Career Center

Summary

The Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist - Computed Tomography (CT) Technologist has responsibility for the coordination and performance of the CT section and works closely with fellow Technologists - Radiologists - Clinicians and Administrative staff to assure optimum quality control - efficient coordination of activities - high quality diagnostic/therapeutic exam results - and patient satisfaction. The duties of this position are performed within the Chillicothe VA Radiology Department.

Qualifications

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)
• Education Requirement: You must have completed 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)
• Certification: You 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)
• 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
• 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 Determination Experience: To qualify for the GS-9 grade level - you must have 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
• Candidates at this grade level must be 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
• Examples include - checking system for operation and assess acceptable performance based on established guidelines
• having knowledge of calibration parameters and the ability to make adjustments as needed
• knowledge of patient's clinical record - diagnosis - and laboratory results
• monitoring 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
• and knowledge of anatomy and physiology - and cross-sectional anatomy - recognizing unusual images - and determining proper positioning to best demonstrate areas of interest
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate ALL of the following knowledge - skills - and abilities 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
• Preferred Experience: Three to five years of experience
• 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-9. Physical Requirements: While performing the duties of this job - the employee is regularly required to stand and walk
• The work requires long periods of standing and walking
• There is some bending and carrying of moderately heavy articles
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50lbs
• Patient mental status and physical habitus will require the incumbent to be able to assist patients during transfer that is required of examinations
• Specific vision abilities required by this job function include but not limited are close vision - distance vision - peripheral vision - depth perception - and ability to adjust focus.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to: Independently performs all Computerized Tomography and general Radiography protocols with and without the use of contrast materials
• Ensures that adequate quantities of CT supplies are available to meet workload demands through a systemized process of ordering - receipt and inventory control
• Assists in the coordination of the repair of CT/XR equipment
• May serve as the liaison between Radiology and Biomedical Engineering and repair contractors
• Recommends equipment improvements - repairs - upgrades - etc
• Schedules exams in a manner so as to optimize scanner times while maintaining flexibility for emergency cases
• Adheres to hospital infection control and safety policies/techniques with emphasis on sterile technique
• the storage of sterile supplies
• the disposal of body fluids and 'sharps'
• proper attire
• hand washing practices
• and continuing education
• Thorough knowledge of radiation protection standards - devices - techniques - including concepts of accumulated dosage - genetic changes - and effects of radiation on living organisms
• Insures correct machine techniques to minimize such exposures - monitors the safeguards - and recognizes when changes of equipment or procedures might result in increased exposure
• Ability to recommend alternative methods to prevent such exposures
• Identifies patients and any associated health information
• Explain exams to patients so that patients understand what is to be done as well as what hazards - if any - are possible
• Administering patient's records - entering progress notes and general record keeping
• is familiar with basic first aid and CPR techniques and methods for handling disturbed psychiatric patients
• Work Schedule: Monday through Friday - 8:00 a.m
• to 4:30 p.m
• Rotating weekends and holidays
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not 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)
• 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 Authorized
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 91768-0 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.