Career Center

Summary

The technologist must be competent in the production - use - recognition - and analysis of images and patterns used for patient diagnosis and treatment. The Technologist is regarded as the expert source and the interpreting radiologist relies heavily on the skills - knowledge - and abilities to provide a final interpretation. The technologist requires knowledge of image acquisition in MRI and Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) and is able to carry out his/her assignment independently.

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 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
• 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)
• 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) - 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: GS-9: The technologist must be competent in the production - use - recognition - and analysis of images and patterns used for patient diagnosis and treatment
• The Technologist is regarded as the expert source and the interpreting radiologist relies heavily on the skills - knowledge - and abilities of the Technologist in providing a final interpretation
• The technologist requires knowledge of image acquisition in MRI and Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) and is able to carry out his/her assignment independently
• 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
• Assignments: 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
• 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 : 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
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Position is primarily Sedentary - however direct patient care within the incumbent's qualifications could be required to support the needs of the service
• To perform in a fully successful manner - the individual must have the physical ability to perform job-related duties which require lifting - standing - bending - transferring - stooping - stretching - walking - pushing - or pulling without assistance from another patient care provider or significant others.

Duties

• Independently performs Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) of the head - neck - spine - chest - body and extremities
• These exams are performed with and without use of contrast materials
• Evaluates critical and emergency procedures and rearranges schedule to accommodate the situation
• The purpose of these exams is to achieve diagnostic studies so that proper diagnosis and treatment may be effectuated
• Duties may include - but not limited to: Employee understands and complies with the laws - regulations - and industry standards which apply to their job functions and performs those functions with the highest standards of business integrity
• Responsible to the radiologists and supervisor for the quality and quantity of radiographic exams performed in order to assure a high level of acceptability of radiographs and reducing costs Schedules exams in a manner to optimize procedural scan times while maintaining flexibility for emergency cases
• This requires the aptitude to prioritize scheduled patients as well as the ability to accommodate the emergency patient who may need immediate emergency surgery - etc
• Confers with radiologists to determine requirement of nonstandard exams that do not conform to established standard protocols
• Determines technical factors - positioning - etc. - to produce a high-quality diagnostic study
• Notifies the physician of scans requiring their immediate attention
• Performs routine and advanced neurological and angiographic studies of the head - neck - spine - chest - body and extremities utilizing highly sophisticated x-ray equipment such as the MRI unit - patient monitors - PACS - etc
• to achieve a high-quality diagnostic study
• Works with the radiologist and/or other healthcare professional as a member of the radiographic team with the responsibility for anticipating technique factor difficulties - preparation of contrast - etc
• Must assist and anticipate the needs of the professional staff during the performance of the exam
• Must be continuously on the alert regarding the patient's condition - supplies and instrument requirements to assure that all preventive measures have been taken to minimize hazards associated with the procedure
• Adheres to hospital infection control and safety policies/techniques with emphasis on appropriate disposal of 'sharps'
• proper attire
• hand washing practices and continuing education
• Prepares contrast materials for required procedures
• Improper use or administration of the contrast materials runs the risk of patient mortality
• Therefore - it is essential that those who prepare and administer contrast materials possess a thorough understanding of its usage and contraindications
• This requires continual alertness to the patient's condition and other disorders
• The alertness is essential for the recognition of potential patient reactions
• Reactions require an immediate response to minimize harm and ensure patient safety
• Therefore - CPR certification and demonstrated venipuncture competency is a requirement for this position
• Practices radiation safety (ALARA) to reduce exposure to the patients - employee - staff - and others
• Reducing exposure time - increasing distance and utilizing shielding (i.e
• lead aprons - lead gloves - lead shields - lead lined walls and collimation) will ensure compliance and minimize radiation exposure
• Responsible for wearing film badges in compliance with radiation regulations
• Performs advanced image manipulations on workstations as directed by the radiologist - healthcare professional or standard operation protocol
• Maintains accurate records and files of exams performed on patients
• This includes maintenance of patient registration and editing of patient exams - documentation within the radiographic modality - Vista - CPRS (i.e
• electronic educational progress notes - etc.) and other required quality assurance records
• Work Schedule: Mon - Tues - Thur - Fri - 12:00pm-10:30pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 30351-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
• VA Careers - Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist: https://youtube.com/embed/I-4ku5UMvWM