Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist

Internal Number: 869583100

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) – a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval – award amount (up to $200 -000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

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
• DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) – and7407(d)
• 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)
• NOTE: Assignment to the clinical program director requires meeting JRCERT minimum educational standards as noted in the assignment description
• 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)
• Creditable Experience (1) Knowledge of Current Radiologic Technology Practice
• 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 radiologic technology practice
• This may have been evidenced by the equivalent of 1 year of active practice – which is paid or non-paid employment as a DRT as defined by ARRT
• (2) Quality of Experience
• Experience is only creditable if it was earned after completion of the basic certification requirements identified in paragraph 2b above
• Experience as a graduate DRT is creditable provided the candidate functioned as a DRT and subsequently passed the certification examination
• (3) Part-Time Experience
• Part-time experience as a DRT is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweek
• For example – a DRT would receive 1 week of full-time credit for each 2 weeks of half-time work
• Grade Determinations: Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist – GS-9 (1) Experience
• 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
• (2) 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 will be appointed to the following assignment: Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist: Employees at this level are fully functional as an advanced DRT and carry out their assigned tasks independently
• DRTs at this level may have varying assignments including special and complex imaging procedures beyond the full performance level – clinical instruction – and basic QM type duties within the program
• Regardless of the nature of the specific assignment – the work must be of sufficient scope and complexity to meet the knowledge – skills – and abilities to perform at this level
• The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment-specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): a
• Ability to balance the needs of patients and staff while still performing complex scans and procedures
• b
• Knowledge of techniques for gathering relevant information from the medical record – significant others – and health care providers
• c
• Ability to assess factors that may contraindicate the procedure
• d
• Knowledge of basic first aid and basic life support practices related to radiography
• e
• Knowledge of physical assessment – aseptic techniques – intravenous methods and techniques and universal precautions
• f
• Knowledge of pre-procedural – procedural – and post-procedural care of patients
• Preferred experience: At least 3 years of clinical experience
• excluding the clinical training while completing the Radiologic Technologist Program
• Ability to assist the Radiologist in performing Fluoroscopic procedures independently
• Ability to operate a C-arm and portable units independently
• The vacancy is above the full performance GS-9 Reference: VA Handbook 5005/119 Part II – Appendix G25 For more information on this qualification standard – please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting – 45 pounds and over
• moderate carrying – 15-44 pounds – pushing up to 4 hours
• reaching above the shoulder
• use of fingers – good dexterity (both hands required)
• prolonged standing
• repeated bending
• stooping – walking – pushing or pulling with and without assistance from another patient care provider
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• distinguish basic colors
• good hearing (aid permitted)
• good vision
• speed in working and emotional stability
• Must have the ability to wear a Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and an apron for long periods of time.

Duties

• VA Careers – Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist: https://youtube.com/embed/I-4ku5UMvWM Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional DRTs perform at full performance
• DRTs at this level must be qualified to independently provide services in specialized areas of Radiologic technology and/or general radiologic technology services with only oversight or direction for highly complex issues
• Prepares contrast materials under the direction of the radiologist for the purpose of performing exams requiring injectable solutions such as cystograms – cholangiograms and for the purpose of performing oral and rectal exams of the GI tract
• (In the case of injected media – a patient consent form must be obtained – when indicated)
• These procedures require the use of needles – syringes – isovue – Omnipaque – gastrografin – barium – and enema bags
• The radiographer must know the side effects of the contrast media used and the adverse reactions
• Improper use or administration of the contrast materials in the risk of patient mortality – therefore – it is essential that a thorough understanding of usage be possessed by those who prepare it
• Help to maintain effective control of the Radiology department by coordinating – organizing – and executing the work potential to expedite workflow patterns within the department
• Performs all Diagnostic procedures to include all administrative duties associated with each
• Validates all images prior to transmitting them to VistA/VUE Explorer to be interpreted by the professional staff
• Keeps abreast of technological advances in the fields of Radiology
• Successful completion of all required educational classes and successfully receives all Continuing Education Units (CEU’S) as governed by the ARRT – to maintain an active status with the ARRT Society
• Maintain current BLS certification and complete all required TMS courses in a timely manner
• Maximize efficiency in the number of exams performed without compromising the quality of patient care
• Continuously works to develop a cohesive and effective team with other areas of the Radiology Department and the entire facility to expedite quality patient care
• Performs Diagnostic procedures on a high volume of patients to include outpatients – inpatients – procedures performed with the C-arm in the operating room – fluoroscopic procedures – as well as portable exams
• Responsible for explaining exams to competent patients in terms the patient will comprehend as well as understanding potential hazards that may occur as a result of the exam
• Depending on procedure can recognize allergic reactions and initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation
• Properly identify patients correctly
• Uses two identifiers to Identify patients before starting any Radiology exam/procedure
• Properly label all images with Right or Left markers
• This is essential so that mistaken identity of films to patients does not occur
• The radiographer must be certain patient identification and requests are identical
• Practices radiation safety to reduce exposure to patients – staff – and self
• This is achieved by the appropriate use of lead aprons – lead gloves – lead shields – lead lined walls – collimation – and distance management
• Film badges are worn by the radiographer to assure compliance to radiation regulations and guidelines of the state
• Exercises extreme caution in the handling and safeguarding of all radiation producing equipment
• Must recognize and report major equipment malfunctions within a timely manner
• Interacts with patients in a manner that is appropriate to the patient’s age – physical and emotional condition
• Answers all questions about exams to reduce patient anxiety
• Demonstrates courtesy and respect of patients – family members – fellow employees – including volunteers – students – and other co-workers in the work environment
• Receives and interprets all radiology requests
• Inputs pertinent radiology information into computer
• Responsible for making routine calibrations on equipment
• Participates in annual training provided in the set-up – use – re-processing – and maintenance of unit/department -specific Reusable Medical Device (RMD)
• Timely sets up RMD in preparation for a procedure as outlined in the equipment Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)
• Assists in the training of rotating x-ray students – technologists – and volunteers within the Radiology department
• After each Fluoroscopic exam – appropriately records the Fluoroscopy dose in VISTA – the Dose log books and places Fluoroscopy education notes in CPRS
• All other duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday: 8:00am to 4:30pm
• 7:30am to 4:00pm when assigned to Surgery rotation
• Required to rotate weekends and holidays
• Functional Statement #: 61244F Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized

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