Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist

 

Main characteristics

Company

Veterans Health Administration

Industry

Healthcare|Radiation Technician

Job summary

Summary

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

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)
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 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.] English Language Proficiency: DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C
7402(d), and 7407(d)
GRADE DETERMINATIONS: In addition to the basic requirements for appointment, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates: Experience
At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS 8), directly related to the position being filled that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level
Performs Computerized Tomography exams of the head, neck, spine, chest, body, and extremities
These exams are performed with the use of oral and IV contrast materials
The purpose of these exams is to achieve diagnostic studies of superior quality to bring about proper diagnosis and treatment
Incumbent will also perform general radiology exams and other tasks as assigned
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
Will maintain ARRT licensure requirements
Meets all VA standards for continuing education
The candidate must demonstrate the experience above as well as the following technical KSAs: and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment-specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): i
Ability to balance the needs of patients and staff while still performing complex scans and procedures
ii
Knowledge of techniques for gathering relevant information from the medical record, significant others, and health care providers
iii
Ability to assess factors that may contraindicate the procedure
iv
Knowledge of basic first aid and basic life support practices related to radiography
v
Knowledge of physical assessment, aseptic techniques, intravenous methods and techniques and universal precautions
vi
Knowledge of pre-procedural, procedural, and post-procedural care of patients
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
References: VA Handbook 5005/119 PART II APPENDIX G25 Physical Requirements: Light to Moderate lifting and carrying, up to 44 lbs
Limited to 35lbs
with straight pulling; pushing; reaching at and above shoulders; use of both hands and fingers required; walking and/or standing (6- 8hours); crawling; kneeling; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
Physical Environment: Standard: The size and layout of the facility must be adequate to allow for patient comfort, privacy and special needs as well as fostering appropriate workflow
This includes areas for imaging exams, control rooms, processing, image interpretation, patient changing, recovery/post-procedural care, waiting, administration, storage, record filing, medical physics services, engineering services, and staff
Hospital Care setting.

Duties

"This Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (DRT) position is in Radiology Services at the Togus Maine VA Medical Center, located at the Togus, Maine location.
This position is a full-time at 40 hours per week.
The purpose of this position is to serve as a DRT and perform routine to moderately complex radiographic examination procedures.
These exams are achieved by using diagnostic x-ray equipment such as fluoroscopic units, the chest unit and general diagnostic units.
Duties include, but are not limited to: Assist Radiologists during fluoroscopic examinations.
Perform fluoroscopic imaging during examinations conducted by other providers.
Prepare contrast materials under the direction of the Radiologist for examinations requiring injectable solutions such as IVP, cystogram, cholangiograms, and arthrography and barium suspensions, and CT Contrast, for the purpose of performing oral and rectal exams of the GI tract.
Perform all linear and complex motion tomography and is familiar in setting up the machine and setting factors for density control.
Advise Radiologists, participating providers or referring physicians of examination results and notifies them of examinations requiring their immediate attention.
Perform imaging using direct radiography, computed radiography, and computed tomography.
Perform computerized axial tomographic scanning of heads and/or bodies.
Receive patients, explains methods of procedure, positions patients and makes radiographic exposures necessary for the requested examination.
Confer with Radiologists to establish requirements of nonstandard examinations and determines technical factors, positioning number and thickness cut of scans to satisfy the requirements of the examination.
Schedule patients for examinations.
Evaluate the nature of critical and emergency procedures and rearranges patient priorities to accommodate them.
Perform bone densitometry examinations utilizing the Hologic DEXA scanner.
Verify regions of interest (ROI); evaluates quality of measurements for problems due to artifacts, pathology, etc.; recommends additional scan as necessary; flags values that require physician's attention (low T-score; unreliable results, etc.); and archives results.
Maintain records and files of exams performed on patients.
Edit and when necessary registers patients in the computerized Radiology Information System (RIS) as well as the work list management portion of the HISRIS interface.
Present completed examinations for interpretation, entering all pertinent information on records as well as assembling previous studies and reports.
Perform radiographic exams at the bedside and in the operating rooms providing diagnostic x-rays to the surgeons and professional staff on patients that are unable to be x-rayed in the Radiology Service due to incapacity or surgical procedures.
Train students in radiographic technique including positioning, exposure factors, patient identification, and environmental factors which result in optimal imaging and meet the needs of the students during their rotation at this facility.
In absence of Lead technologist, performs daily checks/calibrations on equipment (crash cart, DR room CR systems, and CT Scanner Room) to ensure correct function.
Flexible and knowledgeable in basic procedures in patient reception and X-ray, providing coverage for these areas when necessary.
Work Schedule: Full Time Monday-Friday Rotating weekends/Multiple day shifts available Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #:F03190 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact the EDRP Coordinator Hannah Nielson at [Apply online] for questions/assistance.
Learn more Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Notification: Due to a critical staffing shortage, 38 U.S.C.
7412 waives the requirement to apply Veterans' preference for this job announcement.
This position is in the Excepted Service.
This position is in an AFGE Bargaining Unit position.
The incumbent may be required to travel to other VA campuses and CBOC's.
Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action).
The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted).
In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held.
Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment."