Lead Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (MR)

Summary

The Lead Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (MR) is located within the Imaging Services at the Birmingham VA Health Care System. This position has the overall responsibility for the coordination, safety, and performance of the MRI areas.

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Duties

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Under the general direction of the Chief Technologist of Radiology, the Lead will direct, assist, oversee, plan and develop activities for MRI area at BVAMC as well as other staff (MRI) technologist duties. The incumbent assures optimum patient care, quality control, and the economically efficient performance of all activities under his/her supervision. The incumbent must possess the ability to direct, assign, oversee and support multiple staff members and when appropriate, inform the Chief Technologist of any incident or situation that could warrant possible disciplinary actions. Incumbent will work closely with the technologist, radiologists, clinicians, and clerical staff to assure optimum patient care is understood to be the primary goal of the MRI area and that there is a high-quality diagnostic exam done with a positive patient satisfaction. Technologist operates independently and without direct supervision as the technologist responsible for the coordination and performance of all diagnostic radiology MRI exams and MR guided biopsy procedures. These exams are performed with and without contrast materials. The purpose of these exams is to achieve diagnostic studies so that proper diagnosis and treatment will be delivered.

The duties performed are almost exclusively hands-on technical duties. While there will be responsibilities to oversee work distribution (on a patient by patient basis) and to assist the supervisors with scheduling and other administrative duties. The incumbent will participate in the scanning of patients, especially with difficult patients, complex exams, or with less experienced technologists. He/she will monitor workflow efficiency, while dealing with any patient's issue as they might arises. The incumbent will assign daily duties or assignment to all staff MRI technologists such as patient prep, screening, and scanning. He/she works with radiologist by gathering data and assist in protocoling studies, performing quality control checks on studies prior to dismissing the patients and assisting radiologist with complex post-processing and gathering data to assist with reporting, assisting the radiologists in notifying referring physicians of critical results, and working with radiologists to develop and implement SOPs and to assure compliance in the various technical areas.

The Lead Technologist is a technologist who work in MRI modality with an advanced certification in MR which requires additional knowledge of superconducting magnets. Additionally, he/she work with the MRSO for training staff MR technologists on all safety protocols.

Work Schedule : Work Schedule: 8:30am-5:30pm Monday-Friday, with holidays, weekend, and some on-call if needed. This subject to change based on the operational needs of the agency

Telework : Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Title/Functional Statement # : Lead Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist/FS-53641F

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives : Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Fi nancial Disclosure Report: Not Required

Preferred Experience: MR certification is highly desirable for this level of complexity but not required.

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.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• 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 dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.

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

. 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.

General Radiologic Technology (R). DRTs 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 to locate injuries, foreign bodies, pathological conditions, or lesions within the body. They prepare and administer contrast media and medications in accordance with State and Federal regulations. All DRTs must be knowledgeable in computerized [and digital radiography (CR/DR),] and picture archiving and communications systems (PACS).

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). 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:

Lead Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist , GS-10

(1)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. 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.

(2) Assignments. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. DRTs at this grade level may be appointed to one of the following assignments:

Lead Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist: Employees are trained to work in one or more difficult and complex modalities performing procedures related to these modalities as well as performing general diagnostic procedures. At this grade level, any assignment in a single modality must demonstrate significant complexity. Such assignments are unique, perhaps with expert specialization in complex areas of radiologic technology, Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) regulations, and intermediate QM type duties within the program. The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs:

1. Knowledge of radiation protection standards, devices and techniques, including concepts of accumulated dosage, dose monitoring, and genetic changes.
2. Ability to utilize advanced imaging software that supports complex imaging programs and recognize changes in equipment and procedures that might result in increased exposures, and ability to recommend methods to prevent such exposures.
3. Knowledge of basic physics including concepts of energy, electric power, magnetic fields, and properties of x-ray, to understand the operation of the equipment.
4. Knowledge and skill in positioning of patients for a wide variety of highly complex imaging (CT, MRI, IR, ultrasound, mammography) studies.

References: VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G25 Dated December 13, 2019.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-10.

Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, walking 6 hours, standing 8 hours, specific visual requirement, specific hearing requirements, emotional and mental stability, ability to read typewritten characters with or w/o glasses, ability to hear conversational voice with or w/o hearing aid.

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 or 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.

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 to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.

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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