Summary

The incumbent will serve in this developmental assignment until the full performance level of Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist - GS-647-8 is reached. The duties performed are those of an advanced trainee and are commensurate with the grade of the position. Performs the full spectrum of radiographic and fluoroscopic examinations. Receives patients - explains method of procedure - and obtains signed consents for examinations with contrast media.

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 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.] 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
• Physical Requirements
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• English Language Proficiency
• DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d)
• 4
• GRADE REQUIREMENTS
• a
• Creditable Experience Knowledge of Current Radiologic Technology Practice
• To be creditable - experience must have demonstrated possession of the knowledge - skills - abilities - and other characteristics (also referred to as clinical competencies) associated with current radiologic technology practice
• This may have been evidenced by the equivalent of one year of active practice - which is paid or non-paid employment as a DRT as defined by ARRT
• Quality of Experience
• Experience is only creditable if it was earned after completion of the basic certification requirements identified in paragraph 2b above
• Experience as a graduate DRT is creditable provided the candidate functioned as a DRT and subsequently passed the certification examination
• Part-Time Experience
• Part-time experience as a DRT is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweek
• For example - a DRT would receive one week of full-time credit for each two weeks of half-time work
• 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)
• [Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist] - GS-6 [ ] (1) Experience or Education
• At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level or the successful completion of one full academic year of graduate education leading to a degree in radiography or other directly related field to diagnostic radiology/imaging
• (2) Assignment
• Employees at this grade level serve as developmental DRTs - performing examinations which are routine and standardized in nature
• They explain exams to patients in terms they can understand as well as potential hazards
• They must also troubleshoot equipment used for diagnostic radiology and exercise extreme caution in the handling and safeguarding of all radiation producing equipment
• DRTs must report major equipment malfunctions within a timely manner to service representatives and assist higher graded technologists in performing more complicated examinations
• (3) Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of basic technique standards for minimum radiographic exposure
• (b) Knowledge of anatomy and positioning
• (c) Knowledge of all patient safety procedures
• (d) Knowledge of radiographic producing equipment
• [Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist] - GS-7 [ ] (1) Experience or Education
• At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level
• or the successful completion of one full academic year of graduate education leading to a degree in radiography or other directly related field to diagnostic radiology/imaging
• or successful completion of an advanced registry program - with certification - in addition to a 4-year baccalaureate degree program in radiography or other directly related field to diagnostic radiology/imaging
• Education may relate to the duties of a specific position or to the occupation but must be appropriate for the position being filled
• (2) Assignment
• DRTs at this level perform a full range of duties but receive guidance and directions regarding unfamiliar or unusual situations for more complex patient issues
• Candidates at this grade level may be qualified to provide services in specialized areas of radiologic technology and/or general radiologic technology services
• (3) Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of the technical adequacy of the digital image - including the ability to adjust the image quality in the digital system
• (b) Knowledge of different contrast material required for the requested study
• (c) Knowledge of radiation protection standards - minimum radiographic exposure techniques - appropriate beam limitation to anatomical area - and employing lead shielding when performing standard radiographic and fluoroscopic procedures
• [Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist] - GS-8 [ ] (1) Experience
• At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level
• (2) Assignments
• Employees at this grade level serve as staff DRTs at the full performance level
• Candidates at this grade level must be qualified to independently provide services in specialized areas of radiologic technology and/or general radiologic technology services with only occasional oversight or direction for highly complex issues
• (3) Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Ability to check system for operation and assess acceptable performance based on established guidelines
• (b) Knowledge of calibration parameters and the ability to make adjustments as needed
• (c) Knowledge of patient's clinical record - diagnosis - and laboratory results.

Duties

• Functions or Scope of Assigned Duties Performs procedures such as fluoroscopy - gastrointestinal exams - tomography - ERCP - myelography - fluoroscopic guided - interventional procedures - portable radiography - digital radiography - and operating room radiography
• Supports radiologists and clinicians in the performance of these exams
• anticipates imaging - and equipment needs before and during the procedure - follows the progress of the procedure and facilitates an efficient flow
• Performs examinations of head - trunk - and extremities for routine physical examinations and for diagnosis of illness or injuries of accident victims
• Performs radiographic procedures using proper exposure techniques - including manual and auto-timed exposures
• These exams are performed using exposure tables - buckies - collimators - filters - and other technical aids to produce radiographic images of diagnostic quality with minimal retakes
• Performs procedures using digital diagnostic units that provide fully integrated digital Bucky systems for routine skeletal diagnostics
• These systems institute another step in a cassette-less environment
• Digital technology unites the high ergonomics of Bucky technology and state-of-the-art detectors in imaging processing
• Performs quality control of the images - assessing proper exposure - positioning - and annotation
• Apply DR post-processing techniques such as window and leveling - edge enhancement - brightness and annotation corrections as necessary before routing images to the PACS system - printer - workstation or archive
• Monitors the examination by checking the computation - performance - and results of the selected parameters to obtain the best diagnostic computer-generated data and images
• Monitors the patient's physical condition
• Reviews requests for appropriateness before performing exams
• Incumbent uses appropriateness criteria - the clinical history provided on the request - interviews the patient - reviews the patient chart or contacts the ordering clinician as needed for clarification
• Presents discrepant or deficient indications to the supervisory technologist or radiologist as appropriate
• Sets up the x-ray room assuring sterile supplies - contrast materials - catheters - and other required equipment are present and laid out
• Prepares and administers contrast material orally - by enema - or intravenously under radiologist supervision
• Monitors patient's vital signs during these examinations and initiates the appropriate response for varying levels of adverse contrast reactions
• Positions patient according to type of study - considering patient's physical characteristics - as well as patient's comfort and or ability
• Identifies trauma patients and uses appropriate modifications in imaging techniques and employs proper precautions to assure patient safety and comfort
• Reviews labs - medical history of patient for indications of his/her ability to tolerate the exam and for possible side effects
• Completes all required documentation in CPRS - i.e
• Time-out
• Processes exposed radiographs
• Operates state of the art hi-tech computerized diagnostic fluoro equipment - automated developing film systems - and computerized record systems
• Work Schedule: 0800-1630 Mon-Fri & Fri/Sat/Sun 0700-1900 - every other Thursday 0700-1530