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Summary

Employees at this grade are fully functional as an advanced DRT and carry out their assigned tasks independently for Radiology Service at Chalmer's P. Wylie VAACC in Columbus - Ohio. About 75% of the employee tour of duty is spent in MRI performing complex examinations. DRTs at this level may have varying assignments including special and complex imaging procedure - and basic Quality Management type duties within the program. Must be certified for MRI Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus)

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 and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) 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
• 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)
• Knowledge of Current Radiologic Technology Practice
• To be creditable - experience must have demonstrated possession of the knowledge - skills - abilities - and other characteristics (also referred to as clinical competencies) associated with current radiologic technology practice
• This may have been evidenced by the equivalent of one year of active practice - which is paid or non-paid employment as a DRT as defined by ARRT
• Quality of Experience
• Experience is only creditable if it was earned after completion of the basic certification requirements
• Experience as a graduate DRT is creditable provided the candidate functioned as a DRT and subsequently passed the certification examination
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• This specialty modality requires additional knowledge of superconducting magnets - the physics of superconducting magnets - and and how they relate to the human anatomy in medical imaging
• The technologist must be educated in the safety factors governing magnetic environment that patients - visitor - and equipment enter
• The technologist must have specialized knowledge of cross sectional anatomy and how it relates to the soft tissues and vessels of the human body
• The technologist must also have specialized knowledge in the radio-frequency surface coils required for each specific anatomical area to be imaged
• This assignment may also perform basic magnetic resonance safety program duties
• Technologists must be knowledgeable in contrast media - power injectors - and PACS
• DRT assignments that include performance of independent duties in this subspecialty require advanced ARRT (MR) certification 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-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
• 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: 1
• Ability to balance the needs of patients and staff while still performing complex scans and procedures
• 2
• Knowledge of techniques for gathering relevant information from the medical record - significant others - and health care providers
• 3
• Ability to assess factors that may contraindicate the procedure
• 4
• Knowledge of basic first aid and basic life support practices related to radiography
• 5
• Knowledge of physical assessment - aseptic techniques - intravenous methods and techniques and universal precautions
• 6
• Knowledge of pre-procedural - procedure - and post-procedural care of patients
• Preferred Experience: MRI Registered References: VA Handbook 5005/119 Part II Appendix G25 12/2019 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09 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).

Duties

• VA Careers - Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist: https://youtube.com/embed/I-4ku5UMvWM Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Functions of Scope of Assigned Duties
• A
• Receives requests or instructions to independently perform both diagnostic and MRI procedures as well as other collateral duties as assigned
• Interprets requests or instructions from radiologist or medical officers
• Performs as technologist in charge when assigned
• Understands and carries out the requests made by physicians or seeks assistance of the supervisor when an uncommon - unique - or new procedure is required
• B.
• Reviews MRI protocols and patient lab results prior to beginning exam
• Performs point of care testing to determine whether creatinine levels are appropriate for contrast studies C
• Confers with the radiologist to establish requirements of nonstandard examinations and determines technical factors - positioning - number - thickness and cut of scans - etc. - to comply with the specified MRI exam requested
• D
• Maintains knowledge for appropriate positioning - this includes knowledge of MRI management software to perform specific exams
• enters exam into computer which has standard preselected digital settings for each MRI 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
• E
• Secures the confidence and cooperation of patients during procedures
• Explains procedures and positions to patients for desired results
• Also - cushions and shields patients as appropriate
• Varies procedures or positions to adjust for patients' medical conditions
• Administers contrast materials orally - by enema - or intravenously under supervision by the Radiologist
• F
• Operates digital radiography equipment
• Determines technical factors - sets controls - and ensures 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 for every exam
• (As low as reasonably achievable)
• Performs daily and weekly quality assurance tests to ensure proper equipment function
• G
• Registers patients for examinations and updates status as necessary
• Performs clerical duties as they relate to patient care
• Accesses the medical record as necessary to view laboratory results or to verify exam order
• Work Schedule: 0730-1800 Tues-Wed and Sat-Sun Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): 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) 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
• Functional Statement #: 92254-A Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized