Career Center

Summary

This position is located at the 673rd MDG radiology department in Anchorage - AK. work involves performing many complex and highly complex examinations as part of a medical team under the general direction of a Radiologist. The purpose of the work is to provide diagnostic imaging exams using Radiographic MRI equipment and techniques for the diagnosis and treatment of clinical problems involving all areas of anatomy and all aspects of clinical medicine.

Qualifications

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
• English Language Proficiency
• DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d)
• 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 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• 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
• Education
• Completion of a full-time training course of at least 24 months in duration (or the 2 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)
• Grade Determinations: Advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (MRI) - GS-10
• Experience: At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-9) directly related to the position being filled that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level
• In addition to the experience listed above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical Knowledge - Skills - and abilities (KSAs): 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
• 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: Heavy lifting (45 lbs
• and over) - moderate lifting and carrying (15-44 lbs.) - light carrying (under 15 lbs.) - use of fingers - both hands - walking - standing - repeated bending - ability to see computer screen - hearing (aid may be permitted) - and exposure to hospital hazards
• Environmental factors include dry atmospheric conditions - silica - asbestos - etc
• working closely with others - working alone - and exposure to magnetic fields.

Duties

• This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 30 - 2026
• All eligible applicants will be reviewed and referred to the hiring manager at regular two-week intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis
• Duties include - but are not limited to: Perform radiographic examinations
• Uses various methods of data acquisition - including standard axial scanning - perform cluster scanning - and helical - spiral - or continuous scanning
• Perform image manipulation and display function such as retrospective reconstruction - multi-planar reformatting - and 3-dimensional reformatting
• Perform examinations of different anatomical parts of the body and vasculature with and without contrast materials as determined by the physician
• Set up exam room - assuring supplies - contrast materials - catheters - and other requested equipment is present
• Prepare and administer contrast materials under the general supervision of a Radiologist
• Establish IV lines and check for patency prior to injecting contrast materials as determined by the radiologist
• Maintain permanent storage of scans on optical disk or CD and has the ability to record and retrieve information from this archival system
• Determine technical factors - positioning - number - and thickness of scan cuts to satisfy the requirements of the examination
• Evaluate scans while in progress and notify the radiologist or referring physician of significant scans/studies requiring their immediate attention and visualization while patient is undergoing examination
• Maintain records of patients treated - examinations performed - views taken - settings used - contrast lot numbers - amount of contrast given and contrast reaction occurrence
• Maintain good patient care by checking IV's - catheter - monitors - and oxygen set-up throughout the patient's stay in the department
• Coordination of operation of auxiliary equipment such as suction - medical gases - the positioning of patients and operation of the basic x-ray equipment
• Use basic formulas to calculate technical factors
• Special procedure personnel are in contact with patients and their families - radiology employees such as hospital residents - staff radiologists - and ward clerks - nurses - doctors - and other ancillary personnel common to a hospital setting
• Explain procedures to patients and family members - providing reassurance and alleviating anxieties
• Responsible for providing support and troubleshooting system application and hardware issues related to digital image processing - storage - and display systems
• Performs VistA radiology - VistA imaging - and PACS support activities - which encompass general ADPAC duties such as user access control
• They coordinate contingency plans during equipment downtimes and initiate repair requests with the appropriate services or vendors to ensure minimal disruption to operations
• Oversees the functionality of PACS display workstations - speech recognition hardware - and other medical imaging hardware
• Training radiologists - technologists - and other clients in the use of imaging hardware and software for integrated PACS and VistA imaging systems is a key responsibility
• When necessary - the PACS Technologist may also function as a Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (DRT) - handling complex modalities such as CT - MR - mammography - ultrasound - and/or IR
• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - Clinic hours 7AM - 4PM - duty hours will be discussed during interview/selection process
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Available Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Available 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 #: 00000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized