Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

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)
• 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)
• 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-09: Experience
• At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS8) - directly related to the position being filled that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level
• 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 (*) *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
• 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 physiologic monitoring to perform procedures
• IR technologist must be knowledgeable in digital imagining and PACS
• Preferred Experience: Interventional Radiography (IR) experience of 1+ years is preferred
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: This position requires a moderate amount of physical activity working with the equipment and maneuvering patients including eye/hand coordination
• full use of arms - hands and wrists
• transporting - lifting - lowering - moving - turning heavy objects and/or patients
• standing - sitting - or reaching for extended periods of time
• Requires color vision and depth perception: must be able to differentiate subtle shades of gray on a diagnostic image
• must also respond to audio signals

Duties

• This Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (DRT) - Interventional Radiology (IR) position is in the Diagnostic Imaging Service at the Connecticut VA Medical Center - located in West Haven - CT
• Employees at this grade level provide services in specialized areas of radiologic technology and/or general radiologic technology services
• Employees at this level are fully functional as an advanced DRT and are able to carry out their assigned tasks independently
• DRTs at this level may have varying assignments including special and complex radiographic procedures - the higher-level duties consist of significant scope - complexity (difficulty) - and range of variety - and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time
• The incumbent's principal responsibilities are to perform Interventional Radiography (IR) for the patients of this medical center Performs peripheral and visceral angiography of the abdominal systems and extremities i.e
• renal - hepatic - mesenteric - aortic - femoral - etc
• The exams involve the use of highly sophisticated x-ray equipment such as computerized fluoroscopy - pressure injectors - biplane imaging - patient monitors - etc
• Such procedures may be performed in the operating room
• The purpose of these exams is to achieve diagnostic or therapeutic studies of the vascular systems
• Performs myelography of the complete spine utilizing conventional x-ray units - patient immobilizers - etc. - when required
• The purpose of these exams is to achieve diagnostic studies of the spinal canal
• Performs neuroangiography - including spine - head and neck studies utilizing highly sophisticated x-ray equipment such as computerized fluoroscopy - pressure injectors - biplane imaging - patient monitors - etc
• The purpose of these exams is to achieve diagnostic studies of the spinal canal
• Performs most exams utilizing surgical sterile techniques
• This requires \"scrub-in technique -\" preparation of surgical trays - preparation of contrast - supplying of catheters and guide wires - sterile assurance of the patient and equipment that may come in contact with the sterile field with the purpose of assuring that all preventive measures have been taken to prevent contamination of the patient
• This is done to minimize hazards associated with invasive procedures and involves the use of sterile packs - gloves - syringes - guide wires - catheters - clean-up trays - etc. - after exam is completed
• Works with the radiologist and cardiologists as a member of the medical team
• Must assist and anticipate the needs of the radiologists and the performance of the exam
• Must be continuously on the alert for the patient's condition - sterile field - catheter and guide wire sizes and configurations - etc
• Prepares contrast materials
• These contrast materials are used in the exams performed in the special procedure area and the technologist must know the effects and reactions to the contrast
• 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 use is possessed by those who prepare it
• Practices radiation safety in order to reduce exposure to patients - staff and self
• This is achieved by the use of lead aprons - lead gloves - lead shields - lead lined walls and collimation
• Film badges are worn by the technologist in compliance with radiation regulations
• The incumbent must be aware of and practice the safety policies/procedures of the Medical Center - and participate in quality assurance activities as directed
• Performs image reconstructions on advanced workstations as directed by the radiologist or as part of a given study
• Maintains records and files of exams performed on patients
• This includes the maintenance of patient logbooks - registration and editing of patient exams in the computerized information system - copying of images (CD) - logging patients on the HIS-RIS work list
• Properly identifies patient images
• This is essential so that mistaken identity of patient images does not occur
• The technologist must be certain that the patient I.D
• band and the request are identical
• Responsible for the intravenous injection of contrast media
• Responsible to explain exams to competent patients so that patients understand what is to be done as well as what contraindications - if any - are possible
• Work Schedule: Monday to Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm
• On call rotation weekends and Holidays
• Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 689-F08424 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact VISN1 EDRP Coordinator at VISN1EDRPSupport@va.gov for questions/assistance
• Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized