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. 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. English Language: Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist appointed to direct patient care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C 7402(d), and 7407(d). 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). Credentialing Standards. Public Law 97-35, the Consumer-Patient Radiation Health and Safety Act of 1981, requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75, Standards for the Accreditation of Educational Programs and the Credentialing of Radiographic Personnel. Essentially, they must have successfully completed an educational program that meets or exceeds the standards described in that regulation and is accredited by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and be certified as radiographers in their field. Certification: All applicants must be certified in general radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT) (R). Advanced ARRT certification is required for Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Advanced certification indicates that the technologist has demonstrated specific clinical competency in the appropriate specialty and taken and passed the designated examination. Grade Determinations: GS-09: In addition to the basic requirements for employment as listed above, applicants must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-08 grade level independently providing radiologic services with occasional oversight or direction for highly complex issues. Examples of qualifying experience includes, but is not limited to: experience checking radiologic systems for operation and assessing acceptable performance based on established guidelines; making calibration parameter adjustments as needed; monitoring a patients physiologic changes during procedures and keeping the radiologist informed, experience with the patients clinical record, diagnosis, and laboratory results; experience using tact, diplomacy, and courtesy in dealings with the customer base, patients, staff, family, visitors, and volunteers; experience utilizing knowledge of anatomy and physiology, and cross-sectional anatomy, recognizing unusual images, and determining proper positioning to best demonstrate areas of interest. The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment-specific KSAs designated by and asterisk (*). (*) Ability to balance the needs of patients and staff while still performing complex scans and procedures. Knowledge of techniques for gathering relevant information from the medical record, significant others, and health care providers. (*) Ability to assess factors that may contraindicate the procedure. Knowledge of basic first aid and basic life support practices related to radiography. Knowledge of physical assessment, aseptic techniques, intravenous methods and techniques and universal precautions. Knowledge of pre-procedural, procedural, and post-procedural care of patients. Preferred Experience: Minimum 1 year MRI experience with 3-5 years preferred Experience with Philips MRI equipment preferred References: VA Handbook 5005/77, Part II, Appendix G25, Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist Qualification Standard, GS-647 dated December 13, 2019. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09. The grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-09. Physical Requirements: Work requires physical exertion such as periods of standing (up to 7 hours), walking (up to 7 hours), repeated bending (.5 hours), straight pulling (.5 hours), pushing (.5 hours), use of fingers, both hands required, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, reaching above the shoulder, moderate carrying (15 - 44 pounds), heavy lifting (45 pounds and over). Ability to read printed material without strain (glasses permitted), visual requirement 20/50 or better in one eye, ability to distinguish basic colors. Mental and emotional stability. Ability to hear conversational voice (aid may be permitted, based upon specific characteristics). Environmental Factors: Working around machinery with moving parts, protracted or irregular hours, radiant energy, working closely with others ["Note: Selections from this announcement will be made without regard to Veteran's preference in accordance with VA Human Resources Management Letter 05-19-12. This specialty modality requires additional knowledge of super conducting magnets, the physics of superconducting magnets, and how they relate to the human anatomy in medical imaging. The technologist must be educated in the safety factors governing a magnetic environment that patients, visitors, and equipment enter. The practitioner must have specific specialized knowledge of cross-sectional anatomy and how it relates to the soft tissues and vessels of the human body. The technologist must also have a specialized knowledge of the radiofrequency surface coils required for each specific anatomical area to be imaged. The technologist requires knowledge of image acquisition in Computerized/Digital Radiography (CR/DR) and Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS). Incumbent will also support the diagnostic radiology section, with special emphasis on CT (Computed Tomography), by providing coverage in these areas as needed, including Call. He/she works independently on most exams but confers with Radiologists and/or the Chief Technologist on more difficult problems. Duties include, but are not limited to: Accurately operates a wide variety of imaging equipment to obtain examinations of acceptable quality utilizing the standardized amount of Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) to obtain quality imaging for diagnosis and localization purposes. This includes but is not limited to: Mobile MRI, Modular MRI, and 1.5 T magnets and all other duties assigned. Performs all aspects of MRI imaging of the spine, head, neck, chest, studies including but not limited to Head, Neck, Chest, Abdomen, Pelvis, and Extremities, utilizing specialized sequences to visualize the anatomy and pathology necessary for diagnosis. Performs MRI imaging of the cerebral, peripheral and visceral vessels through MR Angiography of the brain, abdominal systems and extremities. These MR angiographic studies include renal, hepatic, mesenteric, aortic, femoral, etc. The exams involve the use of highly sophisticated equipment, such as pressure injectors and 3D Reconstruction Software. Maintains competence in Venipuncture and refers to the Radiology Service procedure manual for guidelines on Administration of Contrast Media, Guidelines for Power Injection of Contrast Media, Use of Gadolinium within the MRI Section and policy for use of Contrast Media. Prepares contrast materials under the direction of the radiologist that are used in MRI, to include MR Angiography and other exams. - Technologist is competent and educated in all aspects of MRI Safety, including any policy regarding MRI Safety. Maintains knowledge of all safety policies, practices and all records regarding MRI Safety. Properly identifies patients using the \"two unique identifiers\" set forth by hospital policy. Is responsible for properly educating the Veteran on the examination ordered, including all hazards, so they can make informed decisions regarding their treatment plans. Technologist receives and interprets all radiology requests for accuracy, appropriateness; date desired and maintains a thorough knowledge of the ordering process in CPRS. Thoroughly reviews the MRI orders screening information for accuracy, noting and researching all questionable information prior to contacting the patient or performing the exam. Documents appropriately, in the patient record, the accurate events regarding treatment of the Veteran during MRI procedures. Work Schedule: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, with possible modifications consistent with agency or department needs. Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 502-00294-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact Patricia Wilson at Patricia.Wilson2@va,gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
