Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist

Summary

The VA Eastern Colorado HealthCare System (ECHCS) is complexity level 1a. The Rocky Mountain Regional (RMR) VAMC is one of the largest VA hospitals in the US with 182 beds and includes a 30-bed spinal cord injury-disease treatment center. The Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist at this level are fully functional & can carry out assigned tasks independently and requires current & maintained American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification.

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) - and 7407(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) - 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
• Exception for Non-Certified - Entry Level Candidates
• Non-certified DRTs who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for ARRT (R) certification may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate ORT under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(8)
• The appointing official may waive the requirement of certification for a period not to exceed two years for a ORT that provides care under the supervision of a certified ORT at or above the full performance level
• This exception only applies at the GS-5 entry level technician
• For grade levels above the entry level - the candidate must be certified
• Temporary appointments of non-certified DRTs may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment
• 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)
• Grade Determinations: Diagnostic Radiologic Technician - GS-5 Experience or Education
• None beyond the basic requirements
• Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist - GS-6 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
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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: ARRT Certification
• 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: The physical demand of the work includes - 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).

Duties

• VA Careers - Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist: Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Duties &skills needed to be successful in this position include - but are not limited to: Employees at this grade level are to be qualified to provide services in specialized areas of radiologic technology and/or general radiologic technology services
• The general DRT is expected to perform standard & complex imaging protocols using advanced high cost/high technology not limited to Digital Radiography (DR)
• Incumbent must be available to work independently at various tours of duty including weekends - holidays - & on-call duties as needed
• The DRT shall perform routine diagnostic radiographic examinations of the head - cervical/thoracic/lumbar spines - chest - abdomen - & extremities in the department & possible portable settings
• Confers with radiologists for determination of non-standard exams
• determines technical factors - positioning - &sets the equipment to obtain radiographic images
• Performs radiographic exams utilizing standard protocols & reading medical history to ensure proper exams are achieved
• distributes exam requisitions according to Radiologist assignment & the level of exam priority
• Notifies radiologist of studies requiring their immediate attention such as STAT or Urgent
• Explains exams and/or procedures to the patient so the patient comprehends actions taking place
• Ensures all images going into PACS have the correct accession number for radiologist interpretation & provider's viewing
• Registers - requests - cancels - & edits exams through varies computer programs including but not limited to: Radiology Information System (RIS) - VISTA - VISTA Imaging - CPRS
• Informs patient of all pertinent preparations for his/her exam
• Practices radiation safety to reduce exposure to patients - staff - & self by following the principles of ALARA Screens all child-bearing age patients (12-55 years old) if they are or think they may be pregnant
• Ensures film badge(s) are properly worn when performing radiographic examinations
• Troubleshoots problems & reports them to their supervisor & the correct authority to fix (i.e
• PACS Administrator - Maximo request - I.T
• requests - etc.)
• The DRT is a steward of proper handling of the radiographic equipment &its peripheral components to ensure longevity of operation
• Performs basic & some advanced PACS procedures using various applications to ensure proper handling of image storge & dissemination to various customers to include but not limited to patients - providers - & other facilities
• Following Release of Information (ROI) & HIPAA guidelines - incumbent shall follow procedures to \"burn\" exams onto a computer disc (CD) using current hardware & software programs
• Maintains flexibility & competency in assigned duties with no supervision during non-duty hours
• DRT shall ensure department security is upheld
• physical security includes locking doors when applicable & security of patient information to prevent HIPAA violations
• The DRT performs administrative duties
• answering the phone - registering patients for exams - ensuring proper prep sheets/ questionnaires are properly filled out - & burning CDs of exams when requested
• Incumbent maintains adequate supplies so that examinations are not delayed due to lack of necessary equipment & supplies
• Maintains required licensure(s) & skill certifications to include ARRT - BLS/CPR - & assigned activities through TMS and/or other training modules mandated through the VHA
• Performs other related duties as assigned
• Pay: Competitive salary & regular salary increases
• When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) & federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Work Schedule: Dayshift-Varied Functional Statement #: 52033-A - 52034-A - 52035-A - 52036-A

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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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