Summary

This position is in the Radiology Service of Diagnostics & Specialty Care at VA Butler Health Care System. The duties and responsibilities are carried out through the medical center including but are not limited to the administrative and clinical care areas of radiology. The Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (DRT) at this performance level functions independently - provides services in specialized areas of radiologic technology and/or general radiologic technology services.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• United States 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.) 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 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.] 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
• Exception for Non-Certified - Entry Level Candidates
• Non-certified DRTs who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for ARRT (R) certification may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate DRT under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B)
• The appointing official may waive the requirement of certification for a period not to exceed two years for a DRT that provides care under the supervision of a certified DRT at or above the full performance level
• This exception only applies at the GS-5 entry level technician
• For grade levels above the entry level - the candidate must be certified
• Temporary appointments of non-certified DRTs may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment
• Loss of Credential
• An employee in this occupation who fails to obtain certification within two years - or who fails to maintain the required certification must be removed from the occupation - which may also result in termination of employment
• 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 - the following provisions apply: (1) DRTs that require a certification - may be reassigned - promoted up to and including the full performance (journeyman) level - or changed to lower grade within the occupation - but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions
• (2) DRTs that require a certification only at higher grade levels must meet the certification requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels
• (3) DRTs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed - on a temporary or permanent basis - until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard
• (4) DRTs initially grandfathered into this occupation - who subsequently obtain additional education and/or certification that meet all of the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation
• (5) Employees who are retained as a DRT under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry as a DRT
• NOTE: Each uncertified VHA DRT who was permanently employed on June 21 - 1986 - and whose competence in the safe administration of ionizing radiation was affirmed - in writing - by a VA licensed physician not later than January 1 - 1987 - is considered fully qualified
• These employees may be promoted - changed to lower grade - or reassigned within the GS-0647 occupational series
• Any employee initially retained in this manner who leaves this job series loses protected status and must meet the full requirements in effect at the time of reentry
• Grade Determinations: GS- 0647-08 Ability to check system for operation and assess acceptable performance based on established guidelines
• Knowledge of calibration parameters and the ability to make adjustments 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
• 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 Major Duties: The Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist supports daily operations as assigned and performs the full spectrum of general radiology exams
• In addition to general radiology exams - these are to include but may not be limited to DEXA (Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry) bone density examinations of the spine - extremities - and body
• The incumbent has the ability to check systems for operation and assess acceptable performance based on established guidelines
• knowledge of calibration parameters and the ability to make adjustments as needed
• knowledge of patient clinical record - diagnosis - and laboratory results
• monitor patient's physiologic changes during the procedure or examination
• knowledge of anatomy and physiology - and cross-sectional anatomy - recognizing unusual images and determining proper positioning to best demonstrate areas of interest
• The DRT supports quality review of exams to ensure diagnostic studies are achieved for proper diagnosis and treatment
• Technologists confer with providers - radiologists - and other specialists to determine the requirement of non-standard exams - while preparing patients and equipment to achieve desired imaging
• The DRT is involved in direct patient care - and is accountable to provide patients with explanations of processes and procedures related to each diagnostic study
• In addition - the incumbent is a steward for practicing radiation protection standards - minimizing radiographic exposure techniques - appropriate beam limitation to anatomical area - and employing lead shielding when performing standard radiographic procedures
• This position supports the administrative aspects of the Radiology clinic - including the scheduling of exams in a manner to optimize equipment times within the Radiology package
• The incumbent can import on-site and off-site exam data into the appropriate electronic health record or data management systems - while coordinating with Radiology providers (both contracted and VA-based) for timely interpretation
• The incumbent will support computer/interface related matters - such as technology downtime and assist the coordination of downtime contingency plans within the department
• The incumbent supports the functions of the Automated Data Processing Application Coordinator (ADPAC) and the Picture Archiving Communications System (PACS) Manager at VA Butler Health Care System when there is no ADPAC or PACS manager onsite
• The technologist may support daily operations - installation - and development of the PACS Isite and DocManager/ Vista Capture (digital imaging)/ Medicom as needed or upon request
• This is to assure optimal performance for medical image retrieval and for storage accuracy and reliability
• The incumbent is compliant with consult management and scheduling guidelines
• completes electronic progress notes and other pertinent documentation
• is compliant with documentation standards
• and adheres to hospital infection control and safety policies/techniques
• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Monday- Friday
• 9:00am- 5:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized 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 Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position.