Summary

The Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (CT Tech) at the Eureka - CA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) will perform duties on both specialized assignments of General Radiologic Technology (R) and Computed Tomography (CT). DRTs perform procedures and examinations in hospitals or clinics under the direction of radiologists and other medical officers. Imaging Section percentage of Time per Imaging Section: Computerized Tomography Section 75% General Imaging 25%

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 Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d) Certification Requirement: 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 Requirement: 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)
• 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)
• Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist - GS-9 (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
• (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: (a) [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 (*): i
• *Ability to balance the needs of patients and staff while still performing complex scans and procedures
• ii
• Knowledge of techniques for gathering relevant information from the medical record - significant others - and health care providers
• iii
• *Ability to assess factors that may contraindicate the procedure
• iv
• Knowledge of basic first aid and basic life support practices related to radiography
• v
• Knowledge of physical assessment - aseptic techniques - intravenous methods and techniques and universal precautions
• vi
• Knowledge of pre-procedural - procedural - and post-procedural care of patients
• Preferred Experience: 1 year or more as a CT technologist Reference: VA Handbook 5005/119 - Part II - Appendix G25 - dated December 13 - 2019 - Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist Qualification Standards - GS-0647.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-9. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019

Duties

• 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 - including 3D reconstruction scans - as well as drainage procedures - 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 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
• Imaging Section percentage of Time per Imaging Section: Computerized Tomography Section 75% General Imaging 25% Computerized Tomography (CT) duties and responsibilities: The incumbent is an expert in all CT and CTA studies
• Performs Computerized Tomography (CT) imaging studies of the human anatomy
• The types of exams performed CT Abdomen and Pelvis - CT Angiography - CT Biliary Drainage - CT Body - CT Brain - CT Coronary Angiography with EKG Gating - CT Chest - CT Colonography - CT Bone Densitometry - CT Extremities - CT Guided BCT Head - CT Nephrostomy Drainage - CT Perfusion - CT Sinuses - CT Spine - and CT Virtual Colonoscopy
• Confers with the radiologists to establish the requirements of non-standard examinations - and determines technical factors - positioning - thickness of slices - radiation levels - and clinical requirements of the CT examinations
• Responsible for verifying and executing physician orders for diagnostic CT examinations - ensuring the proper preparation of the exams - and the safety and well-being of the patient during the procedures
• Determines the best methods of obtaining optimal CT examinations while ensuring patient safety - regulates patient flow - consults with the radiologists to determine procedural protocols or variances in established procedures
• Evaluates exam quality and makes necessary corrections to improve image quality
• General Imaging duties and responsibilities: Incumbent is the designated radiology technologist responsible for the performance and coordination of (a) General Imaging examinations - which are of typical examinations of the skull - skeletal spine - abdomen series - chest - skeletal bone - and all extremities of the skeleton - (b) Fluoroscopic examinations - which are typical examinations of the gastrointestinal tract - genitourinary tract - (c) Performs radiographic exams at the bedside and in the operating rooms providing diagnostic x-rays to the surgeons and professional staff on patients that are unable to be x-rayed in the Radiology Service due to incapacity or surgical procedures - by using portable x-ray units and mobile intensifier units - and (d) DEXA examinations - which are typical bone density examinations of the spine - extremities - and body - While performing the examinations mentioned above - the patient's condition may vary from seriously ill - comatose - and under anesthesia (often under sterile conditions)
• Prepares contrast materials under the direction of the radiologist to perform exams requiring injectable solutions such as IVP - cystogram - arthrography and for oral and rectal exams of the GI tract
• In the case of injected media - a patient consent form must be obtained
• The incumbent monitors all patients receiving contrast media
• If a procedure requires contrast - the technologist must prepare the patient for vital sign monitoring - connect the patient to the automatic blood pressure unit - and check the patient's creatinine level to ascertain if IV contrast media can be used
• Other duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 8:00am-4:30pm PST Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized