Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (Computed Tomography)

Clarification from the agency

Open to Current Permanent Employees of the VA Caribbean Healthcare System, VHA employees and Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.) 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-4ku5UMvWMTotal Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

Major duties but are not limited to:

• Work with a complex, multi-slice computer tomography scanner to independently perform computerized axial, sagittal, or coronal procedures of the neurological and musculoskeletal system, and dynamic blood flow studies of head, and/or bodies.
• Plan direct and distribute work assignments to diagnostic radiologic technologist at lower levels. Serve as CT lead technologist to a group of DRTs.
• Use the Foundations platform to check pending examinations, previous and future exams, Allergies, recent laboratories and prescribed protocol. Protocol exams in the platform, if the exam matches the department establish protocols by radiologist.
• Perform and acquire data for specialized studies such as CT cardiac, CT virtual colonoscopy, CT angiography, MPR/3D reconstructions and CT myelogram.
• Administer contrast as ordered, in a safe and effective manner.
• Prepare and store oral and I.V. contrast material according to established policies.
• Determine technical factors, positioning, number and thickness of scans to produce and satisfy radiological safety requirements.
• Assist radiologist with specialized procedures such as percutaneous aspiration biopsies and abscess drainage.
• Review patient's medical record to obtain pertinent medical history and assess factors that may contraindicate the procedure.
• Consult with radiologists to develop standard and non-standard exam protocols.
• Coordinate and prioritize scheduled as well as emergency patients in a manner to optimize workflow.
• Work with highly specialized equipment i.e.; power injector, CT insufflator, laser printer, CT Workstation.
• Recognize physiological changes in specific patient situations that require modification of standard operating procedures to obtain adequate image data that yields diagnostically useful clinical information.
• Responsible for positioning the patient and making the necessary exposure adjustments to produce quality images.
• Use, store and handle equipment in the appropriate manner to avoid deterioration. Inform the supervisor to immediately repair any equipment breakdown.

Work Schedule: Rotating Shift to cover 24/7
Compressed/Flexible:Not Authorized
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
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)
Telework: Not Authorized
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 62531F
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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• 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

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 Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d)
• Certification Requirement: 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 has 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 Requirement: 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).

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 the basic requirements for appointment, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates:

GS-09: At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-8, directly related to the position being filled, that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level. 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. Must have a certification in Computed Tomography (CT).

In addition to the basic requirements, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment-specific KSAs designated by an 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: A least one (1) year of experience.
Selective Placement Factor (SPF) for locations in Puerto Rico- This position includes skill, knowledge, ability or other worker characteristic basic to and essential for- satisfactory performance of the job. Selective Placement Factors are a prerequisite to appointment and represent minimum requirements for a position. Applicants who do not meet it are ineligible for further consideration. Evidence of the Selective Placement Factor must be reflected in your resume. The SPF for this position is: In addition to the English Language Proficiency, you must also be proficient in basic written and spoken Spanish in order to perform the duties of this position.

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


Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

How you will be evaluated

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

Area of Consideration- Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order:
1.Current permanent VA employees of the facility.
2. All other VHA employees.
3. All other applicants.



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:

• Resume, required. - Your resume must include the following information for each job listed: Job title, Grade Level (for Federal positions), Duties (be as detailed as possible and ensure they demonstrate how you meet the specialized experience and/or Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required for the position Month & Year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008), Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week).
• Copy of a current and/or highest grade held SF-50 - Notification of Personnel Action (Not an award SF50).
• Copy of Certification by the American Registry of Radiology Technology (ARRT (R)(CT).

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.




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
• License
• Copy of Certification by the American Registry of Radiology Technology (ARRT (R)(CT).
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Next steps