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.
- 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).
- 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.
- Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA as a ORT 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 ORT 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: Continued in Additional Information Section.
- Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
- English Language Proficiency. DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and7407(d).
May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).
GS-12 Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (Radiology Administrator) Grade Determination:
Experience. At least one year of the following types of experience comparable to the next lower grade level that fully meets the KSAs at that level. Specialized experience includes: Supervisory Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist; Lead Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist; Picture Archive Communication System (PACS) Technologist (support and troubleshoot system application issues and instruct users in the proper operation); Quality Management Technologist and may also include oversight of a departmental Quality Improvement (QI) program; or Clinical Program Director (functions as an educational program director for a hospital based JRCERT accredited radiological technology training program).
Assignments. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. DRTs at this grade level may be appointed to one of the following assignments:
Radiology Administrator. Assignment to this grade level is restricted to those serving as the radiology administrator at medical facilities with comprehensive and complex radiographic and imaging programs. Employees in these assignments plan and direct the technical and administrative operations of the radiology program at active, affiliated medical centers, and have full supervisory responsibility for a large staff of subordinate personnel, including GS-10 DRTs, at least one subordinate team leader or supervisor at the next lower level, and may include clerical and administrative support personnel. At this level, the radiologic technology program typically includes the full variety of specialties. The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment-specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*):
1. *Knowledge of the fiscal matters of the radiology program, including VHA funds and several additional fund controls, and ability to administer the scarce medical specialist contracts for professional services.
2. *Ability to make short and long-term supply, equipment, and major space alteration recommendations, and prepare specifications for radiographic equipment purchases and remodeling requests.
3. Ability to recommend program effectiveness improvements to meet VHA and JCAHO accreditation standards.
4. *Ability to make and implement major managerial recommendations for the radiology program, such as organizational improvements including changes in structure and delegation; maintain realistic cost/benefit ratios; and policy and procedure changes to improve service to patients.
5. *Ability to perform the full range of supervisory duties, including responsibility for assignment of work performed; performance evaluations; recommendations for appointments, awards, advancements, and when appropriate, disciplinary actions, and identification of continuing education and training needs.
Preferred Experience:
- Two (2) years radiology operations supervisory experience with demonstrated success and leadership skills.
- Two (2) years of experience with an healthcare system; developing policies and procedures.
Reference can be found at the VA Qualification Repository,
VA Qualifications Standards - Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO) GS-0647 Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist VA Qualification Standard dated December 13, 2019.
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12.
Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work. Work may also require walking/standing, in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site. Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds.