Career Center

Summary

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

Qualifications

**This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 30 - 2025. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be May 14 - 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.** 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
• 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) - [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).] 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: (1) 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
• (2) 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
• (3) 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
• (4) 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
• (5) 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
• 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 interrelationship 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.] Grade Determinations: GS-9 Experience
• At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-8) - directly related to the position being filled that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level
• At the GS-8 level - DRTs serve as staff DRTs and are qualified to independently provide services in specialized areas of radiologic technology and/or general radiologic technology services with only occasional oversight or direction for highly complex issues
• At the GS-8 level - ALL of the following knowledge - skills - and abilities must be demonstrated: 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
• [Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist]
• 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
• The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment-specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): i
• *Ability to balance the needs of patients and staff while still performing complex scans and procedures
• ii
• Knowledge of techniques for gathering relevant information from the medical record - significant others - and health care providers
• iii
• *Ability to assess factors that may contraindicate the procedure
• iv
• Knowledge of basic first aid and basic life support practices related to radiography
• v
• Knowledge of physical assessment - aseptic techniques - intravenous methods and techniques and universal precautions
• vi
• Knowledge of pre-procedural - procedural - and post-procedural care of patients
• 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 the GS-9.

Duties

• Total Rewards Brochure: Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf This Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (DRT) - Computed Tomography (CT) - position is assigned to the Columbia VA Healthcare System - Radiology Service - Computed Tomography section
• This specialty modality requires specific knowledge of cross-sectional human anatomy and its application in spiral - and/or - multi-slice computed tomography - inclusive of 3-D reconstruction scans - drainages - biopsies - and peripheral vascular examinations
• Major duties include - but are not limited to: Accurately operates a wide variety of imaging equipment to obtain examinations of acceptable quality - utilizing the least amount of radiation to obtain quality imaging for diagnosis and localization purposes and all other assigned duties
• Technologist works independently on most exams but confers with Radiologists and CT Supervisor and/or Lead Technologist on more difficult problems
• Work is spot-checked for achievement of objectives
• Knowledge of cross-sectional anatomy and physiology including location - appearance - and functioning of the major and minor systems susceptible to radiographic illumination - and knowledge of changes to systems and organs caused by common medical and surgical diseases
• Performs all aspects of CT imaging to include Head - Neck - Chest - Abdomen - Pelvis - Extremities - 3D Reconstructions of CT - Multi-Planar Reformats for CT and Angiographic studies when requested and/or when part of a standard procedure
• Performs all aspects of CT Interventional Radiography - including Biopsies - RF Ablations - Abscess drainages - cyst aspirations - and all other exams
• Performs CT Angiography of the Circle of Willis - Carotids - Abdominal Aortas - and Run-Offs - utilizing specialized series to visualize the anatomy and pathology necessary for diagnosis
• The radiographic goal of CT is to provide high quality imaging and generate the best possible images at the minimal radiation dose necessary to the patient
• Performs Interventional CT exams utilizing surgical sterile techniques
• This requires proper preparation of sterile trays - proper labeling of medications dispensed to sterile trays - knowledge of supplies and specific locations - and assuring measures have been taken to prevent contamination of the patient and equipment
• Incumbent will work with the radiologist/physician as a member of the CT team
• Must assist and anticipate the needs of the radiologist/physician and the performance of the exam
• They must be continuously on the alert for the patient's condition and sterile field
• Technologist works with CT schedule to assure timely accomplishment of assigned workload - making day-to-day adjustments in accordance with established priorities and additional assignments
• Optimizes scan times while maintaining flexibility for emergent cases
• This requires the ability to prioritize scheduled patients as well as the ability to accommodate the emergent patient
• Maximize patient throughput by contacts with escort - ward secretaries - nursing personnel - etc
• Technologist performs all other duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: 0800-1630 - 1600-Mid - Mid-0800
• Days - Evenings - Night Shifts with Rotating Weekends/Holidays
• May be required to work on different shift during periods of staffing shortages
• Hours are subject to change based on the needs of the agency
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact vhaedrpprogramsupport@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more 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 #: 55684F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized