Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist - GS-0647-08

About the role

This position is located at McDonald Army Health Center, Fort Eustis, Virginia. Fort Eustis is located near Newport News, VA. Since the turn of the 19th century, Newport News has been known as the provider of the nation's finest, technologically advanced military ships. In more recent years, Newport News has also become a center for international commerce, research and technology. Our economy is strengthened by a strong military presence in Hampton Roads, and in Newport News, we are proud to be home of the U.S. Army Transportation Center at Fort Eustis.

Responsibilities

• Serves as a Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (GS-0647-08) in a general medical and surgical hospital, independently performing complex and highly specialized procedures.
• Aids in developing, maintaining, and reviewing a quality improvement (QI) and quality control (QC) programs.
• Serves as a consultant to other medical treatment facilities (MTF departments) that perform radiologic procedures.
• Independently makes examinations after conferring with the radiologist to establish the examination requirements.
• Schedules, receives, and reviews requests from physicians and other healthcare providers for examinations.
• Determines the condition(s) at issue and the procedures and equipment to best meet the needs of the individual case.
• Explains procedures to patient and family.
• Starts intravenous fluids and monitors all devices.
• Recognizes the significance of all structures and the differences between artifact and normal pathology.
• Ensures compliance with accrediting and regulatory requirements such as the American College of Radiology, Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT), Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), etc.
• Helps to develop internal monitors and coordinates and conducts studies to evaluate the quality and appropriateness of patient care provided by the radiology department.
• Performs the full range of diagnostic examinations/procedures, including but not limited to: neuro, chest, abdominal, chest, pediatric, extremity, body, muscular skeletal.
• Selects proper technical settings and scan protocol from computer menu.
• Administers oral and intravenous contrast material observing Universal Precautions, as indicated by exam protocol, interview and screening process.
• Prints images on an as needed basis and processes films in automatic film processor; archives images onto MOD and with AGFA Archive system.
• Interviews and screens patients concerning sensitivity to contrast material.
• Assists radiologist in determining type and volume of I.V. contrast material to be administered.
• Provides radiation protection in accordance with prescribed safety standards to staff and patients.
• Evaluates images with radiologist to determine use of contrast or additional images.
• Assists radiologists during guided biopsy and aspiration procedures.
• Responsible for obtaining optimal images to provide the Radiologist with information to assure that an accurate diagnosis is rendered.
• Ensures that all patient records are complete and signed prior to examination or procedures being performed.
• Maintains equipment status indicators to prevent damage and liaisons with GE and MEDRAD for equipment maintenance.
• Performs daily quality control checks of scanner.
• Checks emergency equipment and drugs for missing and/or expired items.
• Identifies required improvements, recommends corrective action, works with appropriate personnel to correct deficiencies, performs follow-up monitoring to establish whether the quality of care was improved by the actions taken or whether further action is required.
• Helps supervisor to investigate, evaluate, and document all QI/QA problems or actions within the department as having a significant impact on the quality of patient care, and prepares reports on any event or incident related to the quality of service provided by the department.
• Consults with physicians, nurses, and other medical personnel, officials and managers within the hospital and at high organizational levels to resolve problems in the area of risk management, quality control, instrumentation, test reporting, surveys, equipment evaluations, safety and personnel.
• Assists the supervisor in developing quality control procedures for new radiologic examinations as they are introduced into the Radiology Department and modifies existing procedures as the need arises.
• Formulates and maintains record keeping in conjunction with the MQM quality assurance system in the Radiology Department.
• Develops and maintains QI SOP and QC/QA portions of SOP manuals.
• Designs forms necessary to comply with JCAHO, Inspector General (IG), American Board of Radiology (ABR), and Department of Radiology needs.
• Reviews current literature for improved QI/QA/QC procedures.
• Evaluates new protocols to determine their suitability for local use.
• Consults with radiology manager and Chief, Radiology in the development and implementation of the joint MDIS system.
• Instructs medical, professional, and paraprofessional personnel in the theoretical and practical aspects of quality assurance and quality control in the Radiology Department as it relates to PAC systems.
• Conducts staff visits to other departments in the MTF concerning diagnostic radiology.
• Maintains/reviews radiologic procedures, control systems, workload reporting methods, and training programs to ensure compliance with regulator agencies for accreditation.
• Recommends changes and modifications to better meet radiology department requirements; advises concerned personnel on regulations and policies to be observed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Basic Requirement: Must be a licensed Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (GS-0647-08) by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).
• Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes performing radiographic procedures or examinations, setting up the x-ray room, or preparing or administering contrast materials. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-07).
• Education: One full year of graduate level education in a field directly related to the work of the position, such as Diagnostic Radiology/Radiography.
• Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%.