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), and7407(d). 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). NOTE: Assignment to the clinical program director requires meeting JRCERT minimum educational standards as noted in the assignment description. 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. Credentialing: 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. 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-08 Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist: At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level. The incumbent will independently provide services in specialized areas of radiologic technology and/or general radiologic technology services. The incumbent will also be able to demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment-specific KSAs as listed below: Ability to check system for operation and assess acceptable performance based on established guidelines. Knowledge of calibration parameters and the ability to make adjustments as needed. Knowledge of patient's clinical record, diagnosis, and laboratory results. Ability to monitor 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. Knowledge of anatomy and physiology, and cross-sectional anatomy, recognizing unusual images, and determining proper positioning to best demonstrate areas of interest. 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-08. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 ["VA Careers - Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist: https://youtube.com/embed/I-4ku5UMvWM Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf The full performance Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist performs a substantially full range of duties but receive guidance and directions regarding unfamiliar or unusual situations for more complex patient issues. The duties of the Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist includes but are not limited to the following: Performs all general diagnostic radiographic and fluoroscopic procedures including, but not limited to, skull, spine, torso, extremities, and gastrointestinal and genitourinary. Prepares oral and rectal contrast for fluoroscopic procedures and obtains pre-procedure radiographs/images. Performs the post fluoroscopic radiographs/images for procedures, such as routine and air contrast studies of the gastrointestinal system, arthrogram, venograms, myelograms, ERCP and cholangiograms. Assists the physician in obtaining informed consent for the injection of contrast media for patients with no known contrast allergy. Assists the physician in obtaining written consent for the injection of contrast media for patients with known contrast allergy. Also assist the physician in obtaining written consent for invasive fluoroscopic procedures such as, arthrograms, venograms, myelograms, and hip injections, as mandated by hospital policy. Assists the physician in obtaining laboratory values needed prior to the injection of contrast media, such as BUN and creatinine. Assists the physician in obtaining laboratory values needed prior to performing invasive fluoroscopic procedures, such as PT, PTT, and INR values. Prepares sterile tray for arthrogram, myelogram, hip injection, and other invasive fluoroscopic procedure in conformance with strict sterile technique. Prepares for the administration of contrast media and a limited number of anesthetic or antispasmodic drugs, such as Lidocaine or Glucagon, under the direct supervision of a physician. Completes annual radiation safety training in TMS. Maintains ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) exposures for patient, coworkers and self. Utilizes radiation safety devices to shield within child bearing years. Utilizes radiation safety devices such as aprons and thyroid shields to when performing procedures where exposure in which exposure is possible. Schedules inpatients and add on outpatients, contacts floor to request patients to be brought to department for procedure, and prioritizes workload to accommodate emergent and urgent procedures. Monitors patient's condition by observation and reports any unusual condition to physician, nurse, chief technologist, or designee of chief technologist. In emergent situations, calls emergency number and starts CPR procedures. Maintains CPR certificate. Performs intraoperative radiographs/images or fluoroscopic procedures in the operating room or GU/CYSTO room utilizing C-arm fluoroscopic equipment, portable radiographic equipment, or fixed radiographic/fluoroscopic equipment. Operates conventional / digital radiographic and fluoroscopic equipment and selects the exposure factors necessary to produce a quality radiograph / image. Performs intraoperative radiographs/images or fluoroscopic procedures in the operating room or GU/CYSTO room utilizing C-arm fluoroscopic equipment, portable radiographic equipment, or fixed radiographic/fluoroscopic equipment. Maintains certification through ARRT (The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists). Adheres to ARRT Continuing Education Requirements for Renewal of Registration, ARRT Standards of Ethics, and ARRT Rules and Regulations. Provides coaching for Radiologic Clinical Students. Register patients for procedures. Documents by case editing procedures performed in the radiology package of VISTA. Documents date, time, initials, and number of films on the paper request that corresponds to images. Assist in the reception area or other non-technical functions as necessary to maintain proper continuity of radiology services. Performs all other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Rotating shifts, weekends, holidays. (Selected candidate will serve across multiple locations, rotating amongst the sites listed: UD, Monroeville and Heinz.) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 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 britni.briscoe@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more"]
About Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
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.
