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Summary

The Advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (DRT) - Magnetic Resonance Imaging (M) - position is assigned to the Diagnostic & Therapeutic Care Line (DTC) MEDVAMC - Radiology Service - Magnetic Resonance Imaging section. Technologist at this level requires advanced education in Magnetic Resonance Imaging - ISTAT applications - insertion of intravenous catheter in patient's peripheral vein for IV contrast - injection training and knowledge of general imaging radiography.

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 Policy
• Certification
• All 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 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 examination
• In modalities that require advanced certification - to support their continued development - technologists who do not possess an advanced certification may be provided on the job training with oversight from a certified radiologic technologist
• Education
• 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)
• Credentialing Standards
• Public 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 Personnel
• Essentially - 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 field
• 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: Advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist - GS-10 (1) 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
• (2) Assignments
• For 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 time
• DRTs at this grade level may be appointed to one of the following assignments: Advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist
• Employees are trained to work in one or more difficult and complex modalities performing procedures related to these modalities as well as performing general diagnostic procedures
• At this grade level - any assignment in a single modality must demonstrate significant complexity
• Such assignments are unique - perhaps with expert specialization in complex areas of radiologic technology - Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) regulations - and intermediate QM type duties within the program
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs: i
• Knowledge of radiation protection standards - devices and techniques - including concepts of accumulated dosage - dose monitoring - and genetic changes
• ii
• 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
• iii
• Knowledge of basic physics including concepts of energy - electric power - magnetic fields - and properties of x-ray - to understand the operation of the equipment
• iv
• Knowledge and skill in positioning of patients for a wide variety of highly complex imaging (CT - MRI - IR - ultrasound - mammography) studies.] Preferred Experience: ARRT registered - minimum 3 years experience
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-10
• Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation - see Duties section for essential job duties of the position
• May require standing - lifting - carrying - sitting - stooping - bending - puling - and pushing
• May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment
• Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions
• the area is adequately lighted - heated - and ventilated
• However - the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional This specialty modality requires additional knowledge of super conducting magnets - the physics of superconducting magnets - and how they relate to the human anatomy in medical imaging
• The technologist must be educated in the safety factors governing a magnetic environment that patients - visitors - and equipment enter into
• The practitioner must have specific specialized knowledge of cross-sectional anatomy and how it relates to the soft tissues and vessels of the human body
• The technologist must also have a specialized knowledge in the radiofrequency surface coils required for each specific anatomical area to be imaged
• The technologist requires knowledge of image acquisition in Computerized/Digital Radiography (CR/DR) and Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS)
• This subspecialty requires advanced ARRT certification in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MR)
• Technologist serves as an operator of a super conductive magnetic resource unit
• The operator will be developing new techniques - defining optimal protocols - and devising alternative ways to visualize pathology within the patient
• Interaction with physician - physicists - computer programmers - and biomed engineers will be normal occurrences of the daily duties of the operator
• Technologist provides patient care - which is appropriate to the cognitive - emotional - and chronological maturation needs of the adult and/or geriatric patient
• Positions patient within the examiner unit (MRI) - monitors patient during all phases of the examination - and removes patient from the influence of the magnetic field upon completion of the data acquisition
• Coordinates with radiologist - MRSO and or physicist to determine the most ideal parameters to pulse the magnet for each individualized patient examination
• Programs technical factors by Interrogating computer console and responding with inputs that will result in the parameters of pulse form - pulse sequence - slice profile - etc
• Monitors the examination by checking Computations - performances - and results of the selected parameters to obtain the best diagnostic computer- generated data and images
• Technologist will perform all examination utilizing optimal technical proficiency - such as the utilization of imaging equipment - positioning - complete scanning anatomy - and following protocol
• MEDVAMC is a teaching institute which requires the technologist to assist/train radiologist - and other technologist/technicians - students from affiliated institutions - and other health care professionals in PACS
• Maintains supplies required for all MRI examinations
• Maintains records on all patients and examinations performed and contrast used by sending all completed exams to Vista and Carestream PACs for permanent storage
• Technologist is responsible to become knowledgeable of the mis-association policy (memo 114-033) as well as the MCP 00Q-007 that outlines how to properly identify patients
• Rotates between each MRI suite/scanner displaying technical proficiency with the equipment and the applications of the protocols
• Performs all aspects of MRI imaging of the spine - head - neck - chest - studies including but not limited to Head - Neck - Chest - Abdomen - Pelvis - and Extremities - utilizing specialized sequences to visualize the anatomy and pathology necessary for diagnosis
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 12:30pm-9:00pm - subject to change based on the needs of the facility
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• When 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 offer 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 experience
• Parental 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 child
• Child 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 $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: 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 position
• Functional Statement #: 01226F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized