Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist

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. Qualifications Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA PolicyCertificationAll 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 applicableEducationCompletion 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 StandardsPublic 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 PersonnelEssentially - 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 fieldEnglish Language ProficiencyDRTs 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-8 Experience: At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that levelAssignmentsEmployees at this grade level serve as staff DRTs at the full performance levelCandidates at this grade level must be qualified to independently provide services in specialized areas of radiologic technology and/or general radiologic technology services with only occasional oversight or direction for highly complex issuesDemonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and AbilitiesIn addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Ability to check system for operation and assess acceptable performance based on established guidelinesKnowledge of calibration parameters and the ability to make adjustments as neededKnowledge of patient's clinical record - diagnosis - and laboratory resultsAbility to monitor patient's physiologic changes during the procedure and keep the radiologist informedSkill in using tact - diplomacy - and courtesy in dealings with the customer base - patients - staff - family - visitors - and volunteersKnowledge of anatomy and physiology - and cross-sectional anatomy - recognizing unusual images - and determining proper positioning to best demonstrate areas of interestAll qualifying experience you possess must be clearly described in your application packageWe will not make assumptions when reviewing applicationsFailure to demonstrate your experience in your resume may result in disqualificationIt is strongly recommended that you write to each KSA in your application packageReference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-8. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. Duties Total Rewards of an Allied Health Professional This Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist assigned to Imaging Services must be qualified to independently provide services in specialized areas of radiologic technology and/or general radiologic technology - requiring only occasional oversight or direction for highly complex issuesThe incumbent will also provide optimum patient care to the veterans while they are in the care of the technologistTypical duties may include - but are not limited to: Assists radiologists in the less complex fluoroscopic examinationsPrepares contrast materials under the direction of the radiologist for the purpose of performing exams requiring injectable solutions such as IVP - cystogram - Cholangiograms - fistulagrams - and arthrography and for the purpose of performing oral and rectal exams of the GI tractResponsible to the radiologists and supervisor for the quality and quantity of radiographic exams performed in order to assure a high level of acceptability of radiographic images while minimizing patient dosagePractices radiation safety in order to reduce exposure to patient - staff and selfThis is achieved using lead aprons - lead gloves - lead shields - lead-lined walls and collimation and following ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable)Maintains records and files of exams performed on patientsEdits and when necessary registers patients in the computerized Radiology Information System (RIS) as well as the work list management portion of the HIS-RIS interfaceProperly identifies the patient and the imageUses left and right markersThis is essential to prevent mistaken patient identityResponsible to explain exams to competent patients so that the patient understands what is to be done as well as what hazards - if any - are possiblePerforms radiographic exams at the bedside and in the operating rooms providing diagnostic images to the surgeons and professional staff on patients that are unable to be imaged in the Radiology Service due to incapacity or in a surgical settingResponsible for cleanliness and stocking adequate levels of supplies in assigned areasDue to technical demands and nature of the studies performed - the incumbent will be required to provide technical emergency coverage after normal duty hours for Diagnostic Radiology section of Imaging servicesWork Schedule: Monday-Friday - 8:00am - 4:30pmRotating weekends and holidaysWork schedule is subject to change based on agency needsRecruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not AuthorizedPermanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not AuthorizedEDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentiveContact vhaedrpprogramsupport@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistanceLearn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increasesWhen 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 (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)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)Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experienceParental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a childChild Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full-time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% in contributions by VAInsurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual positionFunctional Statement #: 62858F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.