Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist

Summary

This position is located at the VA Loma Linda Healthcare System in Loma Linda California. The Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (IR) provides Diagnostic Radiologic support/coverage in the Interventional Radiographic room and performs a wide variety of sophisticated Angiographic procedures and receives and interprets requests or instructions for procedures for Angiography and Diagnostics Radiology.

Learn more about this agency

Duties

Help

VA Careers - Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist:

Duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Independently reviews each requisition to assure that the patient history and area of complaint is consistent with the exam requested.
• Make independent determinations and take appropriate corrective actions, including contacting the Referring Physician, Nurse Manager etc. including radiologist.
• Interview the patient to obtain additional clinical information.
• Verifies the patient's identity using the JCAHO recommended method.
• 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.
• Be part of a Moderate Sedation team, when patients require sedation.
• Use a wide variety of computerized equipment such as Direct Digital Radiography (DR), Angiographic equipment, Digital Fluoroscopy, Computer Acquisition and port-processing workstations, PACS viewing stations, Xero Viewer desk top viewing software, and hospital computer systems such as VISTA, CPRS, and EHR.
• Be fully competent in the use of all computerized equipment in the Diagnostic section as well as the Interventional Radiology unit. Must make continuous assessments of the image quality and equipment performance for optimum image quality.
• Be able to work in a surgical type of environment where a sterile field must be maintained.
• Maintain the assigned room with proper medical and Emergency supplies needed for optimal patient care and efficiency.
• Work in all areas within the Diagnostic Area and outside of the department such as portable x-rays and portable fluoroscopic exams.
• Responsible for performing inventory in both the IR section and Fluoroscopy section following the IR Inventory SOP and reporting any discrepancies to their Supervisor immediately. This includes checking the expiration dates on all items used in Interventional, marking them as stated in the SOP, and prior to handing the item off to another department for use.
• Maintain all record keeping that is required and takes an active role in the hospital and Radiology QM and safety programs.

Work Schedule : Irregular tour position (Weekends/Evenings/Nights)

Compressed/Flexible :Service line discretion

Telework : Not available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement # : 000000

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives : Not authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

Help

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:

• Citizenship: Citizen of the United States.
• 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.
• 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: In addition to the basic requirements above, candidates must meet the following grade requirements. GS-9 Diagnostics Radiologic Technologist Experience:

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. Experience at the next lower grade level includes, but is not limited to:

• Checking system for operation and assess acceptable performance based on established guidelines
• Calibrating parameters and the ability to make adjustments as needed.
• Knowledge of patient's clinical record, diagnosis, and laboratory results.
• Monitoring patient's physiologic changes during the procedure and keep the radiologist informed.
• 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.

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate these Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA's):

1. Ability to balance the needs of patients and staff while still performing complex scans and procedures.
2. Knowledge of techniques for gathering relevant information from the medical record, significant others, and health care providers.
3. Ability to assess factors that may contraindicate the procedure.
4. Knowledge of basic first aid and basic life support practices related to radiography.
5. Knowledge of physical assessment, aseptic techniques, intravenous methods and techniques and universal precautions.
6. Knowledge of pre-procedural, procedural, and post-procedural care of patients.

Assignment. Employees at this level are fully functional as an advanced DRT and carry out their assigned tasks independently. DRTs at this level may have varying assignments including special and complex imaging procedures beyond the full performance level, clinical instruction, and basic QM type duties within the program. Regardless of the nature of the specific assignment, the work must be of sufficient scope and complexity to meet the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform at this level.

Computed Tomography (CT). This specialty modality requires specific knowledge of cross sectional human anatomy and its application in spiral, and/or, multi-slice computer tomography, inclusive of 3-D reconstruction scans, including drainages, biopsies, and peripheral vascular examinations. The technologist requires specific knowledge and training in the location, appearance, and function of the various major and minor systems susceptible to radiological illumination; to interpret the examination request accurately; to understand the functioning and inter relationship of the various organs; to use the methods and techniques which will identify organs appearing on the digital display monitor, or on film, and the various stages of the examination to judge the acceptability of the image and/or scan for diagnostic use and to emphasize the aspects of interest to the physician. DRT assignments that include performance of independent duties in this subspecialty require advanced ARRT certification.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9 .

Physical Requirements: Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist's work requires long periods of standing and walking up to 8 hours. There is repeated bending, pushing/ pulling, reaching above shoulders, use of both hands (hands and fingers), twisting and carrying of moderately heavy articles weighing from 15-44 pounds such as multiple cassettes, grids, as well as wearing lead aprons. Movement of moderately heavy equipment is generally power assisted such as portable machines. Positioning of patients who are disabled may require considerable effort and working in awkward positions. Heavy lifting of incapacitated patients is done only with help of other employees and devices provided by the Radiology Section. 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.

Help

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.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.