Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist

Full Job Description

Albuquerque Raymond G. Murphy VA Healthcare System in Albuquerque, NM is hiring for a general Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist to serve in our Diagnostic Imaging service department.

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.

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).

All persons employed in VHA as a Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (DRT) as of December 13, 2019, are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and certification that are part of the basic requirements of the Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (DRT) occupation.

For employees who do not meet all of the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: (1) DRTs that require a certification, may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journeyman) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.

(2) DRTs that require certification only at higher grade levels must meet the certification requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels.

(3) DRTs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.

(4) DRTs initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or certification that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.

(5) Employees who are retained as a DRT under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry as a DRT.

NOTE: Each uncertified VHA Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (DRT) who was permanently employed on June 21, 1986, and whose competence in the safe administration of ionizing radiation was affirmed, in writing, by a VA licensed physician not later than January 1, 1987, considered fully qualified.

These employees may be promoted, changed to lower grade, or reassigned within the GS-0647 occupational series.

Any employee initially retained in this manner who leaves this job series loses protected status and must meet the full requirements in effect at the time of reentry.

Grade Determinations: GS-8 (1) Experience - At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-7) that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level.

Duties listed for the GS 8 in this announcement are the same for a GS-7.

(2) Assignments - Employees at this grade level serve as staff Diagnostic Radiologic Technologists at the full performance level.

Candidates at this grade level must be qualified to independently provide services in specialized areas of radiologic technology and/or general radiologic technology services with only occasional oversight or direction for highly complex issues.

(3) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities - In addition to the experience above, the candidate MUST demonstrate all of the following KSAs in their resume: Ability to check system for operation and assess acceptable performance based on established guidelines.

Knowledge of calibration parameters and the ability to make adjustments as needed. Knowledge of patient's clinical record, diagnosis, and laboratory results.

Ability to monitor patient's physiologic changes during the procedure and keep the radiologist informed.

Skill in using tact, diplomacy, and courtesy in dealings with the customer base, patients, staff, family, visitors, and volunteers.

Knowledge of anatomy and physiology, and cross-sectional anatomy, recognizing unusual images, and determining proper positioning to best demonstrate areas of interest.

Preferred Experience: Two years of experience as a Diagnostic Radiologist Technician in a hospital/clinic setting.

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-8.

Physical Requirements: Light to Moderate lifting and carrying, up to 44 pounds Straight pulling and/or reaching above shoulders Use of both hands and fingers required Walking, standing, crawling and/or kneeling Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4 Depth perception and ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors; hearing (aid permitted) Major Duties:

VA Careers - Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist: https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/I-4ku5UMvWM Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Diagnostic Radiologic Technologists perform procedures and examinations under the direction of other radiologists and other medical officers.

The objective of the examinations and procedures is to produce radiographic studies that are used in medical diagnosis and interpreted by medical officers to locate injuries, foreign bodies, pathological conditions, or lesions within the body.

They prepare and administer contrast media and medications in accordance with State and Federal regulations.

All DRTs must be knowledgeable in computerized [and digital radiography (CR/DR),] and picture archiving and communications systems (PACS). Assist radiologists in the fluoroscopic examinations.

Prepares contrast materials for the purpose of performing exams requiring injectable solutions and for the purpose of performing oral and rectal exams of the GI tract.

These procedures require the use of needles, syringes, intravenous contrast agents, barium, enema bags and drinking cups.

Responsible to the radiologists and supervisors for the quality and quantity of radiographic exams performed to ensure maximum acceptability of radiographs and efficiency minimizing patient dosage and reducing costs.

Practices radiation safety to reduce exposure to patient, staff and self. Adhere to the safety policies/procedures of the medical center and participate in quality assurance activities as directed.

Performs image processing procedures such as loading and unloading cassettes on CR digitizers, adjusting image quality when necessary and printing images when required.

Maintains records and files of exams performed on patients.

Registers patients in the computerized Radiology Information System (RIS) as well as the work list management portion of the HIS -RIS interface. Properly identifies the patient and the image.

Uses left and right markers to prevent mistaken identity. Confirm patient identification prior to beginning any study by using two

identifiers such as Full name, the patient's Social Security number, birthdate or, in the case of ER or inpatients, the patients' ID band.

Explain exams to ensure the patient understands what is to be done as well as what hazards, if any, are possible.

May be required by procedure or patient's condition to monitor vital signs, recognize allergic reactions and initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Performs radiographic exams at the bedside and in the operating rooms providing diagnostic x-rays to the surgeons and professional staff on patients that are unable to be x-rayed in the Radiology Service due to incapacity or surgical procedures.

These exams are achieved using portable x-ray units and mobile intensifier units (C-Arms) that may be in Surgery or other areas within the medical center.

Maintain cleanliness in assigned area and stock adequate levels of supplies as necessary. Report equipment malfunction in a timely manner to the supervisor.

Remain professional, cooperative and be able to work with other employees.

May be required to perform diagnostic radiographic examinations during irregular emergency on-call hours, 24 hours per day, coverage.

This requires the technologist to be available as soon as possible, but no longer than 60 minutes from receipt of call. This is so that proper and effective emergency care can be given to the patient.

Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday, 9:30 am to 6:00 pm 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) Functional Statement #: 000000, General Radiologist Technologist (R)