Career Center

Summary

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

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
• English Language Proficiency
• DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and7407(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 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)
• NOTE: Assignment to the clinical program director requires meeting JRCERT minimum educational standards as noted in the assignment description
• Physical Requirements
• The physical demands of the work include: Heavy lifting - 45 pounds and over
• moderate carrying - 15-44 pounds
• pushing up to 4 hours
• reaching above shoulder
• use of fingers - good dexterity (both hands required)
• prolonged walking - prolonged standing
• repeated bending
• ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20
• ability to distinguish basic colors
• hearing (aid permitted)
• speed in working
• and emotional stability
• Must have the ability to stand and work while wearing a lead apron for possibly long periods of time
• Work is performed in a health care setting
• Work may involve exposure to infection and possible contagious diseases
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 for additional details
• 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)
• Creditable Experience (1) Knowledge of Current Radiologic Technology Practice
• To be creditable - experience must have demonstrated possession of the knowledge - skills - abilities - and other characteristics (also referred to as clinical competencies) associated with current radiologic technology practice
• This may have been evidenced by the equivalent of 1 year of active practice - which is paid or non-paid employment as a DRT as defined by ARRT
• (2) Quality of Experience
• Experience is only creditable if it was earned after completion of the basic certification requirements identified in paragraph 2b above
• Experience as a graduate DRT is creditable provided the candidate functioned as a DRT and subsequently passed the certification examination
• (3) Part-Time Experience
• Part-time experience as a DRT is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweek
• For example - a DRT would receive 1 week of full-time credit for each 2 weeks of half-time work
• Cardiovascular-Interventional Technology (CV)
• Cardiovascular-interventional technologists (CV) use specialized equipment to perform diagnostic angiographic procedures and complex vascular and nonvascular interventional and therapeutic procedures
• This specialty requires additional knowledge of vascular systems and major vessel anatomy
• The technologist must be knowledgeable in the specialized equipment employed for digital subtraction systems and interventional procedures
• The technologist administers contrast media under the supervision of the staff radiologist and confers with the radiologist to establish requirements with reference to contrast agents - vital signs - medications - and physiologic monitoring to perform procedures
• CV technologists must be knowledgeable in CR and PACS
• Grade Determinations: Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist - GS-9 (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 will be appointed to the following assignment: Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist: Employees at this level are fully functional as an advanced DRT and carry out their assigned tasks independently
• DRTs at this level may have varying assignments including special and complex imaging procedures beyond the full performance level - clinical instruction - and basic QM type duties within the program
• Regardless of the nature of the specific assignment - the work must be of sufficient scope and complexity to meet the knowledge - skills - and abilities to perform at this level
• The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment-specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): a
• Ability to balance the needs of patients and staff while still performing complex scans and procedures
• b
• Knowledge of techniques for gathering relevant information from the medical record - significant others - and health care providers
• c
• Ability to assess factors that may contraindicate the procedure
• d
• Knowledge of basic first aid and basic life support practices related to radiography
• e
• Knowledge of physical assessment - aseptic techniques - intravenous methods and techniques and universal precautions
• f
• Knowledge of pre-procedural - procedural - and post-procedural care of patients
• Preferred experience: Training in Interventional Angiography - Performs special procedure radiographic exams
• Examinations include - but are not limited to: stent placement - atherectomy - angioplasty - fluoroscopic imaging - venous radio frequency ablation - port placement - laser atherectomy - renal - carotid - iliac - visceral and peripheral angiography - and venograms interventional radiography - Operative knowledge and experience - sterile technique - TCAR - EVAR procedures - HYBRID OR experience - C-Arm Experience
• The vacancy is above the full performance GS-9 Reference: VA Handbook 5005/119 Part II - Appendix G25 For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting - 45 pounds and over
• moderate carrying - 15-44 pounds - pushing up to 4 hours
• reaching above the shoulder
• use of fingers - good dexterity (both hands required)
• prolonged standing
• repeated bending
• ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• distinguish basic colors
• good hearing (aid permitted)
• good vision
• speed in working and emotional stability
• Must have the ability to wear a lead apron for long periods of time.

Duties

• VA Careers - Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist: https://youtube.com/embed/I-4ku5UMvWM Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Interventional/Vascular Radiologic Technologist that function in conceit with the Interventional Radiologists and Vascular Physicians with advances skills
• knowledge and experience to facilitate the daily operations of the Interventional Imaging Department by interacting - coordinating - and collaborating with Radiologist - Vascular surgeons - other Physicians and members of teams at the Medical Center and referring instructions
• Performs routines to moderately complex radiographic examination
• Performs as a scrub technologist or circulating technologist while assisting the Vascular Surgeon and have knowledge of sterile technique
• Depending on the procedure - it can recognize allergic reactions and initiate CPR (cardiovascular resuscitation)
• Properly applies pressure/dressing to avoid hematoma formation after interventional studies
• Has knowledge of vascular systems and major vessels
• Technologist is knowledgeable in the use of the specialized equipment employed for digital subtraction systems and Interventional procedures
• Prepares contrast material under the direction of the Vascular Surgeon for the purpose of performing procedures/exams requiring injectable solutions such as angiography relating vascular disease
• (In the case of injected media - a patient consent form must be obtained - when indicated)
• The technologist must be continuously on the alert to the patient's condition and other disorders
• Adverse reactions on the part of the patient require immediate attention so that harm does not come to the patient or equipment
• Receives and interprets request for Vascular IR Procedures
• Provides post-procedure orders to patients as directed by the Vascular Surgeon
• May be required to monitor patient's vital signs
• Help to maintain effective control of the Vascular Surgery Department by coordinating - organizing - and executing the work potential to expedite workflow patterns with the department
• Performs all procedures to include administrative duties associated with each procedure
• Inventory Control: Ensures that adequate quantities of supplies for Vascular/IR procedures are available to meet workload demands
• Order supplies as needed or requested by the Vascular Surgeon
• Assures that procedure rooms are always stocked with necessary supplies - with special attention to emergent equipment and supplies
• Alerts supervisor when supplies are needed
• Equipment Maintenance/Repair: Exercises extreme caution in the handling and safeguard of all radiation producing equipment
• Must recognize and report major equipment malfunctions within a timely manner
• Ensures that all equipment is in proper working order prior use
• Removes and tags defective equipment and notifies supervisor and/or BME
• Enters electronic work orders for equipment for repairs
• The technologist is responsible for making routine calibrations on equipment
• Keeps abreast of technological advances in the field of Radiology
• Successfully completes all required educational classes and successfully receives all Continuing Education Units (CEU's) as governed by the ARRT - to maintain an active status with the ARRT Society
• Maintain current BLS certification and complete all required TMS courses in a timely manner
• Performs Diagnostic procedures on a high volume of patients to include outpatients inpatients - procedures performed with the C-arm in the operating room - Fluoroscopy exams in the IR setting
• Responsible for explaining exams to competent patients in terms the patient will comprehend as well as understanding potential hazards that may occur as a result of the exam
• Depending on procedure can recognize allergic reactions and initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation
• Exercises extreme caution in the handling and safeguarding of all radiation producing equipment
• Must recognize and report major equipment malfunctions within a timely manner
• Interacts with patients in a manner that is appropriate to the patient's age - physical and emotional condition
• Answers all questions about exams to reduce patient anxiety
• Demonstrates courtesy and respect of patients - family members - fellow employees - including volunteers - students - and other co-workers in the work environment
• Receives and interprets all radiology requests
• Inputs pertinent radiology information into computer
• Responsible for making routine calibrations on equipment
• All other duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:00 am - 3:30 pm Functional Statement #: 57732F Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized