Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (Special Procedures)

Summary

This position is located at Radiology Service with VA San Diego Healthcare System. Technologist receives and interprets requests or instructions for procedures in both CT and Angio/Interventional. Employee reviews pre-procedure laboratory test results and determines if results fall within the established safety limits for receiving iodinated contrast material (BUN - Creatinine) and that blood coagulation levels (PT - INR) are within safe levels.

Qualifications

Resume Requirement: Your resume must be detailed include the following information: Job title - description of duties - beginning and ending date (month/year) of employment; and average hours worked per week.

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: Must be proficient in spoken and written English
• 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
• Certification: Certification in general radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology - Radiography (ARRT)(R) - and an advanced ARRT certification in computed tomography (CT)
• 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: Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist - GS-10: In addition to the Basic Requirements listed above - the following education and experience criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: Experience: At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-9) directly related to this position performing procedures related to CT/IR as well as general diagnostic procedures
• 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
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• Employees are trained to work in one or more difficult and complex modalities performing procedures related to these modalities as well as performing general diagnostic procedures
• At this grade level - any assignment in a single modality must demonstrate significant complexity
• Such assignments are unique - perhaps with expert specialization in complex areas of radiologic technology - Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) regulations - and intermediate QM type duties within the program
• In addition to the experience above - you must also demonstrate all of the following technical knowledge - skills - and abilities (must be demonstrated in resume): Knowledge of radiation protection standards - devices and techniques - including concepts of accumulated dosage - dose monitoring - and genetic changes
• Ability to utilize advanced imaging software that supports complex imaging programs and recognize changes in equipment and procedures that might result in increased exposures - and ability to recommend methods to prevent such exposures
• Knowledge of basic physics including concepts of energy - electric power - magnetic fields - and properties of x-ray - to understand the operation of the equipment
• Knowledge and skill in positioning of patients for a wide variety of highly complex imaging (CT - MRI - IR - ultrasound - mammography) studies
• Preferred Experience: 5 years current and continuous Full Time employment in CT and Interventional Radiology experience - within the last 4 years
• Hold a current California Radiologic Technology certificate in Radiography and Fluoroscopy
• experienced with Siemens Dual Energy CT scanners and Philips single plane and bi-plane unites
• Current BLS from American Heart Association (AHA)
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit
• Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting - moderate carrying - reaching above shoulders - use of fingers and hands required - walking - standing - and repeated bending.

Duties

• VA Careers - Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist: Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Major duties include but are not limited to: The Technologist independently reviews each requisition to assure that the patient history and area of complaint is consistent with the exam requested
• If a discrepancy exists - the Technologist will make an independent determination and take the appropriate corrective action - including contacting the Referring Physician - Nurse Manager etc
• The Technologist may need to interview the patient to obtain additional clinical information - and if needed will contact the clinician and/or clinic that made the request for clarification and may recommend a more appropriate exam to order
• The Technologist will determine what views and technique to use based on this information for maximum diagnostic effectiveness
• If the diagnostic goal is not met initially - the Technologist will make an independent decision to take additional views or alter the technique to achieve the goal before the patient leaves the department
• The Technologist verifies the patient's identity using the JCAHO recommended three (3) patient identifiers - full name - Date of Birth and full social security number
• The Technologist verifies the patient's demographic information to be sure it is correct and compatible with the DICOM format that is needed to validate patient and exam information so it can be viewed on PACS and electronically stored in the archive system
• The Technologist may be part of the Informed Consent process - and will routinely be part of the JCAHO required \"Time-out\" procedure in Angio and CT when an invasive procedure is performed
• The Technologist may be part of a Moderate Sedation team - when patients require sedation
• The Technologist must use a wide variety of computerized equipment such as the Angiographic and CT equipment - Digital Fluoroscopy - iStat blood analyzer - Computer Acquisition and postprocessing workstations - PACS viewing stations - and the hospital computer systems
• The Technologist performs computed tomography of the head - neck - spine - chest and body with and without the use of contrast materials including biopsy - interventional procedures and peripheral vascular examinations
• Performs CT guided biopsy studies of muscular skeletal system - neuro systems - lung - liver - kidney and other soft tissue sampling - abscess drainages - microwave or cyroablation studies requiring localization of wand placement
• The Technologist performs neuroangiography - including spine - head and neck studies utilizing highly sophisticated x-ray equipment such as rotational imaging - computerized fluoroscopy - pressure injectors - biplane imaging - patient monitors - etc
• The purpose of these exams is to achieve diagnostic studies of the spinal canal
• Performs peripheral and visceral angiography of the abdominal systems and extremities i.e
• renal - hepatic - mesenteric - aortic - femoral - etc
• Such procedures may be performed in the operating room
• Performs myelography of the complete spine utilizing conventional x-ray units - patient immobilizers - etc. - when required
• Performs hysterosalpingograms - arthrograms and joint injections as needed to support the service
• Performs pre-procedural - procedural and post-procedural care of patients - including basic first aid and life support practices in radiography
• Technologist will use ultrasound imaging techniques during interventional or angiographic procedures under the direction of a Radiologist for access to blood vessels - visulization of masses - organs and other areas as specified
• The Technologist must make continuous assessments of the image quality and equipment performance for optimum performance and image quality
• The Technologist will determine if the image quality problem can be corrected independently or if the problem needs to be reported to the Supervisor - Biomedical Engineering and/or the appropriate vendor for repair
• The Technologist must be able to work in a surgical type environment where a sterile field must be maintained
• The Technologist must maintain the assigned room with proper medical and Emergency supplies needed for optimal patient care and efficiency
• The Technologist is required to wear a lead apron and be on their feet for extended periods of time
• The Technologist maintains all record keeping that is required and takes an active role in the hospital and Radiology QM and safety programs
• Other duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: Saturday - Sunday 12:00am - 10:00am - Wednesday - Thursday - 7:30am - 6:00pm (Subject to change based upon the needs of the agency.) Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized for a highly qualified applicant relocating to the San Diego - CA commuting area
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized

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The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.

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