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:

• English Language Proficiency: DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d)
• Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States
• (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3g.) 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).] NOTE: Assignment to the clinical program director requires meeting JRCERT minimum educational standards as noted in the assignment description.]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)
• 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)
• At the GS-8 level - Knowledge - skills - and abilities must be demonstrated: 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
• Grade Determinations: 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 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
• Preferred Experience:1 year of experience directly related to the position being filled that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-9. Physical Requirements: This position requires heavy lifting - 45 pounds and over - prolonged standing - repeated bending - transferring
• stooping - stretching - walking - pushing - or pulling with and without assistance from another patient care provider or significant other
• Reaching above the shoulder
• use of fingers - good dexterity (both hands required)
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• distinguish basic colors
• good hearing (aid permitted)
• good vision
• speed in working and emotional stability
• Must have the ability to Wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (Lead Apron) for periods of time
• A health examination must be successfully complete prior to this assignment and periodically thereafter as required by the Employee Health Clinic policy.

Duties

• Duties include but not limited to: Prepares contrast materials under the direction of the radiologist for the purpose of performing exams requiring injectable solutions such as cystograms - and cholangiograms - Prepares contrast for the purpose of performing oral and rectal exams of the GI tract
• (In the case of injected media - a patient consent form must be obtained - when indicated.) These procedures require the use of needles - syringes - isovue - Omnipaque - gastrogrifin - barium - and enema bags
• The radiographer must know the side effects of the contrast media used and the adverse reactions
• Improper use or administration of contrast materials can risk patient mortality - therefore - it is essential that a thorough understanding of usage be possessed by those who prepare it
• Applicant must be continuously on the alert to the patient's condition and other disorders
• Adverse reactions on the part of the patient require immediate attention so that harm does not come to the patient or equipment
• These exams are performed during mandatory rotations through the Columbia VA Healthcare System
• Help to maintain effective control of the Radiology department by coordinating - organizing - and executing the work potential to expedite workflow patterns within the department
• Performs all Diagnostic procedures to include all administrative duties associated with each
• Validates all images prior to transmitting them to VistA/VUE Explorer to be interpreted by the professional staff
• Keeps abreast of technological advances in the fields of Radiology
• Successful completion of all required educational classes and successfully receives all Continuing Education Units (CEU'S) as governed by the ARRT - to maintain an active status with the ARRT Society
• Maintain current BLS certification and complete all required TMS courses in a timely manner
• Maximize efficiency in the number of exams performed without compromising the quality of patient care
• Continuously works to develop a cohesive and effective team with other areas of the Radiology Department and the entire facility to expedite quality patient care
• Performs Diagnostic procedures on a high volume of patients to include outpatients - inpatients - procedures performed with the C-arm in the operating room - fluoroscopic procedures - as well as portable exams
• Assists in the training of rotating x-ray students and technologists
• Assists in training volunteers working within the department
• Responsible for explaining exams to competent patients in terms the patient will comprehend as well as understanding potential hazards that may occur as a result of the exam
• Depending on procedure can recognize allergic reactions and initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation
• Properly identify patients correctly
• Uses two identifiers to Identify patients before starting any Radiology exam/procedure
• Properly label all images with Right or Left markers
• This is essential so that mistaken identity of films to patients does not occur
• The radiographer must be certain patient identification and requests are identical
• Practices radiation safety to reduce exposure to patients - staff - and self
• This is achieved by the appropriate use of lead aprons - lead gloves - lead shields - lead lined walls - collimation - and distance management
• Film badges are worn by the radiographer to assure compliance to radiation regulations and guidelines of the state
• Exercises extreme caution in the handling and safeguarding of all radiation producing equipment
• Must recognize and report major equipment malfunctions within a timely manner
• Interacts with patients in a manner that is appropriate to the patient's age - physical and emotional condition
• Answers all questions about exams to reduce patient anxiety
• Demonstrates courtesy and respect of patients - family members - fellow employees - including volunteers - students - and other co-workers in the work environment
• Receives and interprets all radiology requests
• Inputs pertinent radiology information into computer
• Responsible for making routine calibrations on equipment
• Participates in annual training provided in the set-up - use - re-processing - and maintenance of unit/department -specific Reusable Medical Device (RMD)
• Work Schedule: Full-Time - 8:00am -4:30pm / 7:30am - 4:00pm to include Rotational weekends and Holidays.(Subject to change based on agency needs)
• Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@VA.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Functional Statement # 544-55791-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Yes Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required.