Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist - Ultrasound

Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to all U.S. Citizens. Current Marion VA employees, other VA agency employees, and employees of other federal agencies, please apply to announcement: CBSS-13071654-26-JCR.

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

Duties include:

• Performs, in an outpatient clinic setting, all ultrasound and radiology examinations ranging from the routine to the highly specialized.
• Performance of the examination requires proper alignment and position of the patient. Sets up and adjusts all equipment and manually maneuvers the transducer to perform the exam.
• Performs ultrasound examinations of the abdomen, neck, chest, extremities, retroperitoneal space for purpose of acquiring high quality examinations that assist in the diagnosis and treatment of patient medical disorders. Performs vascular imaging, both arterial and venous.
• The technologist performs primarily in ultrasound, but could be asked to cover other areas in times of staffing shortage or when MIT is present on duty to include scheduling/ administrative duties of other staff positions at or below the US/DRT grade level.
• Knows and understand the principles of ultrasound and the highly specialized ultrasound and radiology equipment to approve the acceptability or rejection of each scan. This includes preparation and supplies, scanning motions, Time Compensated Gain, zoom or expansion, hard copy, picture-oriented examination, organ-oriented examination, and initial interpretation of the examination. Technologist notes of the examination require identifying normal and pathological appearances. Pathologic appearance includes but is not limited to intraluminal echoes that shadow, polyp, carcinoma, thick wall, size, obstruction lesions, common duct stone, tumor, benign strictures, texture, solid mass, cystic mass.
• Advises radiologist of significant abnormalities that would require their immediate attention and visualization while the patient is undergoing exam.
• Receives and identifies patients using two patient identifiers, explains methods of procedures, assists movement of patients to and from wheelchair, table, positions the patient and performs examinations as requested. Evaluates the nature of critical and emergency procedures and rearranges priorities to accommodate them.
• Knowledge of cross-sectional anatomy, and physiology such as the location, appearance, and function of the various major and minor systems applicable to sonographic illustration to interpret the requested examination accurately.
• Appropriately prepares sterile tray, to include preparation of contrast, supplying catheters and guide wires, sterile assurance of the patient and equipment may meet the sterile field with the purpose of assuring that all preventive measures have been taken to prevent contamination of the patient and/or equipment.
• Thoroughly comprehends all processes for reusable medical equipment (equipment designed by the manufacturer to be reused by multiple patients) including initial training, proper setup (assembling the RME in preparation for a procedure in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions), use and reprocessing (cleaning, disinfection, sterilization, and preparation of equipment to full readiness for its subsequent use) and maintenance according to Marion VAMC/EHCC Standard Operating Procedures (documents detailing all steps and activities of an approved process or procedure). Training achieved independent skill level is validated annually.
• Participates in the orientation and training of physicians, students, radiology technologists and medical instrument technicians.
• Maintains knowledge of the status and progress of work, and adjusts in accordance with established priorities, obtaining assistance from the supervisor on problems that may arise, such as backlogs that cannot be disposed of promptly:
• Properly selects patient information from the HIS/RIS (worklist) on the workstation, verifies patient information prior to making an exposure.
• Maintains current knowledge and answers questions from other employees on procedures, policies, directives, etc. and obtains needed information or decisions from supervisor on problems that come up.
• Assures completed examinations meet established standards, refers to supervisor or staff radiologists, questions or matters not covered by standards and problems in meeting performance standards.
• Reviews new developments in the field and recommends to supervisor those that would improve the operation of the section.
• The technologist may be asked to perform administrative duties and other duties as assigned during their tour. Technologist may be required to undergo scheduling training and maintain competency for scheduling keys.
• Maintains all competency requirement of the position including BLS CPR May serve as a peer reviewer for other staff.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 7:30am - 4:00pm
Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized?
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Functional Statement #: N/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 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

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.
• 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 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).

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: 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

Preferred Experience: Experience in general and vascular ultrasound.

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 - 9.

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.

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:



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 (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Other (1)
• PCS Orders
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Next steps