Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist

Summary

This is located within the Loma Linda Imaging Service Line. Diagnostic Radiologic Technologists perform procedures and examinations in hospitals or clinics under the direction of radiologists and other medical officers. The objective of the examinations and procedures is to produce radiographic studies that are used in medical diagnosis and interpreted by medical officers.

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Duties

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This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until October 22, 2026 . The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be 1 April 2026, with subsequent cut-off dates on the 1st of each month.

VA Careers - Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist:

Major Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Receives/Interprets Exam Requests -Receives written requests or instructions for procedures.
• Receives assignments for a variety of difficult examinations. Independently interprets and carries out the requests made by physician.
• Secures the confidence and cooperation of patients during procedures; Independently explains procedures, positions the patient for optimal results, and cushions and shields patients as appropriate.
• Administers contrast materials orally, by enema, or, in some circumstances, intravenously under the supervision of a Radiologist, other Physician, or medical officer.
• Analyzes the patient needs, determines and selects the technical factors for optimum diagnostic quality, sets the controls and operates equipment.
• Performs quality control procedures as required and maintains an adequate level of supplies and safety equipment.
• Operates Direct Radiography (DR) equipment as well as conventional Radiology equipment, portable, fluoroscopic and O.R. equipment.
• Determines technical factors (i.e., calculates the correct exposure factors of time, distance, kilovoltage, and milliamperage) based on the body part and the individual patient factors.
• Sets the controls and operates equipment ensuring that the portion of the body specified receives the correct calculated exposure necessary for high quality images, but at the lowest possible exposure to the patient.
• Alters, selects and sets technical factors for very difficult patient situations, and specialized radiographic examinations.
• Sets up and adjusts accessory equipment required, and makes exposures necessary to successfully complete the requested procedures.
• Performs additional procedures such as bone densitometry.
• As a team member with a Radiologist, and other medical officers performs procedures such as cystograms, urethrograms, ERCPs, VFSS, U.G.I. series, and barium/ air contrast barium enemas and all other routine radiological examinations.
• Sets up the X-ray room with appropriate supplies and equipment, assuring that sterile supplies, local anesthetics, contrast materials, catheters, and other required equipment are present and ready for the upcoming procedure.
• Performs procedures on the Units, the Emergency Department and the Operating Rooms with portable x-ray machines, and portable fluoroscopic C-arm machines.
• Registers patients for examinations and updates status as necessary.
• Performs relevant clerical duties as they relate to patient care within the section, maintaining logs of patients and procedures used as required.
• Reviews new developments and makes recommendations to the unit to adopt those which would improve the operations of the Diagnostic Radiology section.
• Independently performs all routine and specialized radiographic examinations of head, spine, trunk, G.I. track, urological system and extremities for diagnosis of illness or injuries.
• Performs consultations with clinicians to obtain complete clinical history; gather pertinent clinical data prior to requested procedure.
• Provide education to patients and their families on Imaging procedures.
• Cleans equipment and the area after each use and in preparation of the next procedure to be performed.
• Performs required routine maintenance and recognizes and reports malfunctioning equipment to ensure repair.
• Captures direct radiographic (DR), applies an algorithm, configures the image and verifies patient information before transmitting them to the picture archive system (PACS).
• Incorrect patient images, or patient information must be reported to the Supervisor, and the Technologist must fill out a patient mis-archived form for documentation of the correction.
• Other duties as assigned

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

Work Schedule : Irregular Hours, TBD.

Telework : Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position

Functional Statement # : 000000

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.
• English Language Proficiency. DRTs appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
• Certification. Applicants must be certified in general radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology, Radiography (ARRT) (R).
• Education. Applicant must have completed a full-time training course of at least 24 months in a 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 other accrediting agencies as recognized by the Department of Education (DOE).

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 DRT under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B). The appointing official may waive the requirement of certification for a period not to exceed two years for a DRT that provides care under the supervision of a certified DRT 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.

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 :

In addition to the basic requirements above, candidates must meet the following grade requirements. GS-5 Experience or Education: None beyond the basic requirements above.

Assignment. DRTs at this level operate and monitor commonly used equipment performing routine procedures under general supervision. The technician functions somewhat independently in carrying out these standardized procedures of limited complexity. Deviations from regular procedures, unanticipated problems, and unfamiliar situations are referred to the supervisor for a decision or help. Some assignments at this level also include developmental duties involving more complex procedures designed to prepare the technician for promotion to higher grades in a functional area. Such duties are performed under closer supervision.

GS-6 Experience or Education: Applicants must have at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-5) 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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

1. Knowledge of basic technique standards for minimum radiographic exposure.
2. Knowledge of anatomy and positioning.
3. Knowledge of all patient safety procedures.
4. Knowledge of radiographic producing equipment.
5. Ability to learn basic computer functions.

Assignment. Employees at this grade level serve as developmental DRTs, performing examinations which are routine and standardized in nature. They explain exams to patients in terms they can understand as well as potential hazards. They must also troubleshoot equipment used for diagnostic radiology and exercise extreme caution in the handling and safeguarding of all radiation producing equipment. DRTs must report major equipment malfunctions within a timely manner to service representatives and assist higher graded technologists in performing more complicated examinations.

GS-7 Experience or Education: Applicants must have 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. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

1. Knowledge of the technical adequacy of the digital image, including the ability to adjust the image quality in the digital system.
2. Knowledge of different contrast material required for the requested study.
3. 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.
4. Knowledge of computed radiography, CR readers and Digital Imaging systems.
5. Knowledge of PACS and basic computer skills.

Assignment. DRTs at this level perform a full range of duties but receive guidance and directions regarding unfamiliar or unusual situations for more complex patient issues. Candidates at this grade level may be qualified to provide services in specialized areas of radiologic technology and/or general radiologic technology services.

GS-8 Experience or Education: Applicants must have at least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

1. Ability to check system for operation and assess acceptable performance based on established guidelines.
2. Knowledge of calibration parameters and the ability to make adjustments as needed.
3. Knowledge of patient's clinical record, diagnosis, and laboratory results.
4. Ability to monitor patient's physiologic changes during the procedure and keep the radiologist informed.
5. Skill in using tact, diplomacy, and courtesy in dealings with the customer base, patients, staff, family, visitors, and volunteers.
6. Knowledge of anatomy and physiology, and cross-sectional anatomy, recognizing unusual images, and determining proper positioning to best demonstrate areas of interest.

Assignments. 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.

References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G25- Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist Qualification Standard. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8 . The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-5 to GS-8 .

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

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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