Summary

The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information - refer to Required Documents below. Independently performs standard examinations. Schedules patients for examinations. Evaluates the nature of critical and emergency procedures - and rearranges patients scheduled to accommodate them. Maintain records and film files of patients examined. Cross-indexes interesting cases for teaching purposes.

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
• 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
• Specialized Assignments
• Specialized areas of radiologic technology include general diagnostic radiologic technology (R) - bone densitometry (BD) - mammography (M) - diagnostic ultrasound (S) - computed tomography (CT) - magnetic resonance imaging (MR) - interventional radiologic technology (IR) - quality management (QM) - picture archival communication system (PACS) technologist - MRI safety officer (MRSO) - imaging administrator - clinical program director - and clinical instructor
• Ultrasound ([Diagnostic/Vascular] Sonography) (S) - (VS)
• Positions should be assigned to the DRT - GS-0647 series - when both ultrasound and other modalities which require the delivery of ionizing radiation are performed
• Positions in which ultrasound duties are performed exclusively (no other modalities are performed) - should be assigned to the medical instrument technician - GS-0649 series - since ultrasound duties solely do not require the delivery of ionizing radiation
• Diagnostic ultrasound uses high frequency sound waves and other diagnostic techniques for medical purposes
• The practitioner must be competent in the production - use - recognition - and analysis of ultrasound images and patterns used for patient diagnosis and treatment
• The sonographer is regarded as the expert source of all ultrasound imaging - and the interpreting radiologist relies heavily on the skills - knowledge - and abilities of the sonographers in providing a final interpretation
• Within this specialization - there is a diverse range of ultrasound imaging sub-specialties
• These include: 1) diagnostic medical sonography - abdominal - neurologic - obstetrical/gynecologic - musculoskeletal (MSK) - a breast
• and 2) vascular sonography-arterial and venous doppler - spectral analysis - and calculating ankle brachial index (ABI)
• 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-09 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 (*): 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: Preferred Experience 1 year in Clinical Ultrasound
• 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-09
• Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position
• Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

Duties

• Major duties include - but are not limited to: Advises radiologists or referring physician of significant abnormalities that would require their immediate attention and visualization while the patient is undergoing examination
• Performs ultrasound examinations of the abdomen - neck - chest and extremities - breast - retroperitoneal space - renals - carotids - and upper and lower extremity arterial studies for the purpose of acquiring high quality examinations that assist in the diagnosis and treatment of patient medical disorders
• No intracranial vascular studies are required Participates in the training of physicians - students - and radiology technologists so that these individuals may acquire an understanding of the principles of ultrasound and how it relates to other diagnostic exams4.Performs routine clerical procedures for the purpose of maintain accurate ultrasound records so that easy recall of patient examinations may be achieved
• This requires maintaining a diagnostic log - patient schedule log - and procedure log - editing and when necessary registering patients in the Radiology Information System (RIS)
• Selects appropriate transducer and protocol for each examination
• Makes multiple simultaneous settings and adjustments in operation of equipment to insure accurate results
• On the basis of radiologic findings - determines necessary ultrasonic procedures to yield definitive diagnostic findings
• Reviews new developments in the field and recommends to supervisor those that would improve the operation of the section
• Maintains adequate supplies so that examinations are not delayed due to the lack of necessary equipment and supplies
• Assists the radiologist in the performance of cyst punctures - aspiration biopsies - and catheter placements for the purpose of diagnostic treatment using ultrasound techniques
• This requires the use of surgical sterile techniques - syringes - needles - contrast - etc
• Develops and maintains patient prep procedures so that patients and wards understand the proper preparations for ultrasound examinations in an effort to minimize delays of examinations
• These preps are disseminated either by written preparation information or by telephone conversation
• Explains examinations to be performed to the patients so that an understanding of the purpose of the study as well as any requirements of the patients are thoroughly understood
• This is done so that an adequate ultrasound study may be obtained in an effort to get diagnostic examinations for the purpose of treatment and diagnosis of disorders
• Gathers related information such as patient chart - x-rays - etc. - so that correlation of examinations to other studies may be made by the radiologist in diagnosis and recommendation of treatment for medical disorders
• In addition - technologist MUST scan all exam worksheets to the patient electronic medical record at the completion of each examination - to become a permanent part of the medical record - assisting the radiologist in examination interpretation
• Distributes ultrasound examinations and related information to the radiologist responsible for the interpretation of the exams
• This is done so that treatment based on diagnosis may be effectuated in a timely manner
• Assists quality assurance technologists in performing quality assurance testing on the ultrasound unit using phantoms - test tools - test check lists - etc
• for the purpose of assuring peak performance of the ultrasound equipment
• Maintains records for the quality assurance testing so that easy reference is available should serving be necessary : (weekly basis) Performs or supervises routine housekeeping duties to assure that the ultrasound area is clean and sanitary
• This is done so hat when sterile procedures are required in the ultrasound area - there is minimal possibility of cross contamination due to unsanitary conditions
• The incumbent must be aware of and practice the safety policies/procedures of the medical center and participate in quality assurance activities as directed
• Work Schedule: Full Time - Monday- Friday - 9:00am-5:30pm - rotating weekends/evenings/holidays
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized 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
• 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
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized