Career Center

Summary

Chalmers P. Wylie VAACC Radiology Service is seeking an Advanced DRT. Employees at this grade are fully functional as an advanced DRT and carry out their assigned tasks independently. About 75% of the employee's tour of duty is spent in MRI performing complex examinations. DRTs at this level may have varying assignments including special and complex imaging procedure - and basic Quality Management type duties within the program. Must be certified for MRI Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus)

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 and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) 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
• 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)
• English Language Proficiency
• DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d)
• 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 non-paid 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
• Experience as a graduate DRT is creditable provided the candidate functioned as a DRT and subsequently passed the certification examination
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• This specialty modality requires additional knowledge of superconducting magnets - the physics of superconducting magnets - and and how they relate to the human anatomy in medical imaging
• The technologist must be educated in the safety factors governing magnetic environment that patients - visitor - and equipment enter
• The technologist must have specialized knowledge of cross sectional anatomy and how it relates to the soft tissues and vessels of the human body
• The technologist must also have specialized knowledge in the radio-frequency surface coils required for each specific anatomical area to be imaged
• This assignment may also perform basic magnetic resonance safety program duties
• Technologists must be knowledgeable in contrast media - power injectors - and PACS
• DRT assignments that include performance of independent duties in this subspecialty require advanced ARRT (MR) certification
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for appointment - the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates: Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist - GS-9 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
• Assignments
• For all assignments above the full performance level - the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope - complexity (difficulty) - and range of variety - and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time
• DRTs at this grade level may be appointed to one of the following assignments: 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 knowledge - skills - and abilities (KSAs): KSAs: Ability to balance the needs of patients and staff while still performing complex scans and procedures
• Knowledge of techniques for gathering relevant information from the medical record - significant others - and health care providers
• Ability to assess factors that may contraindicate the procedure
• Knowledge of basic first aid and basic life support practices related to radiography
• Knowledge of physical assessment - aseptic techniques - intravenous methods and techniques and universal precautions
• Knowledge of pre-procedural - procedure - and post-procedural care of patients
• Preferred Experience: MRI Registered References: VA Handbook 5005/119 Part II Appendix G25 12/2019 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09 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

• VA Careers - Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist: https://youtube.com/embed/I-4ku5UMvWM Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Functions of Scope of Assigned Duties
• A
• Receives requests or instructions to independently perform both diagnostic and MRI procedures as well as other collateral duties as assigned
• Interprets requests or instructions from radiologist or medical officers
• Performs as technologist in charge when assigned
• Understands and carries out the requests made by physicians or seeks assistance of the supervisor when an uncommon - unique - or new procedure is required
• B.
• Reviews MRI protocols and patient lab results prior to beginning exam
• Performs point of care testing to determine whether creatinine levels are appropriate for contrast studies C
• Confers with the radiologist to establish requirements of nonstandard examinations and determines technical factors - positioning - number - thickness and cut of scans - etc. - to comply with the specified MRI exam requested
• D
• Maintains knowledge for appropriate positioning - this includes knowledge of MRI management software to perform specific exams
• enters exam into computer which has standard preselected digital settings for each MRI procedure to select - view and transfer images
• Manages troubleshooting operations (such as when unit has gone down due to a failure and must be brought up again)
• and manual override procedures to finish a series of scans when external conditions would otherwise cause the machine to shut off
• E
• Secures the confidence and cooperation of patients during procedures
• Explains procedures and positions to patients for desired results
• Also - cushions and shields patients as appropriate
• Varies procedures or positions to adjust for patients' medical conditions
• Administers contrast materials orally - by enema - or intravenously under supervision by the Radiologist
• F
• Operates digital radiography equipment
• Determines technical factors - sets controls - and ensures that the portion of the body specified receives the correct calculated exposure
• Sets up and adjusts accessory equipment required and makes exposures necessary for requested procedures
• Ensures ALARA principle is applied for every exam
• (As low as reasonably achievable)
• Performs daily and weekly quality assurance tests to ensure proper equipment function
• G
• Registers patients for examinations and updates status as necessary
• Performs clerical duties as they relate to patient care
• Accesses the medical record as necessary to view laboratory results or to verify exam order
• Work Schedule: Tuesday-Wednesday and Saturday-Sunday 7:30am to 6:00pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): 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) 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 #: 92254-A Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized