Summary

The Incumbent operates independently and performs Diagnostic Radiographs and a variety of specialized CT examinations covering most portions of the body including - bladder - spleen - aorta - kidney - head neck - chest - abdomen - pelvis - spine - extremities - pancreas - biopsies and drainage. Exams are performed with and without contrast materials.

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) - and 7407(d)
• Certification
• All applicants must be certified in general radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT) (R)
• Advanced Radiography ARRT certification is required for Computed Tomography (CT)
• Education
• Completion of a full-time training course of at least 24 months duration (or the equivalent) in a post-high school diagnostic radiologic technology program - evidenced by a certificate or an associate's degree - accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) or from schools accredited by the ARRT and certification by the ARRT in radiology 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 Department of Education - and be certified as radiographers in their field
• GRADE REQUIREMENTS: 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 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
• Computed Tomography (CT)
• This specialty modality requires specific knowledge of cross sectional human anatomy and its application in spiral - and/or - multi-slice computer tomography - inclusive of 3-D reconstruction scans - including drainages - biopsies - and peripheral vascular examinations
• The technologist requires specific knowledge and training in the location - appearance - and function of the various major and minor systems susceptible to radiological illumination
• to interpret the examination request accurately
• to understand the functioning and inter-relationship of the various organs
• to use the methods and techniques which will identify organs appearing on the digital display monitor - or on film - and the various stages of the examination to judge the acceptability of the image and/or scan for diagnostic use and to emphasize the aspects of particular interest to the physician
• This subspecialty requires advanced ARRT certification
• Grade Determinations: GS-9 DRT 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
• 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
• Skill to demonstrate appropriate techniques to gather 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
• and f
• Knowledge of pre-procedural - procedural - and post-procedural care of patients
• References: VA Handbook 5005/77 Part II Appendix G25The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09
• Physical Requirements: The individual must have the physical ability to perform job-related duties which require heavy lifting - 45 pounds and over - standing up to 6 hours - wearing PPE (Lead Apron) up to 6 hours - bending - transferring
• stooping - stretching - walking - pushing - or pulling without assistance from another patient care provider or significant other
• A health examination must be successfully complete prior to this assignment and periodically thereafter as required by the Employee Health Clinic policy Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Preferred Experience: ARRT Registered in Diagnostic Radiology and Computerized Tomography.

Duties

• VA Careers - Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist: https://youtube.com/embed/I-4ku5UMvWM Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties for this position are performed without direct supervision - duties for this position include but are not limited to the following: CT: 50% Incumbent will use specific knowledge of human anatomy - including-cross sectional anatomy - and its application in spiral - and/or multi-slice Computer Tomography including -Peripheral Vascular - Spine - Abdomen - CT Angiography - Brain - and Virtual Colonography
• Determines the consistency - of masses with the aid of the CT Software as (cystic or solid} and their relationship to adjacent abdominal structures
• Ensures CT scan radiation doses are documented in PACS and/or on in the procedure for Radiologist to dictate in the patient's report
• Performs quality control/assurance checks on completed CT scans to ensure optimally diagnostic images are referred for radiologists' interpretation
• Receives patients and explains procedures - prepares the room and equipment
• Explain exams to competent patients so that the patient understands what is to be done as well as what hazards - if any - are possible
• Monitor vital signs - recognize allergic reactions - and initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation - and emergency measures to include AED
• Properly identifies patient images
• This is critical to ensure incorrect images or document errors do not occur
• The technologist must be certain that the patient I.D
• and the request are identical
• Use of patient identifiers is required
• Starts IV's - prepares contrast materials - and under direction of the radiologist injects contrast for imaging procedures
• Observes patient and immediately notifies Radiologist when a reaction is suspected
• Performs Intravenous injections of Contrast Material with pressure injection system
• Practices safe use of the pressure injector and injects IV contrast material at injection rates provided by the Radiologist or pre-defined in the CT Exam protocol manual
• Practices radiation safety to reduce exposure to patients - staff - and self
• Performs 3-D reconstructions of CT and angiographic studies when requested or when part of a standard procedure
• Completes procedures by ensuring all images have been transmitted - and exam closed out in VistA
• Responsible for explaining exams to patients so that they understand what is to be done as well as what hazards - if they exist
• Responsible for ordering - stocking - and inventory of all supplies and related materials
• Continually reviews new developments in the imaging field
• Required to be on-call for Diagnostic Radiology at primary and alternate locations when needed DRT: 50% Receives and interprets requests or instructions for general or complex procedures
• Edit/make changes to requests as appropriate when directed by a radiologist or medical provider
• Perform all requested procedures and exercises control of area and equipment
• Maintains sterility
• cleans portable equipment after each case and as needed
• and reports malfunctions to bio-medical engineer
• and makes coordination to have equipment ready for service
• Prepares room and equipment for procedures - ensuring necessary supplies - contrast materials (oral - rectal - or Intravenous} - and imaging plates are readily available
• Monitors vital signs as appropriate for procedure and notifies radiologist of significant changes complications
• may administer anesthetic or antispasmodic drugs under close control
• Performs other related duties assigned to this position
• Required to be on-call for Computerized Tomography at primary and alternate locations when needed Work Schedule: Compressed Friday -Sunday: Friday 8:00am- 8:00pm
• Sat-Sun 6:00am-8:00pm
• These positions will be required rotate to other Imaging locations and be available On-call - Days - Nights - Weekends and Holidays to perform both CT and Diagnostic Radiographs
• Work schedule subject to change based on agency needs
• Compressed/Flexible Schedule: Compressed available Telework: Not Available Functional Statement: Diagnostic Radiologic Tech (DRT/CT)/58896F Financial Disclosure: Not Required