Advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist - Interventional Radiography

Summary

As an Advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist, duties and responsibilities are carried out within the Imaging and Operating Room Departments of the Iowa City VA Health Care System. The Advanced DRT leads lower-level DRTs assigned to the specialty area and is accountable to the Medical Imaging Supervisor- Interventional Radiology or his/her designee. The Advanced DRT also participates in diagnostic assessments and evaluations in collaboration with Clinicians.

Qualifications

• Basic Requirements:

  • United States Citizenship
  • 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)
  • Credentialing Standards - 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
  • All applicants must be certified in general radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology - Radiography (ARRT) (R)
  • 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-10 Advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist Experience: 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

• Essential Functions:

  • 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

Experience

• 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

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (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

Duties

• Assist in maintaining control of the section by coordinating - organizing and executing the workload while identifying efficient workflow patterns within the department
• Trains new Technologist - students and staff on procedures - equipment operation and radiation safety practices
• Performs diagnostic and interventional procedures not limited to visceral - peripheral and cardiac angiography - thrombolysis and embolization requiring the use of needles - syringes - wires - catheters - balloons - stents and contrast mediums
• Performs scrub and circulating duties while assisting Physicians and is very knowledgeable in sterile technique and setup according to AORN standards
• Uses specialized equipment employed for digital subtraction systems to perform diagnostic angiographic procedures - complex vascular and nonvascular interventional and therapeutic procedures requiring additional knowledge of vascular systems and major vessel anatomy
• Interprets the requests or instructions from the Radiologist or Clinician - receives assignments for a variety of difficult examinations and can also work independently
• Understands and carries out the requests made by providers or seeks assistance from the Supervisor or Radiologist when an uncommon - unique - or new procedure is requested
• Administers contrast media under the supervision of the staff Clinician and confers with the Clinician to establish requirements with reference to contrast agents such as pertinent lab values - medications and patient hemodynamic status
• Operates programs used to analyze a variety of cardiac and vascular functions such as flow reserve - ejection fraction calculations and stenosis measurement
• Provides technical assistance and is responsible for operating equipment with Clinicians during all procedures including but not limited to intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) - intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) - instant wave-free ratio (iFR) - mechanical thrombectomy - angioplasty - stenting - coiling - pacemaker and ICD placement and EP procedures such as radio frequency and cryotherapy ablation
• Performs other related duties as assigned or as directed by the section Supervisor
• Maintains - operates - trouble-shoots and reports equipment failures as appropriate

Pay

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA

Total Rewards

• Major duties include - but are not limited to:
• Assists in maintaining control of the section by coordinating - organizing and executing the workload while identifying efficient workflow patterns within the department
• Trains new Technologist - students and staff on procedures - equipment operation and radiation safety practices
• Performs diagnostic and interventional procedures not limited to visceral - peripheral and cardiac angiography - thrombolysis and embolization requiring the use of needles - syringes - wires - catheters - balloons - stents and contrast mediums
• Performs scrub and circulating duties while assisting Physicians and is very knowledgeable in sterile technique and setup according to AORN standards
• Uses specialized equipment employed for digital subtraction systems to perform diagnostic angiographic procedures - complex vascular and nonvascular interventional and therapeutic procedures requiring additional knowledge of vascular systems and major vessel anatomy
• Interprets the requests or instructions from the Radiologist or Clinician - receives assignments for a variety of difficult examinations and can also work independently
• Understands and carries out the requests made by providers or seeks assistance from the Supervisor or Radiologist when an uncommon - unique - or new procedure is requested
• Administers contrast media under the supervision of the staff Clinician and confers with the Clinician to establish requirements with reference to contrast agents such as pertinent lab values - medications and patient hemodynamic status
• Operates programs used to analyze a variety of cardiac and vascular functions such as flow reserve - ejection fraction calculations and stenosis measurement
• Provides technical assistance and is responsible for operating equipment with Clinicians during all procedures including but not limited to intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) - intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) - instant wave-free ratio (iFR) - mechanical thrombectomy - angioplasty - stenting - coiling - pacemaker and ICD placement and EP procedures such as radio frequency and cryotherapy ablation
• Performs other related duties as assigned or as directed by the section Supervisor
• Maintains - operates - trouble-shoots and reports equipment failures as appropriate