Summary

This Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (DRT) - (lR) position is assigned to the Bay Pines VA Healthcare System. The DRT (DRT) - (lR) Technologist employee at this level is fully functional as an advanced DRT and is able to carry out the assigned tasks independently. The team member will have a varying assignment including special and complex radiographic procedures within the lnterventional Radiology section - with and without the use of contrast materials - '100% of the time.

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. Interventional Radiography (IR). Technologists working in this special assignment may function as vascular interventional (VI) - cardiac interventional (CI) and/or cardiovascular-interventional (CV) technologists which use specialized equipment to perform diagnostic angiographic procedures and complex vascular and nonvascular interventional and therapeutic procedures. This specialty requires additional knowledge of vascular systems and major vessel anatomy. The technologist must be knowledgeable in the specialized equipment employed for digital subtraction systems and interventional procedures. The technologist administers contrast media under the supervision of the staff radiologist and confers with the radiologist to establish requirements regarding contrast agents - vital signs - medications - and physiological monitoring to perform procedures. IR technologists must be knowledgeable in digital imagining and PACS.

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.) English Language Proficiency
• DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d) Certification-Documentation Submitted
• 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).] [NOTE: Assignment to the clinical program director requires meeting JRCERT minimum educational standards as noted in the assignment description
• 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)
• 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
• 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: GS-9 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
• 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
• Preferred experience: Technologist perform duties as Arteriograms with Vascular Stenting - Chemoembolization - Kyphoplasty - AV Fistula management - and Y-90 Radioembolization
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• This announcement is above the full performance GS-9. Physical Requirements: See VA Handbook 5019.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties listed but not limited to: lnterventional Radiology (IR) exams utilize highly sophisticated x-ray equipment such as fluoroscopy - 3D rotational imaging - bolus chase stepping - mapping of vessels - pressure injectors - and patient monitors - etc
• Such procedures may also be performed in the operating room or General Radiology exam rooms
• Technologist works under the supervision of the Section Supervisor and/or lR Radiologists and rotates all responsibilities within the lR section
• The incumbent will also support the diagnostic radiology section by providing coverage in this area as needed
• He/she works in a team environment on most exams - some task may be performed individually but confers with lR Radiologists - Section Supervisor and/or on more difficult problems
• Knowledge of anatomy and physiology including location - appearance - and functioning of the major and minor systems susceptible to radiographic illumination - and knowledge of changes to systems and organs caused by common medical and surgical diseases
• The technologist works alongside lnterventional Radiologists - Nurses and additional DRT lR technologists in a team setting - assisting the lnterventional Radiologist with diagnostic angiographic procedures - complex vascular and nonvascular interventional and therapeutic procedures
• The technologist will assist and anticipate the needs of the radiologists and the performance of the exam
• This specialty requires the technologist to possess an advanced knowledge of vascular systems and major vessel anatomy
• They are required to have a combination of technical - radiologic - and clinical skills
• The technologist is responsible for obtaining all equipment needed for a procedure - positioning and imaging patients - resolving equipment issues - and demonstrating knowledge of human anatomy - radiation safety - interventional supplies and equipment operation
• The technologist prepares contract media ensuring that bubbles have been removed and injector parameters have been set according to the Radiologists request
• The technologist also - administers contrast media under the supervision of the staff radiologist and confers with the physicians to establish requirements with reference to contrast agents - vital signs - medications - and physiologic monitoring to perform procedures
• The improper use or administration of the contrast materials run the risk of patient mortality and - therefore - it is essential that a thorough understanding of the contrast material usage is possessed by those who prepare it
• Technologist must be familiar with policies and procedures for practicing radiation safety in order to reduce exposure to patients - staff and self
• The employee must also be aware of and practice the safety policies and procedures of the Medical Center - and participate in quality assurance activities as directed
• Adheres to Radiation Safety guidelines - properly determines applying technical factors to ensure ALARA dose optimization - positioning - required views - etc
• to produce and satisfy requirements for diagnostic imaging and IR exams
• Technologist is responsible for properly documenting patient dose and/or notifying the RSO when indicated
• Technologist is competent and educated in all service policies and standard operating procedures - pertaining to the technologist and their assigned work section
• Performs routine clerical functions for the purpose of maintaining accurate electronically secured patient and supply tracking logs
• Knowledge of Supply tracking in TrackCore and procedure and supply documentation in the HI-IQ program
• HI-IQ timeline and inventory is to be updated real-time during procedures for documentation if timeliness of procedure and easy recall of patient and staff data - inventory used to include implants - contrast type and amount administered and radiation dose totals
• Knowledge of computer programs
• VISTA the radiology information system (RIS) and the patients' Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS.)
• Performs and completes imaging studies within the established guidelines for stat - pre­-op - urgent and routine exams
• Technologist works with IR schedule to assure timely accomplishment of assigned workload - making day-to-day adjustments in accordance with established priorities and additional assignments Technologist will ensure productivity is maintained at the established level for the program for which he/she is responsible
• Technologist perform duties as Arteriograms with Vascular Stenting - Chemoembolization - Kyphoplasty - AV Fistula management - and Y-90 Radioembolization
• Work Schedule: Monday -Friday 7:00 AM-3:30PM - 7:30a-4:00p and 8:00AM-4:30PM - on-call with rotating holidays Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 00000