Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist - CT

About the role

The Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist performs computerized tomography of the head, neck, spine, chest, and body. The purpose of these exams is to achieve diagnostic studies for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Responsibilities

• Schedules add-on exams to optimize scanner times while accommodating emergency cases.
• Confers with radiologists to determine non-standard exam requirements.
• Determines technical factors, positioning, number, and thickness of scans to produce and satisfy CT scanning requirements.
• Schedules add-on patients for examinations.
• Advises radiologists or referring physicians of examination results and notifies them of scans requiring immediate attention.
• Manipulates image data, utilizes multi-slice technology, generates diagnostic CTA, and multi-planar exams for interpretation.
• Pulls call for the facility and follows SOP 114-63 covering emergency direct patient care outside of regular business hours.
• Performs exams to completion in a timely manner and duties as assigned.
• Utilizes surgical sterile techniques for most exams, including the "scrub-in technique," preparation of surgical trays, supply of contrast, catheters, and guide wires, and ensuring sterile assurance of the patient and equipment.
• Performs off-tour coverage for staff annual leave, sick leave, holidays, and departmental/facility emergencies.

Requirements

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be authorized if it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens.
• Certification: Must be certified in general radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT) (R).
• Education: 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.
• English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Policy.

Qualifications

• Experience: At 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.
• Assignments: May be appointed to one of the following assignments: Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist.
• Major duties include scheduling add-on exams, conferring with radiologists, determining technical factors, scheduling add-on patients, advising radiologists or referring physicians, manipulating image data, utilizing multi-slice technology, generating diagnostic CTA, and multi-planar exams for interpretation.

Skills

• Ability to balance the needs of patients and staff while 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.
• 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.
• Specific knowledge and training in the location, appearance, and function of the various major and minor systems susceptible to radiological illumination, and the ability to interpret the examination request accurately, understand the functioning and inter-relationship of the various organs, and 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.

Benefits

None specified.

Pay

GS-9

Schedule

Days - Thursday to Saturday - every other Wednesday

Physical Requirements

• Visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity.
• Potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing.
• Exposure to infected patients and contaminated materials.
• Exposure to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders.
• Mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations and shifting priorities based on patient needs.
• Completes annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives

A recruitment incentive MAY be paid to a Highly Qualified candidate.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS)

Not Authorized.

Virtual

This is not a virtual position.