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

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 computed tomography (CT)
• 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)
• 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: In addition to the basic requirements for appointment - the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates: GS-09: Experience
• At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-08) - directly related to the position being filled that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level
• 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 (*): *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 - procedural - and post-procedural care of patients
• Specialty Modality Requirements: 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 inter- relationship 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.] Preferred Experience: 3+ years of CT experience
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Lift - move or push heavy equipment - specifically cassettes - mobile x-ray equipment - stretchers and/or wheelchairs with patients in them
• Assist in lifting patients who may be paralyzed - comatose or otherwise incapacitated - from stretchers or wheelchairs to x-ray tables and back
• Provide physical assistance and care for patients in a timely manner in all circumstances
• Reach overhead in order to manipulate an x-ray tube.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional This Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist position is in Radiology services at the Providence VA Medical Center - located at the Providence - RI location
• It is an Intermittent position
• This position performs both specialized CT and general DRT technologist duties at PVAMC to aid in proper diagnosis and treatment of patients at PVAMC
• CT duties are performed in the Diagnostic Imaging Service (DIS) and DRT duties are performed in DIS and throughout PVAMC
• Duties include - but not limited to: Prepares CT equipment for daily operation and performs required QC procedures
• Maintains the cleanliness of his/her assigned work area - and re-stocks supplies
• Reports all supply shortages and equipment failures to the supervisor
• Evaluates relevant lab and test results according to DIS protocols and procedures
• Provides education to patients and family members on CT imaging procedures
• Performs IV insertion and practices sterile technique to prevent contamination Prepares IV contrast material and administers contrast material agents under the guidance of a radiologist or supervising physician
• The employee is responsible for informing the radiologist or supervising physician of any adverse contrast reaction as soon as possible so the patient can be evaluated
• Adheres to all dose reduction efforts and protocols determined by the radiologists - Radiation Safety Committee - and DIS protocols
• Responsible for on call duties as assigned by the supervisor
• Performs portable radiography for the Emergency Room - OR - recovery - inpatient wards - and other areas as required
• Responsible for the quality and quantity of radiographic exams while minimizing patient radiation dose
• Advises the radiologist - participating providers or referring physicians of examinations requiring their immediate attention
• Practices radiation safety in order to reduce exposure to patient - staff and self and wears assigned dosimeter according to department policy
• Participates in quality assurance activities as directed
• Documents all fluoroscopy doses after completion according to PVAMC policy
• Performs related duties as determined by the supervisor
• Work Schedule :Full-time 40 hours - Monday-Friday evenings - Rotating weekends and holidays
• Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized
• 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 vhaedrpprogramsupport@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Paid time off - including: Paid annual leave based on hours worked - accrual starting on your first day Paid annual sick leave based on hours worked - accrual starting on your first day (no limit on accrual) Paid federal holidays dependent on work schedule Health - dental - vision - long-term care - and term life insurance plans - Rates are prorated or based on hours worked Flexible spending accounts (FSAs) Benefit/pension program - after 5 years of federal service Thrift Savings Plan (Federal 401k) for retirement - with VHA matching up to 5% of employee contributions Parental leave and transit subsidies (conditions apply) Telework: Not Authorized
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement # F01291 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
• Notifications: Due to a critical staffing shortage - 38 U.S.C. § 7412 waives the requirement to apply Veterans' preference for this job announcement
• Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees
• Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50 - (Notice of Personnel Action)
• The SF-50 must identify the position title - series - grade - step - tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted)
• In some cases - more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held
• This position is eligible for coverage by a Bargaining Unit - but is not currently represented
• This position is covered by a special rate
• Narrative responses to the knowledge - skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment.