Advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist - Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Summary

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. Program 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.

Duties

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Safeguards the MRI Scanning environment sufficient to always maintain a safe condition.
• Observes patient safety guidelines as set forth in department and Medical Center policies and procedures.
• Develops, maintains, and improves a system of examination protocols to standardize examination appearance, tailor the images obtained to the pathologic condition being investigated, and optimize the benefit to the patient being examined.
• Trains other personnel in MRI principles, procedures, capabilities, techniques, and equipment.
• Interprets requests and instructions from medical providers, under the guidance of the Radiologist.
• Identifies patient by confirming patient name and social security number.
• Interacts with patients to explain concepts and principles of the methodology and its use and limitations as a diagnostic tool.
• Prepares, labels, and administers contrast agents according to signed orders.
• Inserts appropriate IV catheters and uses automated or manual injection techniques according to signed contrast orders.
• Ensures proper timing of contrast injection and scanning sequences for desired vascular phase images.
• Positions the patient and adjusts cut planes for high quality views, considering patient's medical condition and abilities.
• Maintains adequate competency to adjust operator controllable parameters of the MRI equipment, ensuring correct exposure to magnetic fields, radio waves, or ionizing radiation.
• Maintains equipment and reports deviations in quality control tests and defects to relevant parties for repair or calibration.
• Maintains effective relationships with manufacturer service representatives.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements

• 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, accredited by JRCERT or recognized by DOE.
• Certified in general radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology, Radiography (ARRT) (R).
• Advanced ARRT certification in MR.

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 and recognize changes in equipment and procedures that might result in increased exposures, and 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 studies.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time off per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year).
• Parental Leave: Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
• Child Care Subsidy: 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.
• Telework: Not available.