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Summary

Serves as an MRI Technologist at Bruce W Carter Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Employees at this grade level are qualified to perform Magnetic Resonance Imaging procedures for patients of this heath care system. The employee operates complex MRI equipment to produce MRI studies that are used for medical diagnosis under the direct supervision of a Radiologist.

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
• English Language Proficiency
• DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d) 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)
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MR)
• This specialty modality requires additional knowledge of superconducting magnets - the physics of superconducting magnets - and how they relate to the human anatomy in medical imaging
• The technologist must be educated in the safety factors governing a magnetic environment that patients - visitors - and equipment enter
• The practitioner 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
• 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: In addition to meeting the basic requirements stated above - the following qualifications criteria must be met in 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 GS-08 level - directly related to the position being filled that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that 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
• 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
• 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.

Duties

• Use the appropriate radio-frequency coils required for each specific anatomical area to be scanned - which requires knowledge of how each coil correlates to different body parts
• Prepare room - equipment - and materials needed for patient procedures
• Administer contrast material according to patient weight and pathology - under the direction of the Radiologist - following protocols and in accordance with State and Federal regulations
• Follow MRI safety precautions using designated zones to protect patients - visitors - and staff
• When operating the MRI - the incumbent performs or monitors safety checks on patients - employees - and visitors to comply with FDA safety standards regarding ferrous objects - and cardiac pacemakers prior to those persons entering the environment of the magnetic field
• Assist in preparation of manuals and assist in devising and modifying procedures as necessary
• Follow prescribed protocols required to perform procedures
• Manipulate and change protocols according to patient necessity - pathology - or triage
• Ability to identify pathology during scanning - advising the Radiologist of a change in protocol in order to obtain pathology visualization
• Observe patient during procedures - monitoring patient's physiological changes during and after injection of contrast - and reports complications or unusual events to the Radiologist
• Communicate visually and verbally with the patient throughout the exam
• Assist Anesthesiologists and nursing staff when performing conscious sedation procedures and patients on ventilators
• Check patient's clinical record for appropriateness of exam - lab results - GFR - and any stents - implants - or surgeries that interfere with safety of the patient undergoing the exam
• Report all supply shortages and equipment failures to Chief Technologist as well as Healthcare Technology Management Service as appropriate to arrange for service
• Clear patients of any implants which could be harmful to the patient using the MRI safety web - checking previous studies in CPRS - and working closely with the Radiologist in the clearance process
• Perform all technical aspects of computerized integrated components of all MR studies
• Transfers selected images to the current Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) - such as Philips IntelliSpace Radiology - and verifies the arrival of the complete and accurate images
• Assure completion of required forms associated with patient exams - credit of patient visits - complications and/or quality improvement activities of Imaging Service
• Follow Joint Commission National Safety Goals - including patient identification by using at least two patient identifiers
• Check and make minor adjustments to equipment such as setting wedges or changing adjusters
• When operating the MRI - the incumbent uses prescribed protocols to determine the ideal patient parameters to pulse the magnet for each individual patient examination
• Perform all postprocessing imaging using techniques which require skills in identifying arteries and veins
• Maximize patients throughput by contact with escorts - ward clerks - nursing personnel - and staff physicians
• Provide training to lower grade employees - student radiographers - and residents from affiliated programs and facilitates the attainment of established program objectives
• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Monday - Wednesday - Thursday - Friday 3:00pm - 11:30pm - Saturday 7:00am - 3:30pm 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
• Functional Statement #: 30236F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized