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. 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: The following are the basic requirements for appointment as an Advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technician (Special Procedures) ) in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). 1. Citizenship. All applicants are required to 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.) 2. 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. 3. 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). 4. Credentialing Standards. Public Law 97-35, the Consumer-Patient Radiation Health and Safety Act of 1981, requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75, Standards for the Accreditation of Educational Programs and the Credentialing of Radiographic Personnel. Essentially, they must have successfully completed an educational program that meets or exceeds the standards described in that regulation and is accredited by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and be certified as radiographers in their field. 5. English Language Proficiency. All applicants 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). Preferred Experience: Interventional Radiology experience preferred but not necessary. 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-10. Physical Requirements. The incumbent will be required to do the following: A. Position requires long periods of standing and walking, some bending, lifting, and carrying of moderately heavy items. B. Requires considerable effort and working in awkward positions. C. Ability to reach above shoulder required. D. Both hands and use of fingers required. E. Must be able to lift, carry and move heavy equipment/patients routinely ["Knowledge of cross-sectional human anatomy and physiology as well as medical terminology to perform responsibilities and demonstrate a high degree of accuracy in radiographic positioning. Transfer patients safely from stretcher or wheelchair to procedure table or CT gantry. Setting up and positioning patients, providing immobilization devices, selecting proper technical factors on an individual patient basis, and operating the equipment. Performs post processing reconstructions. Perform majority of exams utilizing surgical sterile techniques. Is routinely required to \"Scrub in\" to assist the radiologist with procedures and is an integral part of the sterile team during complex interventional procedures. Familiar with the loading, programming, and use of automated power injectors. Follow prescribed protocols required to perform procedures. Familiar with the signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction to intravenous contrast or other similar complications during the procedures and immediately inform medical staff in the area including nurse and/or physician, and if necessary, activate emergency code and initiate CPR. Perform computer work and required forms associated with the patient exams, credit of patient visits, complications and/or quality improvement activities of the radiology department. Registers patient requests in a timely manner. Familiar with all MRI zones I, ii, ill, iv. Performs digital imaging, verifies image quality, transfer of images and archival to pacs system. Verifies image transition using vista imaging display. Identifies patient and the image. This is essential so that mistaken identity does not occur. Enters patient data and sets up ultrasound equipment as needed. Maximize patient throughput by contacts with escort, ward secretaries, nursing personnel, etc. Provide orientation and training to employees within his/her section as needed. Provide guidance to staff transporting/caring for patients in the special procedures section. Practice radiation safety to reduce exposure to patient, staff, and self. Assure compliance with radiation regulations, wear film badges/ring badges when necessary. Be aware of and practice the safety policies/procedures of the medical center and participate in quality assurance activities as directed. Knowledge of basic physics including concepts of energy, electric power, and properties of x-ray and ultrasound beams and how these fundamental properties are utilized in the creating of medical images, to understand the operation of the equipment. Edits and when necessary, registers patients in vista and cprs. Understands the principals of the use of pacs. Uses electronic methods to complete procedures, assign accurate patient information to studies then electronically send images for interpretation. Responsible for cleanliness and stocking adequate levels of supplies. Report equipment malfunctions in a timely manner to the supervisor and is competent to enter work orders into the appropriate service portal request systems. Must be professional, cooperative and be able to work with other employees. Relationship with supervisors, co-workers, and others within the organization is consistently courteous and cooperative in nature, and overall contributes positively. Performs post processing . Participates in continuing education processes to maintain competencies and keep abreast of technological advances. Responsible to the radiologists and supervisor for the quality of radiographic exams performed to assure a high level of acceptability of exams while minimizing patient dosage and reducing costs. Reports malfunctioning equipment to his/her supervisor, enters appropriate work orders and can produce the work order receipts to facilitate appropriate follow up. Must attain and maintain BCLS (basic cardiac life support) certification from accredited society as per local policy. Provide training to student radiographers/residents/nursing students/pa students from affiliated programs and facilities for the attainment of established program objectives. Participate in call back for the angio/ special procedures imaging section. Requires the technologist be available after hours, nights, weekends, and holidays during call assignments. Must be available within 30 minutes from receipt of call, so that proper and effective emergency care can be administered to the patient. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday - 07:30am - 04:00pm Telework: This position is Not authorized for telework. Position Description/PD#: Advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (Special Procedures)/PD000000Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.