Summary

Employees at this grade level are to be qualified to provide services in specialized areas of radiologic technology and/or general radiologic technology services. The technologist's principal responsibilities are to perform Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) procedures for the patients of this medical center. Employees at this level are fully functional as an advanced DRT and can carry out their assigned tasks independently.

Qualifications

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)
• English Language Proficiency
• DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d)
• Physical Requirements
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for appointment - the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates: 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
• 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
• Preferred Experience: 3 Years as a registered MR Technologist working in MRI Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: The physical demands of the work include Heavy lifting - 45 pounds and over
• moderate carrying - 15-44 pounds
• pushing up to 4 hours
• reaching above shoulder
• use of fingers - good dexterity (both hands required)
• prolonged walking - prolonged standing
• repeated bending
• the ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20
• ability to distinguish basic colors
• hearing (aid permitted)
• speed in working
• and emotional stability
• Must have the ability to stand and work long periods.

Duties

• VA Careers - Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist: https://youtube.com/embed/I-4ku5UMvWM The technologist will perform quality diagnostic examinations that include - but are not limited to - MRI examinations of the chest - abdomen - pelvis - head - extremities - neck - etc
• The technologist will also assist the radiologist in performing interventional procedures under MRI guidance
• The technologist may be cross trained in special procedures to maximize the utilization of personnel
• The technologist may also participate in on-call or standby to provide 24-hour - 7 days a week for the main facility
• and will also participate in the departmental in-service program
• This subspecialty requires advanced ARRT certification in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• Technologists meet the requirements outlined in HPM 11-107
• BLS Certification is maintained on a bi-annual basis
• Accurately and competently operates imaging equipment to obtain acceptable quality utilizing the standardized amount of Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) to obtain quality imaging for diagnosis and localization purposes
• Knowledge of cross-sectional anatomy
• The technologist has a responsibility to recognize and exhibit good safety practices - comply with published and communicated safety procedures
• immediately report observed safety infractions and unsafe working conditions
• and report in a timely fashion work-related illnesses and injuries
• The technologist is educated and competent in MRI Safety
• The technologist is competent in all service policies about the assigned work section
• Technologist is trained and competent in the use of VistA - CPRS - and PACS
• Receives and processes MR orders for accuracy - appropriateness - and date desired
• Register - edit and cancel exams in accordance with national guidelines
• Performs and completes MR studies within the established guidelines for stat - pre-op - urgent - and routine exam priorities
• Uses independent judgment and critical thinking to modify positioning and exams as needed to accommodate patient's medical condition and/or body habitus
• Advises the radiologist of exam images requiring immediate attention
• Uses a minimum of two approved patient identifiers before beginning the MR exam
• Selects the correct patient's name and exam within VistA - MRI worklist - and PACS
• Verifies that all images and associated paperwork are in PACS - under the correct accession number - before casing the MR exam for completion
• The technologist is responsible for quality assurance (positioning - labels - window levels - etc.) of the exam before submission to PACS
• When operating the MRI - the technologist performs or monitors safety checks on patients - employees - and visitors to comply with FDA standards regarding ferrous objects and cardiac pacemakers before those persons enter the environment of the magnetic field
• Follows established radiologist protocol for each exam - unless otherwise directed by a radiologist on duty the day of the exam
• Work Schedule: Saturday - Sunday - Wednesday 6:30am - 7:00pm - Every other Monday 10:30am -7:00pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• 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
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• 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
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized