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. Program 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
• 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
• For grade levels above the entry level - the candidate must be certified
• 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).] 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 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
• GS-8 is the next lower level
• Employees at this grade level serve as staff DRTs at the full performance level
• Candidates at this grade level must be qualified to independently provide services in specialized areas of radiologic technology and/or general radiologic technology services with only occasional oversight or direction for highly complex issues
• Preferred Experience: ARRT Registered in MRI
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• This position is above full performance level at the GS-9. Physical Requirements: The physical demands of the work include some bending and carrying of moderately heavy articles
• Some pushing and pulling
• Patients sometimes are assisted to achieve proper positioning which may require reaching or work in strained positions
• 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 - speed in working - and emotional stability
• English Language Proficiency
• DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d).

Duties

• The specialty modality requires additional knowledge of super conducting magnets - the physics of superconducting magnets - and how they related 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 into
• The technologist must have specific 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 radiofrequency surface coils required for each specific anatomical area to be imaged
• The technologist requires knowledge of image acquisition in Computerized Radiography (CR) and Picture Archiving and Communications Systems (PACS).Completion of one years of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled and has undergone a two year approved training program and is ARRT certified
• Additional certification in MRI required
• List of Major Duties and Responsibilities are - but not limited to: Adheres to safety standards while using MRI equipment for the protection of patients - employees and contractors
• Deviates equipment use or procedures and techniques in the event of mechanical failure to any part of equipment
• Daily utilizes skeletal - vascular - neurological - trans-sectional anatomy - physiology and cross-sectional anatomy such as the location and appearance of abnormalities which are illustrated by general diagnostic/MRI scanning
• to recognize scans/images which best illustrate lesions and/or abnormalities
• and to recognize when additional scans/images or different scans/images or positions are needed to fully illustrate the lesion and/or abnormalities
• Utilizes techniques pertinent to general diagnostic/MRI to insure high resolution scans - tissue volume to be scanned plus thickness of cuts
• Will interpret radiology requests and patient chart information - and correlate information with patients' current physical status - relating information as indicated
• Will utilize basic psychology for handling patients in all phases of general diagnostic/MRI including critical care - trauma - apprehensive - and disoriented patients - and also to cope with patients' families
• Performs first-aid procedures for seizures - cardiac arrest - anaphalactic shock - and contrast reactions
• Incumbent performs duties relative to radiology aseptic and/or sterile procedures - and decontamination procedures in the event of a contaminated field - room and or an isolation patient
• Utilizes basic physics - electrical supply - power - and proper functioning of equipment to include non-ferrous equipment in order to troubleshoot equipment
• They determine the need to call for repair and or/maintenance of equipment by notifying defects or deficiencies to the Chief Technologist/Administrative Officer or designee
• Utilizes proper coils or other accessories necessary to produce the highest quality of MRI films with a minimum of repeat exposure or re-injection of contrast media to the patient
• Exhibits the working knowledge of DHCP/CPRS applications and protects computer data or safety sensitive information form unauthorized users
• Protects access codes for any medical center computer programs
• Performs basic computer operations including keyboard inputs - purpose and functions - or computer programs needed to carry out other job duties
• Utilizes available resources to ensure safety of hardware - implants - and devices
• Technical assistance is available through radiologists and private representatives
• Radiographer is required to maintain a current knowledge of new developments in MRI/general diagnostic
• Practices MRI safety in order to protect patients - staff and self
• Is Level II MRI safety trained
• Screens patients and staff before entering scan room
• The incumbent must be aware of and practice the safety policies and procedures of the medical center and service - and participate in quality assurance activities as directed
• Will utilize MRI emergency response actions including code blue - rapid response - code magenta - behavioral - and fire drill as needed
• Work Schedule: 3:00pm - 11:00pm Monday - Friday with on-call rotation
• EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact David Billingsley - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more 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
• 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
• Telework: Not Available Functional Statement #: 635-52733-A