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. 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. 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), 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 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). Exception for Non-Certified, Entry Level Candidates. Non-certified DRTs who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for ARRT (R) certification may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate DRT under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B). The appointing official may waive the requirement of certification for a period not to exceed two years for a DRT that provides care under the supervision of a certified DRT at or above the full performance level. This exception only applies at the GS-5 entry level technician. For grade levels above the entry level, the candidate must be certified. Temporary appointments of non-certified DRTs may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment. 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. English Language Proficiency. DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). 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-9 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 interrelationship 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. 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: 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. 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. 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. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9. Preferred Experience: Able to work independently. References: VA Handbook 5005/119 PART II APPENDIX G25 December 13, 2019 Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. In accordance with Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO) Bulletin, Annual Determination of Staffing Shortages dated September 30, 2022; Diagnostic Radiologic Technologists (DRTs), 0647 (all specializations are included) are not subject to Veterans Preference. This will continue until September 30, 2023. Veterans Preference will not be collected for this announcement. ["Functions include but not limited to: Performs all manner of general radiographic examinations. A thorough knowledge of radiographic positioning and anatomy must be possessed by the Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist. Performs all manner of CT examinations. The CT Technologist must possess knowledge of anatomy and physiology in order to produce the more complex and complicated CT examinations. Prepares contrast materials under the direction of the radiologist for the purpose of performing CT examinations and radiographic examinations requiring injectable contrast and enteric contrast. The radiographer must know the effects and adverse reactions of contrast media. Maintains effective control of Radiology and CT area by coordinating, planning, organizing and executing the daily work potential to expedite workflow patterns within the departments on the wards, ER, and in surgery. Works independently in Surgery, MPU, Pain clinic, and while doing portable examinations. Schedules patient for exams and maintains daily log of patients and procedures to be incorporated into statistical management workload profiles. Enters patients into the Computerized Patient Record System. Performs Quality Control procedures, which may include (but not exclusively) the following: Daily tube warm up and calibration Lead apron & glove radiation attenuation/penetration survey Daily computer file maintenance Reject/repeat film analysis Radiographic equipment mA linearity and reproducibility CT air calibrations CT phantom scan for ring artifact Keeps abreast of technological advances in the fields of Radiology and CT and incorporates these advances into in-service educational programs for the nursing and physician staff and other technologists on procedures, operation and/or maintenance of new and existing medical equipment. Stays up to date on all Joint Commission Patient Safety goals and how they apply to Radiology Knowledge of basic nursing practices and first aid as related to radiology including: emergency cardiac arrest procedures, principles of hypodermic, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and intravenous injections, sterile operating procedures, and universal precautions. Troubleshoots equipment used in Radiology and CT and is able to make minor repairs and/or adjustments. Exercises extreme caution in the handling and safeguarding of all radiation producing equipment. Must recognize and report major equipment malfunctions within a timely manner to Biomedical service representative. Performs all darkroom procedures such as loading and unloading film cassettes into a Laser Printer. Regularly inspects laser printer and film cassettes, cleans and inspects intensifying screens used in both CR-computed radiography and film cassettes. Supervises and cross trains Radiologic Technologists in the more complex CT procedures on off tours of duty. Supervises and trains rotating x-ray students in CT and diagnostic radiology. Supervises and trains volunteers working within the CT department. Responsible for explaining exams to competent patients. Receives and interprets all radiology requests. Inputs pertinent radiology information into computer, and registers requests, cancels, and edits exams via the computerized patient record system (CPRS). Properly identifies patient images and exams. Practices radiation safety in order to reduce exposure to patients, staff and self. Ability to vary tests or treatment procedures as needed to compensate for patient's age, individual medical conditions, and body habitus. Interviews patient obtaining pertinent medical history and precise medication usage as it pertains to the procedure to be performed. Responsible for Maintaining adequate supplies and pharmaceuticals used in the department. Schedules exams in a manner so as to optimize CT scanner times while maintaining flexibility for emergency case. Confers with radiologist to establish requirements of all CT examinations and advises radiologists of patient's Nephrologic condition (BUN, Creatine). Assists radiologists during CT guided biopsies, drainages, and aspirations. Notifies Radiologist immediately when scans require attention such as ER exams. Is/ May be required to participate in an active on-call schedule or rotate weekends on a regular basis and work in CT or Diagnostic Radiology consistently on the weekly basis. Detailed duties listed within functional statement. Work Schedule: To be discussed with Hiring Manager Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 40180F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact VISN9HREDRP@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
