Advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist - MRI/CT

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

Major duties

DUTIES:

• The incumbent performs computed tomography (CT) and MRI examinations on all body regions, including 3-dimensional reconstructions, maximum intensity projections, and CT angiography.
• General diagnostic radiography to include, but not limited to diagnostic x-rays of all body regions, bone-length examinations, and bone surveys.
• Technical work in support of diagnostic radiology under the direction of a physician. The technologist operates various types of radiographic equipment in the Imaging Service and on the floor.
• Supports radiologists or other medical officers to produce diagnostic radiographic studies used to diagnose medical conditions.

Computed Tomography (CT) The incumbent will:

• Interpret requests or instructions from radiologist or providers.
• Verify orders with patient history. If patient is unable to give history, the technologist will verify the order with the patient medical record and clarify any discrepancy with the ordering provider before proceeding with the examination.
• Properly identify the patient and the image. Use left and right markers. This is essential so that mistaken identity does not occur. The technologist must ask the patients full name, full social security number, and birth date.
• Explain procedures, positions patients for desired results, and cushions patients as appropriate. Provide education to patients and their families on Imaging procedure
• Prepare oral, rectal, and injectable contrast materials and other chemical mixtures as necessary.
• Administer contrast material, under the direction of the radiologist, according to protocols.
• Maximize patient throughput by contacts with escort, ward secretaries, nursing personnel, etc.
• The incumbent must also be aware of and practice the safety policies/procedures of the medical center and participate in quality assurance activities as directed.
• Will perform multiplanar reformations, 3-dimensional reconstructions, maximum intensity projections, and CT angiography.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) The incumbent will:

• Perform or monitor safety checks on patients, employees, and visitors to comply with FDA safety standards regarding ferrous objects and cardiac pacemakers prior to those persons entering the environment of the five (5) Gauss magnetic field.
• Interacts with patients, explains exam procedures, positions patients within the MRI scanner, monitors patients during all phases of the examination, and records all patient exam information for permanent record.
• Checks medications and contrast allergies prior to administering contrast material and documents in patient record.
• Adhere to all MRI standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Perform technical operation and general technical maintenance of the computer, console, imaging devices, etc. The incumbent assists manufacturer representatives and biomedical engineers in the calibration and troubleshooting of malfunctions in the equipment, notifies the Immediate Supervisor of any failure or required service
• Is responsible for the quality assurance of the image (positioning/label/technique/network information) prior to transmission to the PAC's network.

Work Schedule: Variable as to needs of the Service. (This person would be rotating shifts to cover weekends/eve/days as needed for service coverage.) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 25052F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact visn5edrpcoordinators@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Available

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. 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: Education Requirements listed under Education English Language Proficiency: DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). GRADE REQUIREMENTS Creditable Experience:

1. Knowledge of Current Radiologic Technology Practice. To be creditable, experience must have demonstrated possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics (also referred to as clinical competencies) associated with current radiologic technology practice. This may have been evidenced by the equivalent of one year of active practice, which is paid or non- paid employment as a DRT as defined by ARRT.
2. Quality of Experience. Experience is only creditable if it was earned after completion of the basic certification requirements identified in paragraph 2b above. Experience as a graduate DRT is creditable provided the candidate functioned as a DRT and subsequently passed the certification examination.

Specialized Assignments: Specialized areas of radiologic technology include general diagnostic radiologic technology (R), bone densitometry (BD), mammography (M), diagnostic ultrasound (S), computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MR), interventional radiologic technology (IR), quality management (QM), picture archival communication system (PACS) technologist, MRI safety officer (MRSO), imaging administrator, clinical program director, and clinical instructor. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MR): This specialty modality requires additional knowledge of superconducting magnets, the physics of superconducting magnets, and how they relate to the human anatomy in medical imaging. The technologist must be educated in the safety factors governing a magnetic environment that patients, visitors, and equipment enter. The practitioner must have specialized knowledge of cross sectional anatomy and how it relates to the soft tissues and vessels of the human body. The technologist must also have specialized knowledge in the radio-frequency surface coils required for each specific anatomical area to be imaged. This assignment may also perform basic magnetic resonance safety program duties. Technologists must be knowledgeable in contrast media, power injectors, and PACS. DRT assignments that include performance of independent duties in this subspecialty require advanced ARRT (MR)certification. 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. Grade Determinations In addition to the basic requirements for appointment, the following criteria MUST be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates: GS-10 Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist Experience: At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-09), directly related to the position being filled that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level. Experience at the GS-09 level includes: 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 and MUST DEMONSTRATE ALL demonstrate all of the following technical GS-9 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.
• iv. 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 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: ARRT credentialed and working in Xray, CT, MRI 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-10. Physical Requirements are listed under Additional Information

Education

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). NOTE: Assignment to the clinical program director requires meeting JRCERT minimum educational standards as noted in the assignment description. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Requirements

RESUME REQUIREMENTS: Your resume MUST include the following information:

1. Job Title (for each position)
2. Description of duties (be as detailed as possible)
3. Month and year start/end dates (e.g. June 2018 to April 2020) of employment
4. Full-time or Part-time status and include average hours worked per week

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.