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Advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist - MRI / CT

Direct Jobs, Tucson, Arizona, United States, 85718

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Summary This position is located at the SAVAHCS Tucson Imaging Department under the Diagnostic Imaging Service Line. This position will provide MRI /CT Imaging for the Imaging Service. This position reports to Supervisory Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist. The incumbent will be responsible to perform examinations in the Magnetic Resonance Imaging suite and CT Imaging suites - PET/CT. On-Call is required.

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.

United States Citizenship:

Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy

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

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).

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

Loss of Credential:

An employee in this occupation who fails to obtain certification within two years - or who fails to maintain the required certification must be removed from the occupation - which may also result in termination of employment

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:

Advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist GS-10 At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-9) - directly related to the position being filled that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level

Employees 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 - Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) regulations - and intermediate QM type duties within the program

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

Preferred Experience:

One year MRI/CT experience

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/

Physical Requirements:

Light to Moderate lifting and carrying - up to 44 pounds Straight pulling and/or reaching above shoulders Use of both hands and fingers required Walking - standing - crawling and/or kneeling Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4 Depth perception and ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors hearing (aid permitted)

Duties

Major duties include - but are not limited to: MRI - Incumbent will be required to perform all aspects of MRI

Monitor patient during all phases of the examination - removing the patient from the influence of the magnetic field upon completion of the data acquisition

Coordinate with the radiologist and physicist to determine the most ideal pulse sequences and other parameters necessary to accomplish a high quality examination

Program all technical factors by integrating computer console and choose the most effective coil for producing the correct signal

Record all computer data - scanning data - on film - or optical disc - and PACS

Maintains all monitoring data pertinent to patient and equipment information and usage

Performs and maintains a monitoring system for quality assurance purposes and complies with FDA Safety Standards regarding ferrous objects and cardiac pacemakers prior to these persons entering the environment of the 5 gauss magnetic field

Utilizing VISTA (Radiology Package) will schedule - register and status track all exams

Must maintain CPR certification - Will ensure that all images are sent to VISTA/RAD upon completion of examination - Reports all equipment problems to Supervisory Diagnostic Technologist or Chief Technologist

Employee has a responsibility to recognize and exhibit good safety practices - to comply with published and communicate safety procedures to immediately report observed safety infractions and unsafe working conditions

Proactively identifies administrative - clinical or mechanical problems - and defines solutions thereof

Treats patients and visitors with courtesy and respect

Performs assigned duties with no supervision during irregular hours to insure adequate patient examinations

The incumbent advises the Radiologist of those examinations which require immediate attention while the patient is still undergoing the examination

The incumbent assists the radiologist in the administration of contrast material agents

The incumbent is responsible for setting up and positioning patients - provides immobilization devices - selects proper technical factors on an individual patient basis and operates the equipment

New equipment will be evaluated and new methods will be compared with existing methods

Interaction with physicians - scientists - physicists - computer programmers and manufacturers' technical design engineers will be a normal occurrence of the daily duties of the operator - along with patient interactions

Monitor the examination by checking computations - performances and results of the selected parameters - to obtain the best diagnostic computer data and images

The incumbent performs clinical analysis of data recorded by the computer and records the computer data on film - magnetic tape and printer plotter paper or PACS

The incumbent uses computer programs with competence - and establishes and monitors quality control programs

Maintains operations log - maintenance and service reports

Maintains files on patient - computer data - and technical parameters of each examination

Ability to start IV's for contrast administration

Computed Tomography (CT) scans: Examinations include - but are not limited to - CT examinations of the chest, abdomen, pelvis, head, extremities, neck, CT‑A and multiple reconstruction formats

The incumbent will also assist the radiologist in performing interventional procedures under CT guidance

Transfer patients from stretcher or wheelchair to radiographic table - Prepares oral and injectable contrast (IV contrast for injector) - Follow prescribed protocols required to perform procedures - Observes patients during procedures and reports complications or unusual events - Performs daily maintenance of head and body phantoms - Administer contrast material - completes forms (Patient Information Sheet - Consent form) under the direction of the radiologist - according to protocols

Check and make minor adjustments to equipment as needed/reports major problems/concerns to supervisor - Practice hospital safety - radiation safety - infection control and universal precautions at all times in accordance with age and/or gender specific departmental procedures - The incumbent is responsible for the quality assurance of the images (positioning/label/technique/network information) prior to transmission to the PAC's network

The incumbent assists house staff in use of VISTA/IMAGING and transmits images to off site location for after‑hour reads

Provide education to patients and their families on Imaging procedures

Work Schedule: Monday to Friday - 12:30 pm to 9:00 pm

The incumbent will also participate in on‑call to provide 24 hour - 7 day a week

Will also participate in the departmental in‑service program

Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position

Functional Statement #: 000000

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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