Location: Charleston, South Carolina, South Carolina
Categories:
Allied Health
Internal Number: 822845200
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: 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). Certification. All applicants must be certified in general radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology, Radiography (ARRT) (R). Education. Completion of a full-time training course of at least 24 months in duration (or the 2 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). 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 Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following 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: VA Handbook 5005/119 PART II APPENDIX G25. 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: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over, Reaching above shoulder, Use of fingers, Both hands required, Walking 6 hours, Standing 8 hours, Specific visual requirement: Ability to read typewritten characters with or w/o glasses, Specific hearing requirements: Ability to hear conversational voice with or w/o hearing aid, Emotional and Mental Stability. ["Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf The incumbent is at the senior performance level as a staff advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (DRT) in General Radiology within the Ralph H. Johnson VA HealthCare System. The DRT at this level performs routine to complex radiographic examinations and procedures to both inpatients and outpatients using diagnostic imaging equipment such as digital radiographic units, fluoroscopic units, portable equipment, and DEXA (Dual energy X-ray Absorptiometry) machines. Typical duties may include, but are not limited to: Assists Radiologists during fluoroscopic examinations. Prepares contrast materials under the direction of the Radiologist for examinations requiring injectable solutions such as cystogram, arthrography and barium suspensions for the purpose of performing upper and lower exams of the GI tract. Responsible to the Radiologists and supervisor for the quality and quantity of radiographic exams performed to assure a high level of quality of radiographs while minimizing radiation dosage and reducing costs. Practices radiation safety using principles of ALARA, reducing exposure to patient, staff and self. Performs imaging using direct radiography and computed radiography with the images processed digitally. Registers patient procedures in the VISTA system and verifies with the patient the orders are accurate. Confirms patient identity by verbally confirming patient name and social security number. Properly identifies patient images. Responsible to explain exams to competent patients so that the patient understands what is to be done and what, if any, are potential adverse effects may occur. Trains students in radiographic technique including positioning, exposure factors, patient identification, and environmental factors which result in optimal imaging and meet the needs of the students during their rotation at this facility. Performs portable radiographic exams at the bedside and in the operating rooms providing diagnostic x-rays to the surgeons and professional staff on patients that are unable to be x-rayed in the Radiology Service due to incapacity or surgical procedures. Performs bone densitometry examinations utilizing the DEXA scanner. Work Schedule: Various shifts available, with rotating on call and holidays. 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 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) 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 Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: FS 57021 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized"]
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.