Career Center

Summary

This Advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (ADRT) Computed Tomography (CT) Technologist position is assigned to Radiology Service within the Ralph H. Johnson VA Healthcare System. The ADRT at this level performs routine to complex CT and general diagnostic radiology exams/procedures. Incumbent can carry out the assigned tasks independently.

Qualifications

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.

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: Diagnostic Radiologic Technologists (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 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).] 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: GS-09 - Assignment
• In addition to the basic requirements - you must also have at least one year of experience equivalent to the GS-09 level - directly related to the position being filled that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level
• 1) Ability to balance the needs of patients and staff while still performing complex scans and procedures - 2) Knowledge of techniques for gathering relevant information from the medical record - significant others - and health care providers - 3) Ability to assess factors that may contraindicate the procedure - 4) Knowledge of basic first aid and basic life support practices related to radiography - 5) Knowledge of physical assessment - aseptic techniques - intravenous methods and techniques and universal precautions - and 6) Knowledge of pre-procedural - procedural - and post-procedural care of patients
• Advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist - GS-10
• 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
• The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical 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
• Preferred Experience: None
• 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-08
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-10
• Physical Requirements: This work requires some physical exertion such as prolonged periods of standing - bending - reaching - crouching - stooping - stretching - and lifting moderately heavy items such as manuals - record boxes - equipment or assisting patients
• See https://dvagov.sharepoint.com/sites/OCHCO/SitePages/D5019.aspx VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties include - but not limited to: Performs a variety of routine to complex CT examinations including but not limited to scans of the head - neck - chest - abdomen - pelvis - and extremities as well as vascular - musculoskeletal - and cardiac imaging
• Performs routine - urgent - emergent or research studies and post-processing of images
• Assures images are properly identified with patient demographics and verifies archiving on PACS
• Examinations are performed with or without contrast materials based on imaging requisition and pre-defined protocols
• Adheres to contrast policy
• As needed - assists with CT-guided interventional procedures including but not limited to biopsies - drains - aspirations - injections
• Demonstrates knowledge of cross-sectional human anatomy and physiology as well as medical terminology
• Knowledgeable with imaging algorithms - technical factor selection and adjustments and post- processing for each type of scanner
• Receives and identifies patients using two (2) patient identifiers - prepares patients for exams and explains procedures - assists movement of patients to and from exam table - positions the patient - sets up and adjusts all imaging equipment
• Evaluates the nature of critical and emergent procedures and rearranges priorities to accommodate them
• Performs venipuncture with proper intravenous catheter selection for contrast administration
• Maintains competency with loading - programming - and use of power injectors
• Identifies and initiates treatment for extravasation of IV contrast
• Recognizes signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction to intravenous contrast and ability to initiate appropriate response
• Maintains yearly competencies including optimization of CT protocols - radiation safety - and Image Wisely training
• Participates in training of new employees in the section in accordance with established procedures and practices
• As needed - the technologist will perform a variety of routine diagnostic radiographic procedures - either with stationary or portable x-ray equipment - producing quality images - ensuring proper radiation safety - correct annotation - orientation - markers
• Assures timely/efficient completion of assigned workload
• Reviews new developments in the field and recommends to supervisor those that would improve the operation of the section
• Maintains and stocks all supplies used in the work area - ensuring applicable products are within expiration date and stored properly
• Reports equipment malfunctions in a timely manner to the supervisor and Biomedical Engineering - and is competent to enter service requests/workorders - as appropriate
• Provides high quality images while minimizing patient dose and reducing costs
• Work Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30pm - Monday - Friday
• 11:00am - 9pm - Monday - Tuesday - Thursday - Friday - rotating holidays and on-call
• Work Schedule is subject to change based on agency need
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Authorized
• EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact vhaedrpprogramsupport@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more 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 #: 534-56071F
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.