Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist

Full Job Description

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.

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).

English Language Proficiency. DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d).

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: In addition to meeting the basic requirements for appointment, the following criteria must be used when determined the appropriate grade assignments of candidates: GS-9 DRT (1) Experience.

At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-8) that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level, which include, but not limited to: 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; and Knowledge of anatomy and physiology, and cross-sectional anatomy, recognizing unusual images, and determining proper positioning to best demonstrate areas of interest.

(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: (a) 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 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 form 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; and f. Knowledge of pre-procedural, procedural, and post-procedural care of patients.

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-09.

Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion.

Lifting up to 40 lbs, light carrying under 20 lbs, ability to reposition patients, use of fingers and both hands required, walking 2 hours, standing 2 hours, both eyes required for depth perception, ability to distinguish shades of color, hearing (aid permitted), emotional and mental stability, near and far vision of 20/40 or better (corrective lenses permitted).

Major Duties:

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Major Duties include but not limited to: Coordinates daily schedule and consults with other medical center physicians, clinical, administrative, and clerical personnel of next day and future day's availability for patient examinations Performs computer work and required forms associated with patient exams, credit of patient visits, complications and /or quality improvement activities of the Radiology Department.

Schedules, receives patients to include verbal interview for demographic accuracy and patient education prior to procedure, ensuring patient comfort and relaxation.

Reports equipment failure to supervisor/appropriate staff. Fulfill assignments in a prompt and effective manner resulting in optimal patient care.

Supports maintenance of inventory supplies, ensuring that outdated, damaged, or otherwise unusable items are discarded. Reports to supervisor the need of replacements.

Responsible for stocking and inventory of all supplies and related materials. Pursues continuing education activities to stay current in techniques and maintain competency.

Disseminates information of general interest. Employee works independently after normal duty hours, weekends, and holidays as may be assigned. Performs daily check of crash cart.

Maximizes patient throughput by contacts with escort, ward secretaries, nursing personnel, etc. Reviews request for appropriateness before performing exams.

Uses appropriateness criteria, the clinical history provided on the request, interviews the patient, reviews the patient chart, or contacts the ordering clinician as needed for clarification.

Coordinates daily schedule and consults with other medical center physicians, clinical, administrative, and clerical personnel of next day and future day's availability for patient examinations.

Conduct an orderly flow of patients by prompt scheduling of patients and being thoroughly knowledgeable of all protocols to aid inquiries of anyone needing to know the status and availability of specialized program studies.

Receives patients and ensures proper identification. Provides patient education. Continually assesses the condition and the needs of the patients to ensure patient safety, comfort, and privacy.

Ensures compliance in hospital safety and radiation safety protocols in addition to infection control and universal precautions always in accordance with departmental procedures.

Performs clerical duties related to patient care.

Performs computer work and required forms associated with patient exams, credit of patient visits, complications and /or quality improvement activities of the Radiology Department.

Utilizes the hospital system's electronic medical record system along with the radiology PACS management system and participates in other clerical activities to ensure smooth workflow and provide documentation for the patient chart.

Ensures all documentation required for the completion of exams is done through specific computer systems and ensures that adequate quantity of supplies for general radiology are available.

Prior to imaging, incumbent selects and sets protocols for each individualized patient examination.

Performs high quality imaging services for this facility -Performs portable radiographic exams throughout this facility.

Perform exams in the areas of radiography, fluoroscopy, mobile/portable radiography. Checks and makes minor adjustments to equipment.

Responsible for the quality assurance of the image (positioning/label/technique/network information) prior to transmission to the PACS network.

Can digitize films/bum CDs for the network and/or transmission to offsite locations.

Maintains the detectors/workstations (i.e.: primary/secondary plate erase, cleanliness of QA stations, etc.) as directed by the manufacturer.

Reports obvious abnormalities to radiologist before patient leaves department. Educate the patients and their families about the procedures being performed regarding my scope of practice.

Performs exams in the areas of radiography, fluoroscopy, mobile/portable radiography/fluoroscopy. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday; 8:00am - 4:30pm.

EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact visn5hredrpcoordinators@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance.

Learn more Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized