Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist - CT

Summary The Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist Performs computerized tomography of the head - neck spine - chest and body - and uses contrast materials. The purpose of these exams is to achieve diagnostic studies to bring about proper diagnosis and treatment. The incumbent is required to perform radiographic examinations in three areas: (1) general radiography - (2) Operating room radiography - and (3) Computerized Tomography. Recruitment incentive MAY be authorized to a Highly Qualified candidate. 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 PolicyCertification: All applicants must be certified in general radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology (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 examinationEducation: Completion of a full-time training course of at least 24 months duration (or the equivalent) in a post-high school diagnostic radiologic technology program - evidenced by a certificate or an associate's degree - accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) or from schools accredited by the ARRT and certification by the ARRT in radiologyEnglish Language Proficiency: Diagnostic Radiologic Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with the VA PolicyMay 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)All persons employed in VHA as a DRT on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title - series and grade held - including positive education and certification that are part of the basic requirements of the DRT occupationFor employees who do not meet all of the basic requirements in this standard - but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it - the following provisions apply: (1) DRTs that require a certification - may be reassigned - promoted up to and including the full performance (journeyman) level - or changed to lower grade within the occupation - but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions(2) DRTs that require a certification only at higher grade levels must meet the certification requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels(3) DRTs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed - on a temporary or permanent basis - until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard(4) DRTs initially grandfathered into this occupation - who subsequently obtain additional education and/or certification that meet all of the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation(5) Employees who are retained as a DRT under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry as a DRTGrade Determinations: Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist - GS-9 ExperienceAt least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level - directly related to the position being filled that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level.(2) AssignmentsFor 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 timeDRTs at this grade level may be appointed to one of the following assignments:(a) Diagnostic Radiologic TechnologistEmployees at this level are fully functional as an advanced DRT and carry out their assigned tasks independentlyDRTs 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 programRegardless 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 levelThe candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment-specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): i*Ability to balance the needs of patients and staff while still performing complex scans and proceduresiiKnowledge of techniques for gathering relevant information from the medical record - significant others - and health care providersiii*Ability to assess factors that may contraindicate the procedureivKnowledge of basic first aid and basic life support practices related to radiographyvKnowledge of physical assessment - aseptic techniques - intravenous methods and techniques and universal precautionsviKnowledge of pre-procedural - procedural - and post-procedural care of patientsComputed 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 examinationsThe technologist requires specific knowledge and training in the location - appearance - and function of the various major and minor systems susceptible to radiological illuminationto interpret the examination request accuratelyto understand the functioning and inter-relationship of the various organsto 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 physicianReference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9. Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity - keen hearing - clear distinctive speech - and manual dexterityThis position requires potentially long periods of continued walking - standing - stooping - sitting - bending - pulling - and pushingTransferring patients and objects may be requiredThe incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive proceduresThe incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium - dementia - or psychiatric disordersThe incumbent must be a mature - flexible - sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations - able to shift priorities based on patient needsMust complete annual Employee Health requirements - such as annual TB screening or testing - as a condition of employment. Duties Major duties include but are not limited to: Schedules add-on exams in a manner so as to optimize scanner times while maintaining flexibility for emergency casesThis requires the ability to prioritize scheduled patients as well as the ability to accommodate the emergency patient who may need immediate emergency surgery - etcConfers with radiologists to determine requirement of non-standard examsDetermines technical factors - positioning - number and thickness of scans - etc. - to produce and satisfy requirements of CT scanningSchedules add-on patients for examinationsAdvises radiologists or referring physicians of examination resultsNotifies them of scans requiring their immediate attentionProficiently manipulates image data - utilizes multi-slice technology - generates diagnostic CTA - and multi-planar exams for interpretationRequired to pull call for the facility and follow SOP 114-63 Covering Emergency Direct Patient Care Outside of Regular Business HourMay be required to provide off tour coverage for staff annual leave - sick leave - holidays and departmental/facility emergenciesPerforms exams to completion in a timely manner - and duties as assignedPerforms most exams utilizing surgical sterile techniquesThis requires \"scrub-in technique -\" preparation of surgical trays - preparation of contrast - supplying of catheters and guide wires - sterile assurance of the patient and equipment that may come in contact with the sterile field with the purpose of assuring that all preventive measures have been taken to prevent contamination of the patientWork Schedule: Days - Thursday to Saturday - every other Wednesday Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual positionFunctional Statement #: 40469-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized - a recruitment incentive MAY be paid to a Highly Qualified candidatePermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized