Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (Gen)

Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

This Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist must be qualified to provide independent services in specialized areas of radiologic technology and or/general radiologic technology services with only occasional oversight or direction for highly complex issues. The incumbent will also provide optimum patient care to the veterans while they are in the care of the technologist.

Typical duties may include, but are not limited to:

• The incumbent will assist the radiologist in the performance of fluoroscopic procedures such as but not limited to GI studies, barium and air contrast enemas, different types of cystography, MSK procedures, LP's, and myelograms.
• Incumbent will perform procedures of the head, trunk, spine, and extremities for diagnosis of trauma and illness.
• The incumbent will properly expose radiographs and ensure that automatic and digital processors are working properly. The incumbent is responsible for his/her own quality control as well as lower grade technologists, HPT's, and new technologists in training.
• The incumbent is responsible for maintaining required records for each patient. This includes registering each patient and procedure and status tracking upon completion of each examination. Incumbent is also responsible for documentation in the patient's chart of any pertinent information, dose and time of fluoroscopic procedures, and any medications injected during a procedure.
• The incumbent will perform a variety of radiographic and fluoroscopic procedures in a mobile capacity. Incumbent will be working with heavy, mobile, highly sophisticated equipment which must be moved during the examination and/or procedure. Sterile field must be maintained at all times.
• The incumbent will perform a variety of radiographic examinations and must be efficient in their examinations. The incumbent will be versatile in the types of surgeries performed and knowledgeable in what positions and images are expected of them in these situations.
• The Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (Radiography) will prepare the exam room for each procedure and ensure that all supplies are available, clean, and not expired. This includes sterile supplies, contrast media, other medications, catheters, gloves, and other miscellaneous items possibly needed for the examination or procedure.
• The incumbent will make any necessary adjustments to the X-ray equipment, will operate all general radiographic equipment appropriately, and will carry out procedures for testing quality assurance.
• The Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (Radiography) will understand the principles of digital radiography and will apply that knowledge to produce diagnostic quality films. Incumbent will understand the influence of technique, collimation, positioning, AEC selection, and other applicable settings have on image quality.
• The incumbent teaches/trains clinical students and HPTs to do assigned duties within the Imaging Services. They will instruct them in the routine of helping within department flow, stocking rooms, and other miscellaneous errands pertinent to the department.

Work Schedule: Tuesday - Friday. 11:00am - 9:30pm. Will have a regular schedule but will also be required to rotate some night shifts, and holidays to ensure coverage. Subject to change based on the needs of the agency.
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized.
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact vhaedrpprogramsupport@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
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)
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 Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 59120F
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.
• 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:

• Citizenship: 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, Radiography (ARRT) (R).
• Education. Completion of a full-time training course of at least 24 months in duration (or the 2 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.

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).
All persons employed in VHA as a DRT on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and certification that are part of the basic requirements of the DRT occupation.
For employees who do not meet all of the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:

• DRTs that require a certification, may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journeyman) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.
• DRTs that require a certification only at higher grade levels must meet the certification requirement
  before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels.
• DRTs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.
• DRTs initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or certification that meet all of the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.
• Employees who are retained as a DRT under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation
  lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the
  time of reentry as a DRT.

Grade Determinations: GS-08

Experience: At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level.

Assignment Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (GE): Employees at this grade level serve as staff DRTs at the full performance level. Candidates at this grade level must be qualified to independently provide services in specialized areas of radiologic technology and/or general radiologic technology services with only occasionally oversight or direction for highly complex issues.

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

• 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.
• Knowledge of anatomy and physiology, and cross-sectional anatomy, recognizing unusual images,
  and determining proper positioning to best demonstrate areas of interest.

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-8.

Physical Requirements: The Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (Radiography) position requires physical
demands. Frequently required to walk, stand, bend, and reach. Must be able to lift and/or move over 50 pounds. There will be long periods of standing while wearing lead apron, glove, masks, gown, and eye shields during different procedures. Must have manual dexterity and keyboard skills.

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:

• Resume

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
• Disability Letter (VA)
• Other (1)
• PCS Orders
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

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