Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (MRI)

Summary

The Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (MRI) functions as a member of a highly specialized - highly autonomous team responsible for the day-to-day processes and activities that impact the Radiology Department and the providers who utilize diagnostic MR services to diagnose and treat patients at Beckley VAMC. Independently performs routine to very complex MRI studies. Specialized knowledge of cross-sectional anatomy - complex computing - and physics to complete these types of studies is required.

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)
• Loss of Credential: An employee in this occupation who fails to obtain certification within two years - or who fails to maintain the required certification must be removed from the occupation - which may also result in termination of employment
• Grandfathering Provision: All persons employed in VHA as a DRT on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title - series and grade held - including positive education and certification that are part of the basic requirements of the DRT occupation
• For employees who do not meet all of the basic requirements in this standard - but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it - the following provisions apply: (1) DRTs that require a certification - may be reassigned - promoted up to and including the full performance (journeyman) level - or changed to lower grade within the occupation - but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions
• (2) DRTs that require a certification only at higher grade levels must meet the certification requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels
• (3) DRTs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed - on a temporary or permanent basis - until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard
• (4) DRTs initially grandfathered into this occupation - who subsequently obtain additional education and/or certification that meet all of the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation
• (5) Employees who are retained as a DRT under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry as a DRT
• NOTE: Each uncertified VHA DRT who was permanently employed on June 21 - 1986 - and whose competence in the safe administration of ionizing radiation was affirmed - in writing - by a VA licensed physician not later than January 1 - 1987 - is considered fully qualified
• These employees may be promoted - changed to lower grade - or reassigned within the GS-0647 occupational series
• Any employee initially retained in this manner who leaves this job series loses protected status and must meet the full requirements in effect at the time of reentry
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• English Language Proficiency: DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d)
• Grade Requirements: Specialized Assignments: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MR)
• This specialty modality requires additional knowledge of superconducting magnets - the physics of superconducting magnets - and how they relate to the human anatomy in medical imaging
• The technologist must be educated in the safety factors governing a magnetic environment that patients - visitors - and equipment enter
• The practitioner must have specialized knowledge of cross sectional anatomy and how it relates to the soft tissues and vessels of the human body
• The technologist must also have specialized knowledge in the radio-frequency surface coils required for each specific anatomical area to be imaged
• This assignment may also perform basic magnetic resonance safety program duties
• Technologists must be knowledgeable in contrast media - power injectors - and PACS
• DRT assignments that include performance of independent duties in this subspecialty require advanced ARRT (MR) certification
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for appointment - the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates: Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist - GS-9 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
• Examples of assignments and knowledge - skills and abilities (KSA's) at the GS-08 grade level include but are not limited to: Assignment: 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
• KSA's: 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
• Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities - GS-09 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 (*): *Ability to balance the needs of patients and staff while still performing complex scans and procedures
• Knowledge of techniques for gathering relevant information from the medical record - significant others - and health care providers
• *Ability to assess factors that may contraindicate the procedure
• Knowledge of basic first aid and basic life support practices related to radiography
• Knowledge of physical assessment - aseptic techniques - intravenous methods and techniques and universal precautions
• Knowledge of pre-procedural - procedural - and post-procedural care of patients
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Functions or Scope of Assigned Duties include but are not limited to: The incumbent performs MRI and will discuss any case that deviates from normal protocol set by the radiologist
• Only general supervision from a radiologist or supervisory technologist is required in most instances - although some extremely difficult procedures require close consultation with a radiologist or medical officer
• Follows standard operating procedures to perform MRI/MRA of the head - brain - vascular system - extremities - spine - internal organs - joints - and bones for purposes of diagnosing complex conditions - disease - or injury routinely undetectable through alternate imaging modalities
• Occasionally deviates from standard procedures to adapt for deformities of body injuries - and other variable considerations such as age and weight of patient
• Operates complex radiology computer equipment as part of the diagnostic plan for patients
• Sets up the scanning suite
• Assures that sterile supplies - local anesthetics - contrast materials - catheters - and other required equipment are present and laid out
• Selects and sets technical factors for very difficult radiographic examinations
• Sets up and adjusts accessory equipment required and makes exposures necessary for requested procedures
• Determines technical factors - sets controls - and operates equipment
• Determines technical factors to obtain diagnostic exam results - sets controls and operates equipment ensuring that the portion of the body specified is optimally imaged using MR technology
• Receives assignments that require application of standard and non-standard procedures and seeks advice or the assistance of a radiologist when questions or uncertainty about a scan arises
• Interprets requests or instructions from radiologists or medical officers
• Must possess the knowledge and skills to adequately communicate the details of a patient examination or situation and act on verbal guidance or instructions provided by the radiologist
• Performs patient management activities - which may involve assistance with gowning a patient
• Secures the confidence and cooperation of patients during procedures
• Independently explains procedures - and positions patients for a variety of very difficult procedures
• Responsible for ensuring that no patient enters the scanning suite with a condition that may cause injury to the patient - employee - or equipment
• Technologist may be required to perform initial telephonic screening of patient for conditions/criteria that would deem patient unsuitable for MR exam
• At time of appointment - technologist will perform final screening of patient in an attempt to determine if a patient has any condition/criteria (type of metallic implant or foreign metal body) that may cause injury or death upon entering the high strength magnetic field of the scanner
• Administers contrast materials intravenously under the supervision of a radiologist
• Provides an assessment of the patient's condition throughout the patient's stay in the department and responds appropriately when a patient's condition falls below the baseline assessment of what is stable
• Maintains electronic records such as daily log of patients - statistical reports - and images files
• Performs image management - data archiving and the case editing of examinations upon completion of each scan
• Maintains permanent record of scans in digital archive
• Work Schedule: FT - Monday - Friday - 8am - 4:30 pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized Pay: Competitive salary and 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) and 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
• Functional Statement #: 517-24029-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

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.