Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist

Overview The Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist position is assigned to the White River Junction VA Medical Center - Imaging Service; General Radiology in the VA Medical Center. This is a general medical and surgical facility - classified as a Level 2 facility. It is a teaching hospital - providing a full range of patient care services - with state-of-the-art technology as well as education and limited research. This DRT will perform General Radiology duties 75% of the time and MRI duties 25% of the time.

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

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) 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) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates

Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist GS-9 Experience

At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-8) - directly related to the position being filled 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

Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist

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

Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills and Abilities

The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment-specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): *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

References: VA Handbook 5005/119 PART II APPENDIX G25

The full performance level of this job series is GS-9. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is a GS-9

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 extended periods of time. English Language Proficiency: DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d).

Duties

The Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (DRT) employee at this level is fully functional as a DRT and is able to carry out the assigned tasks independently

The team member will have a varying assignment including special and complex radiographic examinations and procedures within the General Radiology section - with and without the use of contrast materials

The objective of these exams and procedures is to produce radiographic studies which are used in medical diagnosis and interpreted by Radiologists to locate injuries - foreign bodies - pathological conditions or lesions within the body so that proper diagnosis and treatment may be obtained

Duties include but are not limited to

Functions (Advanced DRT) Accurately operates a wide variety of imaging equipment to obtain examinations of acceptable quality

This includes but is not limited to: Fluoroscopic and General Diagnostic exams - Portable Radiography - Portable Fluoroscopy - Operating Room and all other duties assigned

Knowledge of anatomy and physiology including location - appearance - and functioning of the major and minor systems susceptible to radiographic illumination and knowledge of changes to systems and organs caused by common medical and surgical diseases

Prepares contrast materials under the direction of the radiologist for the purpose of performing exams requiring injectable or consumable solutions such as UGI's - BE's - Small Bowel - Modified Barium Swallows - Venograms - Cystograms - Cholangiograms - Fistulagrams - Arthrography - etc

Improper use or administration of the contrast materials run the risk of patient mortality and - therefore - it is essential that a thorough understanding of the contrast material usage is possessed by those who prepare it

In addition - the technologist must be continuously on the alert to the patient's condition and other disorders

Reactions on the part of the patient require immediate attention so that harm does not come to the patient

Technologist must be familiar with policies and procedures for practicing radiation safety in order to reduce exposure to patients - staff and self

Adheres to Radiation Safety guidelines - properly determines applying technical factors to ensure ALARA dose optimization - positioning - required views - etc

to produce and satisfy requirements for diagnostic imaging

Work Schedule: Full Time

Tour of Duty: Monday - Friday 08:00 am - 04:30 pm Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position

Functional Statement #:405-F01566 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required 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)

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)

Notifications: This position is in the Excepted Service

This position is not a Bargaining Unit position

Due to a critical staffing shortage - 38 U.S.C. 7412 waives the requirement to apply Veterans' preference for this job announcement

This position has a special salary rate.

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