Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

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
• 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: 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) is required
• NOTE: A transcript from accredited colleges - universities - schools - or institutions must be submitted with your application
• 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
• NOTE: You must submit a copy of your certification(s) with your application
• 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: The following is used to determine the grade requirements for an Advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (IR/Vascular/X-Ray) at the GS-10 grade level
• Interventional Radiography (IR) Technologists working in this special assignment may function as vascular interventional (VI) - cardiac interventional (CI) and/or cardiovascular-interventional (CV) technologists which use specialized equipment to perform diagnostic angiographic procedures and complex vascular and nonvascular interventional and therapeutic procedures
• This specialty requires additional knowledge of vascular systems and major vessel anatomy
• The technologist must be knowledgeable in the specialized equipment employed for digital subtraction systems and interventional procedures
• The technologist administers contrast media under the supervision of the staff radiologist and confers with the radiologist to establish requirements regarding contrast agents - vital signs - medications - and physiologic monitoring to perform procedures
• IR technologist must be knowledgeable in digital imagining and PACS
• Experience: Candidates must have at least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-09) - directly related to the position being filled that demonstrates the following clinical competencies: 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
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: In addition to the experience listed above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs: Knowledge of radiation protection standards - devices and techniques - including concepts of accumulated dosage - dose monitoring - and genetic changes
• Ability to utilize advanced imaging software that supports complex imaging programs and recognize changes in equipment and procedures that might result in increased exposures - and ability to recommend methods to prevent such exposures
• Knowledge of basic physics including concepts of energy - electric power - magnetic fields - and properties of x-ray - to understand the operation of the equipment
• Knowledge and skill in positioning of patients for a wide variety of highly complex imaging (CT - MRI - IR - ultrasound - mammography) studies
• 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 physical demands of the work include: Heavy lifting - 45 pounds and over
• moderate carrying - 15-44 pounds
• pushing up to 4 hours
• reaching above shoulder
• use of fingers - good dexterity (both hands required)
• prolonged walking - prolonged standing
• repeated bending
• ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20
• ability to distinguish basic colors
• hearing (aid permitted)
• speed in working
• and emotional stability
• Must have the ability to stand and work while wearing a lead apron for possibly long periods of time
• ****OCHCO Bulletin Subject: Annual Determination of Staffing Shortages - dated October 1 - 2024
• Although hybrid title 38 occupations follow title 5 Veterans' preference rules - as required by the Merit Systems Protection Board (Graves v
• VA - 117 M.S.P.R
• 697 (2012)) - 38 U.S.C. § 7412 waives the requirement to apply Veterans' preference to external applicants for appointments made during the fiscal year to hybrid title 38 occupations among those reported to have the largest staffing shortages.

Duties

• Advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologists are trained to work in one or more difficult and complex modalities performing procedures related to these modalities as well as performing general diagnostic procedures
• At this grade level - any assignment in a single modality must demonstrate significant complexity
• Such assignments are unique - perhaps with expert specialization in complex areas of radiologic technology
• Duties are - but not limited to: Accurately operates a wide variety of imaging equipment to obtain examinations of acceptable quality - utilizing the least amount of radiation to obtain quality imaging for diagnosis and localization purposes
• Technologist works under the supervision of the Section Supervisor and/or Lead Technologist and rotates all responsibilities within the CT and General Radiology section
• Performs all aspects of interventional and vascular procedures by standardized protocols as directed by the radiologist to include all digital angiography - tomography - venograms - myelograms - percutaneous nephrostomy
• Technologist will independently perform examinations of the head - entire spine - chest - abdomen - and extremities - using direct radiography (DR)
• All examinations are processed digitally
• Technologist will operate all radiographic and portable units
• Independently perform all types of radiographic - tomographic - and portable procedures at the bedside and in the operating rooms
• Technologist will rotate into different interventional - vascular and radiology rooms to maintain knowledge of all procedures and equipment
• Observes patients during procedures and reports complications or unusual events
• Technologist is trained in the proper use of I-stat and power injectors
• Technologist receives and interprets all radiology requests for accuracy - appropriateness
• date desired and maintains a thorough knowledge of the ordering process in CPRS
• Technologist works with interventional and vascular schedule to assure timely accomplishment of assigned workload - making day-to-day adjustments in accordance with established priorities and additional assignments
• Performs and completes imaging studies within the established guidelines for stat - preop - urgent - and routine exams
• Properly identifies patient by using two forms of identification: full name - date of birth - full social security number and/or hospital name band
• Responsible to explain exams to competent patients so that the patient understands what is to be done and what - if any - potential adverse effects may be possible
• Transfer wheelchair and stretcher patients safely using ergonomic methods of patient transfer with the use of provided transfer equipment such as sit to stand - ceiling mounted lifts and air mattresses
• Prepares contrast materials under the direction of the radiologist
• Responsible to the radiologists and supervisor for the quality and quantity of interventional and vascular procedures /exams performed to assure a high level of acceptability while minimizing patient dosage
• Maintains electronic records and files of exams performed on patients
• Technologist will perform PACS duties including identifying films - linking exam folders - proper use of annotation on the exam - proper window leveling - and proper image orientation
• Performs most exams utilizing surgical sterile techniques
• Maintains adequate supplies and pharmaceuticals used in the department
• Technologist must also be aware of and practice the safety policies and procedures of the Medical Center and participate in quality assurance activities as directed
• Practice's radiation safety to reduce exposure to patient - staff - and self
• Responsible for adhering to the Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) policies and procedures within the Radiology Service
• Complies with all safety/fire prevention rules/regulations - using protective equipment when required and provided
• Technologist transmits and receive-mail through Microsoft Outlook and GUI mail
• Technologist must be professional - cooperative and be able to work with other employees
• Technologist may be required to coordinate work activities of lower grade technologist and students
• Required to work in an after hour on-call standby status to perform emergency scans
• Flexible and knowledgeable in basic procedures in patient reception and file room - providing basic coverage for these areas when necessary
• Work Schedule: Monday through Friday from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm (After hours on-call required)
• Functional Statement #: 41290F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized to qualified candidates
• EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact VISN8CCoE@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more