Summary

The Diagnostic Radiologic Technician (CT) for VA Loma Linda performs all of the routine - as well as - the most complicated exams in Diagnostic X-Ray and CT. The Diagnostic Radiologic Technician (CT) functions with or without the availability of an immediate supervisor and will serve on the irregular shift (weekday and weekend - evening/night - holiday - etc.)

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:

• Citizenship: Citizen of the United States
• 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
• 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)
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements above - candidates must meet the following grade requirements
• GS-9 Diagnostics Radiologic Technologist Experience: Applicants must have at least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level
• Experience at the next lower grade level includes - but is not limited to: Checking system for operation and assess acceptable performance based on established guidelines Calibrating 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
• 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
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate these Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSA's): 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
• Assignment
• Employees at this level are fully functional as an advanced DRT and carry out their assigned tasks independently
• DRTs at this level may have varying assignments including special and complex imaging procedures beyond the full performance level - clinical instruction - and basic QM type duties within the program
• Regardless of the nature of the specific assignment - the work must be of sufficient scope and complexity to meet the knowledge - skills - and abilities to perform at this level
• Computed Tomography (CT)
• This specialty modality requires specific knowledge of cross sectional human anatomy and its application in spiral - and/or - multi-slice computer tomography - inclusive of 3-D reconstruction scans - including drainages - biopsies - and peripheral vascular examinations
• The technologist requires specific knowledge and training in the location - appearance - and function of the various major and minor systems susceptible to radiological illumination
• to interpret the examination request accurately
• to understand the functioning and inter relationship of the various organs
• to use the methods and techniques which will identify organs appearing on the digital display monitor - or on film - and the various stages of the examination to judge the acceptability of the image and/or scan for diagnostic use and to emphasize the aspects of interest to the physician
• DRT assignments that include performance of independent duties in this subspecialty require advanced ARRT certification
• 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: Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist's work requires long periods of standing and walking up to 8 hours
• There is repeated bending - pushing/ pulling - reaching above shoulders - use of both hands (hands and fingers) - twisting and carrying of moderately heavy articles weighing from 15-44 pounds such as multiple cassettes - grids - as well as wearing lead aprons
• Movement of moderately heavy equipment is generally power assisted such as portable machines
• Positioning of patients who are disabled may require considerable effort and working in awkward positions
• Heavy lifting of incapacitated patients is done only with help of other employees and devices provided by the Radiology Section
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Duties

• VA Careers - Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist: https://youtube.com/embed/I-4ku5UMvWM Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Duties include - but are not limited to the following: Makes independent decisions during the exams and is responsible for Quality Control of the exams that could affect the diagnostic accuracy
• Makes independent determinations of what exams will be performed - at what times - and must determine when to call in a Radiologist to answer questions for diagnosis
• Is responsible for determining when equipment needs to be repaired - how urgent the need is - and who to report the problem to
• Is responsible for maintaining safety regulations and reporting problems to the appropriate persons during the irregular shift
• Employee is expected to prioritize the work - and to respond as quickly as possible to STAT requests in the department - on the units - in the Emergency Room - and in the Operating Room
• Employee expedites and prioritizes requests as they come across the computer
• Arranges with the Nursing Units and Emergency Room for patient transport to the department
• Reviews the request for completeness and correlates medical history
• If a discrepancy is noted - contacts the Nursing Unit and/or the Physician for clarification and resolution of the problem
• Makes daily inspections of the rooms and equipment to be sure they are clean and ready for exams to be done on the evening shift in Diagnostic X-ray and CT - as well as for the next day's work
• This includes availability of medications - contrast material and emergency supplies such as oxygen and suction equipment
• Employee will be working as a Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist and CT Technologist which will be required to perform all diagnostic X-Ray and CT exams in the department as well as doing portable exams
• Employee must be sure to enter data and close out exams necessary for the Radiologist to dictate the following day to assure close-out of exams for AMIS reports - daily statistics - and to assure proper reimbursement of billable exams
• Employee must send all STAT exams that are completed after hour and on weekends to the National Teleradiology Program (NTP) for immediate interpretation
• Employee must be able to operate - trouble-shoot problems and have a full understanding of the Digital Radiography systems and the CT scanners
• Must have a full understanding of which imaging algorithms best apply to the image taken and be able to recognize and apply the appropriate additional post processing and distribution of electronic images as needed or requested
• Must be able to take analog images and digitize them accurately including proper orientation of the image - contrast and brightness levels - and proper storage and archive of the image on the Digital Network (PACS)
• Must be able to query the archive library and recall previous images from both short-term storage and long-term archive
• Employee is a key player with the hospital stroke program
• Employee will ensure quick response to a Code Brain - perform a CT within 20 minutes of the code being called - and send to PACS and/or NTP for immediate interpretation and results for the Code Brain team
• Work Schedule: Irregular tour position (Weekends/Evenings/Nights) Compressed/Flexible: Service line discretion Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• 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 Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized