ability to monitor patient's physiologic changes during the procedure and keep the radiologist informed
• (e) Skill in using tact - diplomacy - and courtesy in dealings with the customer base - patients - staff - family - visitors - and volunteers
• (f) 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-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-5 to GS-8. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting and carrying (45lbs and over) - moderate lifting and carrying (15-44lbs) - light lifting (under 15lbs) - pushing - reaching above shoulder - use of fingers - both hands required - walking - standing - kneeling - repeated bending - climbing - use of legs and arms - both legs required - ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously - near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4 - far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other - ability to see computer screen - both eyes required - depth perception - ability to distinguish basic colors - ability to distinguish shades of colors - and hearing (aid may be permitted)
• Environmental Factors include dry atmospheric conditions - fumes - smoke - or gases - electrical energy - slippery or uneven walking surfaces - working around moving objects or vehicles - working closely with others - working alone - and exposure to radiation.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties at the GS-8 grade level (full-performance level) include but are not limited to: Operates a variety of sophisticated radiation producing machines used to examine internal structures on human patients
• The technologist must apply patient positioning technique and radiation exposure protocols to obtain useful diagnostic images
• Applies radiation safety practices to minimize radiation exposure to patients - staff - and self by appropriate use of lead shields and collimation/distance management
• Adheres to the principles of ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) when performing exams
• Wears film badge to monitor exposure
• Effectively communicates with patients to assess identity using two identifiers - to discuss the radiology order and determine the best practice approach for the examination - to assess the patient's mobility - to create a level of comfort in patient preparation for exams - and to give specific intelligible instructions
• Varies exam procedures as needed to compensate for patient's individual medical conditions and body habitus
• Uses patient lifts - moveable tables - weight bearing stands - and wheelchairs to safely position and move patients
• Effectively communicates with coworkers to organize and execute the daily work of the Radiology Service and with the Radiologist to provide meaningful images for diagnosis and treatment of patients
• Assists in training new staff in operational procedures as necessary
• Performs necessary quality control (QC) and start-up/shut-down procedures
• Assists the med group in training staff in how to and participate in keeping the reusable medical equipment (RMEs) properly cleaned and conditioned
• Documents all relevant activities and assigned record keeping and monitors documented records for accuracy
• Works with the 673rd Radiology Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge to troubleshoot equipment problems
• Uses proper identifiers and markers on images and may enter appropriate notes in the patient exam record
• Prepares contrast materials used under the direction of the Radiologist
• Ensures all veteran imaging is transferred to the VA's imaging system
• Will upload community images for veteran patients into the VA's imaging system to assist with patient care - as needed
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 0730-1600 Recruitment/Relocation Incentive: Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• 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