Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist

Summary

The Long Beach VA Medical Center is currently recruiting for one (1) Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist for the Diagnostic Imaging Department. The technologist will perform examinations to the level that was determined according to DRT Quality Standards. This position requires providing care/service to a critically ill through rehabilitating patient, adult through geriatric population, in a manner that demonstrates an understanding of the functional/developmental age of the individual served.

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Duties

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Major duties but are not limited to:

• 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.
• The technician must also troubleshoot equipment used for diagnostic radiology and exercise extreme caution in the handling and safeguarding of all radiation producing equipment and assist higher graded technologists in performing more complicated examination.
• Deviations from regular procedures, unanticipated problems, and unfamiliar situations are referred to the supervisor for a decision or help.
• General radiologic technology services with only occasional oversight or direction for highly complex issues.
• Ensures compliance with National Patient Safety Goals by properly identifying appropriate patient(s) for the proper exam or imaging study. Uses left and right markers. This is essential so that mistaken identity does not occur.
• The technologist must confirm the identification of the patient prior to beginning any study by using two (2) identifiers such as last name, VA ID number, last four numbers of the patient's SS number, date of birth or, in the case of ER or inpatients, the patients ID band.
• Must be able to operate equipment, both fixed and mobile units, includes direct capture digital as part of the diagnostic imaging plan for patients.
• 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.
• Prepares and administers contrast materials under the direction of the radiologist for the purpose of performing exams requiring injectable solutions such as IVP, cystogram, cholangiograms Fistulogram, and arthrography and for the purpose of performing oral and rectal exams of the GI tract.
• Part of compliance with radiation safety regulations and guidelines ensures technologists wear radiation exposure monitoring badge(s) when in designated radiation areas.
• Knowledgeable in computerized (and digital radiography (CR/DR) and picture archiving and communications systems (PACS).

Work Schedule : Tour of Duty varies based on the needs of the facility

Telework : Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement # : 000000

Fi nancial Disclosure Report: Not required

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives : Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

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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 ( 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 acertified 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).]
• English Language Proficiency: DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and7407(d)

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 for Diagnostic Radiologic Technician, GS-05

• Experience or Education . None beyond the basic requirements.

Grade Determinations for Diagnostic Radiologic Technician, GS-06:

• Experience or Education . At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade 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.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities . In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
  • Knowledge of basic technique standards for minimum radiographic exposure.
  • Knowledge of anatomy and positioning.
  • Knowledge of all patient safety procedures.
  • Knowledge of radiographic producing equipment.
  • Ability to learn basic computer functions.

Grade Determinations for Diagnostic Radiologic Technician, GS-07:

• 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.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities . In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
  • Knowledge of the technical adequacy of the digital image, including the ability to adjust the image quality in the digital system.
  • Knowledge of different contrast material required for the requested study.
  • 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.
  • Knowledge of computed radiography, CR readers and Digital Imaging systems.
  • Knowledge of PACS and basic computer skills.

Grade Determinations for Diagnostic Radiologic Technician, GS-08:

• Experience . At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities . In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
  • Ability to check system for operation and assess acceptable performance based on established guidelines.
  • Knowledge of calibration parameters and the ability to make adjustments as needed.
  • Knowledge of patient's clinical record, diagnosis, and laboratory results.
  • Ability to monitor patient's physiologic changes during the procedure and keep the radiologist informed.
  • Skill in using tact, diplomacy, and courtesy in dealings with the customer base, patients, staff, family, visitors, and volunteers.
  • Knowledge of anatomy and physiology, and cross-sectional anatomy, recognizing unusual images, and determining proper positioning to best demonstrate areas of interest.

Preferred Experience: DRT performs a variety of fixed, fluoroscopic, and portable radiographs according to department and DRT quality standards. The technologist will perform examinations the level that was determined according to DRT Quality Standards. This position requires providing care/service to a critically ill through rehabilitating patient, adult through geriatric population, in a manner that demonstrates an understanding of the functional/developmental age of the individual served.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-05 to GS-08.

Physical Requirements: Physical demands are usually moderate: Lifting objects up to 40 pounds, moving specialized equipment and assisting patients from gurney to a procedure or scan table. Occasionally, the technician assists with the moving of heavy equipment or large patients, but this done with the assistance of others to minimize the danger to individual.

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit:

Additional information

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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