Summary

This position performs technical work in support of diagnostic radiology of a diagnostic radiologic technologist - occasionally receiving guidance from more experienced staff for more complex patients and situations.

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:

• U.S Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States
• (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3g.) 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)
• NOTE: Assignment to the clinical program director requires meeting JRCERT minimum educational standards as noted in the assignment description
• English Language Proficiency: DRT's must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d)
• 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 for appointment - the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates: 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
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Ability to check the 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 the patient's clinical record - diagnosis - and laboratory results
• Ability to monitor the 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: 3 years experience working independently as an X-ray/C-arm technologist
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08
• Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation - see Duties section for essential job duties of the position
• May require standing - lifting - carrying - sitting - stooping - bending - puling - and pushing
• May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment
• Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions
• the area is adequately lighted - heated - and ventilated
• However - the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The Diagnostic Radiologic Technician assists physicians in performing diagnostic radiologic examinations and imaging-guided procedures - as well as perform basic patient care and can recognize/respond to emergency conditions
• The primary duties may include but are not limited to: Operate various healthcare and radiology specific information systems to receive - document - and transmit information to perform their duties
• Operates picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) to transmit completed imaging examinations to supervisors for review prior to submission to the interpreting physicians
• Uses imaging protocols to determine preparation - patient positioning - radiation doses - and other factors to produce images that meet the facility's quality standards
• Operates general X-Ray producing equipment like radiology - fluoroscopy - C-Arm - and portable units
• Ensure the equipment is properly warmed-up and operating within safety standards in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications
• Adheres to radiation safety program standards to ensure occupational - patient - and general population radiation doses utilizing the \"as low as reasonably achievable\" concept
• Identifies radiation - blood-borne - respiratory - and other safety hazards
• reports them to the appropriate individual if the incumbent cannot resolve independently
• Communicate with the patient - family members - and other healthcare workers to achieve desired outcomes
• Does not interpret imaging examinations or communicate opinions of diagnoses - prognosis - or treatment plans with patient or family members
• Utilizes the VA \"I CARE\" model to resolve basic customer complaints
• Consults with supervisory staff to resolve complaints above the incumbent's ability to resolve
• Performs operator-level quality assurance test and occasional trouble shooting activities on imaging equipment in accordance with local policies and within the manufacturer's specifications
• Work Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30pm - Monday - Friday - (Subject to change based on the needs of the agency) 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
• Travel required: You may be expected to travel between the Joint Ambulatory Care Center and the Navy Hospital in Pensacola based on needs of the Service
• Functional Statement #'s: 520-00187-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized