Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to all US Citizens. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

VA Careers - Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist: https://youtube.com/embed/I-4ku5UMvWM

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

DRT Duties

• Performs imaging using DR and CR. This work includes computer manipulation (window/level), correct orientation of the images, patient image acquisition through work list and releasing images to the PACS storage system, and burning of images to CD.
• Assists radiologist during fluoroscopic examinations.
• Prepares oral contrast materials under the direction of the radiologist for oral exams of the GI tract. These procedures may require the use of barium suspension, gastrografin, and sodium bicarbonate crystals.
• Responsible to the radiologist and supervisor for the quality and quantity of radiographic exams performed in order to assure a high level of acceptability of radiographs while minimizing patient radiation dose.
• Practices radiation safety in order to reduce exposure to patient, staff and self. This is achieved by the use of lead aprons, lead gloves, lead shields, lead-lined walls and collimation. The technologist assures compliance with radiation regulations for all staff including the wearing of film badges.
• Performs other imaging related duties as assigned including but not limited to PICC line insertion, lumbar puncture, PCN tube changes and other fluoroscopic procedures.

MRI Duties

• Employees at the GS 10 level are responsible for performing complex procedures including but not limited to MRA of the chest, abdomen, head, neck and extremity, MRI spectroscopy, prostate, and functional imaging for research studies of the brain and anesthesia cases.
• Prepares magnet for daily operation, brings system up, and checks all self-calibrating parameters. Employee maintains the cleanliness of his/her assigned work area, maintains necessary supplies.
• The employee has a responsibility to recognize and exhibit good safety practices to include; compliance with published and communicated safety procedures and reporting observed safety infractions and unsafe working conditions to the MRI Safety Officer, a supervisor and Clinical Engineering as well as work related illnesses and injuries.
• The employee advises the radiologist of those examinations which require immediate attention while the patient is still undergoing the examination.
• The incumbent practices sterile technique to prevent contamination. The technologist performs IV insertion, prepares IV contrast material and administers contrast material agents under the guidance of a radiologist.
• The incumbent is responsible for setting up and positioning patients, providing immobilization devices, selecting proper technical factors on an individual patient basis, and operating the equipment.
• When operating the MRI equipment, the employee communicates with the radiologist and physicist as needed to determine the most ideal parameters to pulse the magnet for each individualized patient examination.
• The employee interacts with patients, explains exam procedures, positions patients within the scanner, monitors patients during all phases of the examination and records all patient exam information for permanent record.

General Functions

• The incumbent accurately and routinely performs the associated PACS, CPRS, and NTP responsibilities.
• The employee is trained in containment and isolation techniques to protect themselves and others from contamination.
• Confirms patient identity by verbally confirming two approved patient identifiers per PVAMC policy. Properly identifies patient images.
• Edits and when necessary registers patients in the computerized Radiology Information System (RIS) as well as the work list management portion of the HIS-RIS interface (VISTA).
• Maintains current Basic Life Support (BLS) and American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) credentialing as required.
• Instructs students of clinical affiliates, new technologists, residents and others on techniques, procedures, equipment use, etc.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
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.
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 #: 623-51304-A
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination / evaluation.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

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: Per VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, Paragraph 3j: No person will be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C., chapter 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English.
• 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). *(Copy of valid transcripts is required at time application is submitted)
  • NOTE: Assignment to the clinical program director requires meeting JRCET minimum educational standards as noted in the assignment description

Grade Requirements

Advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist.

• 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.

GS 10 Advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist - MRI (Above the Full Performance Level)

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.

GS 10 Advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist - MRI Knowledge Skills and Abilities-In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following 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: 2 years of MRI experience is preferred.


Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.


This vacancy is being announced above the Full Performance Level at a GS-10.


Physical Requirements:

• Lift, move or push heavy equipment, specifically cassettes, mobile x-ray equipment, stretchers and/or wheelchairs with patients in them.
• Assist in lifting patients who may be paralyzed, comatose or otherwise incapacitated, from stretchers or wheelchairs to x-ray and MRI tables and back.
• Provide physical assistance and care for patients in a timely manner in all circumstances.
• Reach overhead in order to manipulate an x-ray tube.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Transcript

Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field.

**Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field.**

**Your resume/CV must include the following information for each job listed (a determination may not be able to be made if these items are missing):

• Job title and Duties
• Month & year, start/end dated (e.g. June 2020 to April 2021
• Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week)
• Series and Grade, if applicable

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Other (1)
• Other (2)
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

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