Summary

The Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (Magnetic Resonance Imaging-MRI) is located within the Imaging Services at the Birmingham VA Health Care System. This position is responsible and assist with any safety and performance issues in MRI. He/she works with the technologists - radiologists - clinicians - Lead Technologist - supervisors - Chief Technologist - and clerical staff to assure optimum quality control - high quality diagnostic/therapeutic exam - and patient satisfaction.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• 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 2 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).] Credentialing Standards
• Public Law 97-35 - the Consumer-Patient Radiation Health and Safety Act of 1981 - requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75 - Standards for the Accreditation of Educational Programs and the Credentialing of Radiographic Personnel
• Essentially - they must have successfully completed an educational program that meets or exceeds the standards described in that regulation and is accredited by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and be certified as radiographers in their field 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
• 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
• Grade Determinations: 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
• 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 Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist
• 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
• 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 https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: The work for the DRT/QM/Advanced Diagnostic Radiology Technologist (DRT) is sedentary - as well as physical
• See VA Handbook 5019.

Duties

• The duties and responsibilities of the MRI Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist include - but are not limited to the following: The incumbent serves as operator of a MRI scanner - as well as accessory equipment
• The operator will suggest position techniques and assist in devise alternative ways to visualize pathology within the patient
• Interaction with physicians - physicists - computer programs - and biomed engineers will be a normal occurrence of the daily duties as an operator
• The incumbent provides patient care - which is appropriate to the cognitive - emotional - and chronological maturation needs of the adult and/or geriatric patient
• Positions patient within the MRI scanner - monitors patient during all phases of the examination - and removes patient from the scanner upon completion of the data acquisition
• Coordinates with the radiologist and/or ordering clinician to determine the most ideal protocols for each individualized patient examination
• Programs technical factors by interrogating computer console and responding with inputs that will result in the optimal protocol
• Monitors the examination by checking computations - performances - and results of the selected protocol to obtain the best diagnostic computer-generated data and images
• Assists manufacturer representative and biomedical engineers in the calibration and troubleshooting of malfunctions associated with the MRI scanner
• Maintains equipment malfunction and downtime log
• Establishes and monitors quality control programs
• Evaluates equipment to ensure it is safe for MRI operation and make certain MRI equipment meets requirements
• Maintains computer data and technical parameters on each examination
• Maintains supplies required for all MRI examinations
• Makes sure all exams are transmitted to PACS for permanent record keeping of completed exams
• Maintains records on all patients and examinations performed and contrast used to complete exam
• Completes QC prior to start of patient care for the day
• Must keep his/her knowledge related to MR Safety and infection control updated
• Also - be familiar with agency policies and regulations to follow it accordingly
• Explains examinations to be performed to the patients and staff so that an understanding of the purpose of the studies as well as any requirements of the patients are thoroughly understood
• This is done so that an adequate MRI exam may be obtained to get diagnostic examinations for the purpose of treatment and diagnosis of disorders
• Performs - monitors - and verify safety checks on patients - employees - and visitors who might have medical devices or implants that are contraindicated for MRI
• Functions as a full performance level Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (Radiography-R) as needed underneath the Supervisory DRT (General Radiology) or Chief Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist/Imaging Program Administrator in compliance with the National Health Physic Program (NHPP) and The Joint Commission regulations regarding ionizing producing radiation equipment
• Ensure that the radiation safety and MR safety program is followed by informing patients and staff about established required safety areas and enforce any unauthorized entry to those areas
• Provides safeguard assurance that only trained employees - educated visitors - and patients are allowed in the exam room
• Incumbent must be professional - cooperative - and be able to work with other employees
• Incumbent may be required to perform other duties assigned by Imaging Service administration
• Other duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 11:30am - 8:00pm - with rotating weekends - holidays - and some on-call coverage for weekends
• This subject to change based on the operational needs of the agency
• Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: FS-59189F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized