Registered Radiologist Assistant

Clarification from the agency

Open to Current Permanent VA Employees of the James A. Haley VA Medical Center Only. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position.

The Registered Radiology Assistant (RRA)duties include, but are not limited to:

• The Registered Radiologist Assistant performs complex invasive procedures under the direction of a supervising radiologist or other physician with equivalent experience or training.
• The RRA is a patient advocate for ALARA principles.
• Performs image analysis and guidance to ensure successful needle placement via supporting modalities.
• Assists Radiologist and/or nursing with monitoring and administering IV therapy.
• Assists Radiologist with sedation medications, vital signs, ECG monitoring of patients receiving moderate sedation.
• Observes and assesses patients who have received moderate sedation.
• Capable of performing and documenting radiology focused physical examination with analysis of data and report findings to supervising radiologist or another physician.
• Knowledgeable and proficient in protocolling and advising on radiology orders.
• Able to assess lab values and contraindications to procedures.
• Writes patient discharge summaries for review and co-signature by radiologist.
• Administers contrast and general medications prescribed by the radiologist as defined by local policy.
• Confirms patient identity by using two approved patient identifiers. Properly identifies patient images. This is essential to prevent mistaken identity of patient images.
• Performs time out as required prior to procedure start.
• Works with pathology to successfully obtain samples.
• Adheres to hospital infection control and safety policies. Practices sterile technique for all invasive procedures. Follows procedures for the storage of sterile supplies; the disposal of body fluids and all items classified as sharps, proper attire; hand washing practices; and continuing education.
• Prepare room, equipment and material needed for patient procedures.
• Provides educational training for technical staff.
• Assists with accreditation and compliance.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00AM - 4:30pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 72064F & 70656F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
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 Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).
• Education: Completion of a Radiologist Assistant program, and a bachelor's degree approved by the ARRT. Foreign education is vetted and approved by ARRT as a pre- requisite for certification. No additional documentation or verification of foreign education is required for applicants fully certified by ARRT.
• Credentialing Standards-Certification: 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 C.F.R. Part 75 - Standards for the Accreditation of Educational Programs and the Credentialing of Radiographic Personnel. Applicants 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 Department of Education, and be certified as radiographer (RT). Except as noted below, applicants must also have passed the ARRT exam and obtained Registered Radiologist Assistant (RRA) certification.

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for appointment, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates.

Registered Radiologist Assistant, GS-9

• Experience: One year of experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level. Examples of experience include but are not limited to: operating and monitoring equipment, such as Fluoroscopy and CT, to perform procedures under close supervision as limited by modality specific advanced certification; functions under the direct supervision of a radiologist or similarly-privileged physician qualified to supervise the RRA in carrying out these standardized procedures of various complexities; developmental duties involving more complex procedures, such as biopsies, aspirations, and/or peripherally inserted central catheter line placements, which are designed to prepare the RRA for promotion to higher grades in a functional area. Such duties are performed under closer supervision.

OR

• Education: Master's degree related to the duties of a specific position or to the occupation must be appropriate for the position being filled.

GS-9 Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to above the candidate must demonstrate all of the following Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

1. Knowledge of Imaging techniques following as low as reasonably achievable principles in various modalities.
2. Ability to perform various diagnostic procedures, including fluoroscopy, and evaluate images for completeness and diagnostic quality.
3. Knowledge of anatomy and physiology, as well as, contrast and general medications prescribed by the radiologist/physician.
4. Ability to perform all routine invasive procedures under the direct and/or general supervision of the radiologist or supervising physician, including vascular procedures with image guidance, contrast administration, needle and/or catheter placement.
5. Ability to assess a patient's clinical record, diagnosis, laboratory results, perform a radiology focused physical exam on the patient and documenting the EHR.
6. Ability to perform invasive vascular procedures with image guidance, including contrast administration, needle or catheter placement.

Registered Radiologist Assistant, GS-11

• Experience: At least one (1) year of experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level. Examples of experience include but are not limited to: operating and monitoring equipment, such as Fluoroscopy and CT, to perform procedures under general supervision as limited by modality specific advanced certification; perform complex invasive and non-invasive procedures utilizing the various modalities in Imaging; skills in assessing patient vital signs, responding to emergent situations, and entering documentation in the EHR.

GS-11 Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to above the candidate must demonstrate all of the following Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

1. Ability to perform complex invasive procedures in the Interventional Section under the direct supervision of the radiologist or other supervising physician.
2. Skills to maintain image quality in multiple sections of radiology.
3. Ability to function with initiative and progressively independent judgment within his/her sphere of responsibility.
4. Advanced knowledge to prioritize exams and procedures.

Creditable Experience: To be creditable, experience must have demonstrated possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics (also referred to as clinical competencies) associated with current radiologist assistant practices. The experience may have been evidenced by the equivalent of one year of active practice, which is paid or non-paid employment as an RRA, as defined by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).

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

Physical Requirements: The physical demands of the work include Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over; moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds; pushing up to 4 hours; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers, good dexterity (both hands required); prolonged walking, prolonged standing; repeated bending; the ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid permitted); speed in working; and emotional stability. Must have the ability to stand and work long periods.

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:

• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Certificate in general radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology, Radiography (ARRT) (RT)
• Registered Radiologist Assistant (RRA) Certification
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action

SF-50: All VA/Federal employees must submit a copy of your most recent SF-50 (that is not an award SF-50) that shows you're a current, permanent VA/Federal employee. You may get your SF-50 directly from your eOPF. VA employees may go to:https://eopf.opm.gov/va/. Other Federal employees must contact your current HR Office for assistance assessing your eOPF/personnel folder.

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
• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Certificate in general radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology, Radiography (ARRT) (RT)
• Registered Radiologist Assistant (RRA) Certification
• Professional Certification
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

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