Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (MR)

About the role

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for reading, understanding, and following all Jesse Brown VA Medical Center and Radiology policies and procedures and maintaining compliance in all requirements essential to maintaining their position.
• Assumes various rotating schedules as determined by the Operations Manager, Radiology Service.
• Performs all aspects of MRI imaging head, neck, spine, abdomen, pelvis, musculoskeletal, special imaging procedures such as Arthrograms, MRA/MRV angiography exams utilizing specialized sequences to visualize the anatomy and pathology necessary for diagnosis.
• Maintains Level 1 and Level 2 MRI safety training.
• Screens patients, caregivers, medical providers, and all others who enter the MRI suite for contraindications for entering Zone IV.
• Ensures that MRI patients are screened in advance for any contraindicating conditions including renal function for patients requiring contrast agents per Radiology service policy.
• Explains exams and risks to competent patients so the patient understands what is to be done as well as what hazards, if any, are possible.
• Operates and maximizes utilization of a wide variety of highly sophisticated imaging equipment including but not limited to Power Injectors, 3D Reconstruction Software, Siemens 1.5T Symphony and Siemens 3T Skyra MRI scanners.
• Determines technical factors such as repetition time, TE, bandwidth, field of view, slice thickness, etc. to produce high quality images and satisfy requirements of MR exams.
• Maintains competence in Venipuncture and refer to the Radiology Service procedure manual for guidelines on MRI Safety, Administration of Contrast Media, and all other relevant Radiology policies and procedures.
• Prepares contrast materials under the direction of the Radiologist that are used in MRI, to include general, specialized, MR Angiography, and all other exams. Improper use or administration of the contrast materials run the risk of patient mortality.
• Affirms that appointments are scheduled/rescheduled within the appropriate time frames as outlined in hospital directives or memoranda.
• Receives and interprets all radiology requests for accuracy, appropriateness; date desired and maintains a thorough knowledge of the ordering process in CPRS.
• Reviews imaging orders screening information for accuracy, noting and researching all questionable information prior to contacting the patient or performing the exam.
• Maintains stock and inventory of all supplies, notifies Supervisor when supplies are not available and monitors expiration dates to ensure all items are within compliance.
• Properly identifies patient images by using the HIS/RIS patient identification lists, R & L markers, correct amount and type of contrast administered, timelines for any timed examinations, patient position and all other identifying markers for that view/scan.
• Properly identifies areas of interest on all images, if applicable. This is essential so that mistaken identity of patient images does not occur.
• Promptly reports all accidents and notifies supervisor of unsafe/unhealthful conditions in the workplace.
• Attends scheduled training sessions and participates in facility or service-level safety promotions as directed by supervisor.
• Performs other assigned duties.

Requirements

Work Schedule: 10:00am to 6:30pm with Weekends and on call rotations. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Qualifications

• Basic Requirements:
• English Language Proficiency.
• Certification: All applicants must be certified in general radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology, Radiography (ARRT) (R).
• Education: Applicants must have 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, 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).
• Experience: At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade GS-09 level directly related to the position being filled that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level.
• AND,
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
• Knowledge of radiation protection standards, devices and techniques, including concepts of accumulated dosage, dose monitoring, and genetic changes.
• Ability to utilize advanced imaging software that supports complex imaging programs and recognize changes in equipment and procedures that might result in increased exposures, and ability to 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 (CT, MRI, IR, ultrasound, mammography) studies.