Summary

This position is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs - Veterans Health Administration - Eastern Region - Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN 4) - Philadelphia - PA. The work involves the operation of radiologic equipment in a hospital or clinic environment as part of the diagnostic plan for veterans. Note: This is an Open Continuous Announcement and applicants will be reviewed until position is filled.

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 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)
• Physical Requirement
• pre-employment physical is required
• English Language Proficiency
• DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English
• GRADE REQUIREMENTS
• Specialized Assignments
• Specialized areas of radiologic technology include general diagnostic radiologic technology (R) - bone densitometry (BD) - mammography (M) - diagnostic ultrasound (S) - computed tomography (CT) - magnetic resonance imaging (MR) - interventional radiologic technology (IR) - quality management (QM) - picture archival communication system (PACS) technologist - MRI safety officer (MRSO) - imaging administrator - clinical program director - and clinical instructor
• General Radiologic Technology (R)
• DRTs perform procedures and examinations in hospitals or clinics under the direction of radiologists and other medical officers
• The objective of the examinations and procedures is to produce radiographic studies that are used in medical diagnosis and interpreted by medical officers to locate injuries - foreign bodies - pathological conditions - or lesions within the body
• They prepare and administer contrast media and medications in accordance with State and Federal regulations
• All DRTs must be knowledgeable in computerized [and digital radiography (CR/DR) -] and picture archiving and communications systems (PACS)
• Grade Determinations: Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist - GS-7 Experience or Education
• At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level
• or the successful completion of one full academic year of graduate education leading to a degree in radiography or other directly related field to diagnostic radiology/imaging
• or successful completion of an advanced registry program - with certification - in addition to a 4-year baccalaureate degree program in radiography or other directly related field to diagnostic radiology/imaging
• Education may relate to the duties of a specific position or to the occupation but must be appropriate for the position being filled
• Assignment
• DRTs at this level perform a full range of duties but receive guidance and directions regarding unfamiliar or unusual situations for more complex patient issues
• Candidates at this grade level may be qualified to provide services in specialized areas of radiologic technology and/or general radiologic technology services
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of the technical adequacy of the digital image - including the ability to adjust the image quality in the digital system
• (b) Knowledge of different contrast material required for the requested study
• (c) Knowledge of radiation protection standards - minimum radiographic exposure techniques - appropriate beam limitation to anatomical area - and employing lead shielding when performing standard radiographic and fluoroscopic procedures
• (d) Knowledge of computed radiography - CR readers and Digital Imaging systems
• (e) Knowledge of PACS and basic computer skills
• Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist - GS-8 Experience
• At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level
• Assignments
• 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 occasional oversight or direction for highly complex issues
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Ability to check system for operation and assess acceptable performance based on established guidelines
• (b) Knowledge of calibration parameters and the ability to make adjustments as needed
• (c) Knowledge of patient's clinical record - diagnosis - and laboratory results
• (d) Ability to monitor patient's physiologic changes during the procedure and keep the radiologist informed
• (e) Skill in using tact - diplomacy - and courtesy in dealings with the customer base - patients - staff - family - visitors - and volunteers
• (f) 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-08
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-08
• Physical Requirements: A pre-placement evaluation is conducted for an applicant who does not have specific medical standards or physical requirements and - therefore - does not require a pre-placement examination
• Current VA policy requires that all VHA employees undergo a pre-placement evaluation.

Duties

• Performs routine to moderately complex radiographic examination procedures
• These exams are achieved by using diagnostic x-ray equipment such as fluoroscopic units - and general diagnostic units
• Functions include and not limited to the following: Assists radiologists in the less complex fluoroscopic examinations
• Prepares contrast materials under the direction of the radiologist for the purpose of performing exams requiring injectable solutions such as IVP - cystogram - Cholangiograms - fistulagrams - and arthrography and for the purpose of performing oral and rectal exams of the GI tract
• Responsible to the radiologists and supervisor for the quality and quantity of radiographic exams performed in order ta assure a high level of acceptability of radiographic images while minimizing patient dosage
• Practices radiation safety in order to reduce exposure to patient - staff and self
• This is achieved using lead aprons - lead gloves - lead shields - lead-lines walls and collimation and following ALARA
• Maintains records and files of exams performed on patients
• Edits and when necessary registers patients in the computerized Radiology Information System (RIS) as well as the work list management portion of the HIS-RIS interface
• Properly identifies the patient and the image
• Uses left and right markers
• This is essential so that mistaken identity does not occur
• Responsible to explain exams to competent patients so that the patient understands what is to be done as well as what hazards - if any - are possible
• Performs radiographic exams at the bedside and in the operating rooms providing diagnostic images to the surgeons and professional staff on patients that are unable to be imaged in the Radiology Service due to incapacity or in a surgical setting
• Responsible for cleanliness and stocking adequate levels of supplies in assigned areas
• Due to technical demands and nature of the studies performed - the incumbent will be required to provide technical emergency coverage after normal duty hours for Diagnostic Radiology section of Imaging services
• Work Schedule: Tuesday - Saturday - 10:30am - 7:00pm with Holidays and Call Coverage
• Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized