Summary

Chalmers P. Wylie VAACC Radiology Service is seeking an Advanced DRT. Employees at this grade 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 radiographic procedures. Performs radiologic exams ordered by medical providers and used to diagnose medical conditions as part of an overall patient care plan. Works under the direction of the Chief of Radiology.

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 candidates must be certified in by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) (CT) after completion of a full time 24-month training course or equivalent post high school program
• English Language Proficiency Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements - completion of 1 year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled which demonstrates knowledge - skills - abilities and other characteristics that are directly related to the specific assignment
• For GS-09 - completion of 1 year of experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level and directly related to the position being filed
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to check system for operation and assess acceptable performance based on established guidelines
• Knowledge of calibration parameters and the ability to adjust as needed
• Knowledge of patient's clinical record - diagnosis - and laboratory results
• Ability to monitor patient's physiologic changes during the procedure and keep the radiologist Informed
• Skill in using tact - diplomacy - and courtesy in dealings with the customer base - patients - staff - family - visitors - and volunteers
• Knowledge of anatomy and physiology - and cross-sectional anatomy - recognizing unusual images - and determining proper positioning to best demonstrate areas of interest
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09
• References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G25 & G17 Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting - 45 pounds and over
• Heavy carrying - 45 pounds and over
• Straight pulling (1 hour)
• Pushing(1-2 hours)
• Reaching above shoulder
• Use of fingers
• Both hands required
• Walking (up to 3 hours);Repeated bending (1 hour)
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4
• Hearing (aid may be permitted).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)
• Preferred Experience: Must be advanced ARRT (CT) registered
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Duties

• VA Careers - Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist: https://youtube.com/embed/I-4ku5UMvWM Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Duties: Maintains knowledge for appropriate positioning - this includes knowledge of VISTA and CT management software to perform specific exams
• enters exam into computer which has standard preselected digital settings for each CT procedure to select - view and transfer images
• Manages troubleshooting operations (such as when unit has gone down due to a failure and must be brought up again)
• and manual override procedures to finish a series of scans when external conditions would otherwise cause the machine to shut off
• Uses appropriate PPE and infectious disease precautions to maintain a non-contaminated environment for employees and patients
• Operates computerized and digital radiography equipment
• Determines technical factors - sets controls and operates equipment ensuring that the portion of the body specified receives the correct calculated exposure
• Sets up and adjusts accessory equipment required and makes exposures necessary for requested procedures
• Ensures ALARA principle is applied
• (As low as reasonably achievable)
• Shields patients when possible
• Reviews new developments in the field and makes recommendations to leadership for factors that could improve patient care
• Cleans equipment and area after use
• Performs routine maintenance and recognizes and reports malfunctioning equipment to ensure repair
• Processes radiographs and performs picture archival duties
• Performs picture archival (PACS) duties
• Configures the image and verifies patient information before transmitting them to the picture archive system
• Balances the needs of patients and staff while still performing complex exams
• Assesses factors that may contraindicate the procedure such as patient mobility - current physical or mental status - or other factors that may not allow for a safe working environment
• May provide basic first aid and basic life support practices related to radiography or as required while on VA grounds
• Has knowledge of physical assessment - aseptic technique - intravenous methods - and universal precautions and applies this knowledge as necessary
• May be sent as a senior representative of the radiology department for facility-wide or higher-level meetings
• Attends and participants in radiology department staff and specific sectional meetings
• Acts as subject matter expert for both radiography and CT
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 10:00am - 6:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 91582-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized