Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist - Computed Tomography (CT)

SummaryThis 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.QualificationsApplicants 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 RequirementsUnited States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA PolicyCertification: All applicants must be certified in general radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology - Radiography (ARRT) (R)Advanced ARRT (CT) certification is required for assignments that include computed tomography (CT) duties performed independently - as applicableAdvanced certification indicates that the incumbent can operate independently and has demonstrated specific clinical competency in the appropriate specialty and taken and passed the designated examinationIn 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 technologistNote: For grade levels above the entry level - the candidate must be certifiedEducation: 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) English Language Proficiency: DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d) 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: Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (Computed Tomography) GS-09 This specialty modality requires specific knowledge of cross sectional human anatomy and its application in spiral - and/or - multi-slice computer tomography - inclusive of 3-D reconstruction scans - including drainages - biopsies - and peripheral vascular examinationsThe technologist requires specific knowledge and training in the location - appearance - and function of the various major and minor systems susceptible to radiological illuminationto interpret the examination request accuratelyto understand the functioning and inter-relationship of the various organsto use methods and techniques which will identify organs appearing on the digital display monitor - or on film - and the various stages of the examination to judge the acceptability of the image and/or scan for diagnostic use and to emphasize the aspects of interest to the physicianDRT assignments that include performance of independent duties in this subspecialty require advanced ARRT certificationExperience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements - you must have at least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level - GS-08 - that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that levelExamples of experience at the GS-8 level include but are not limited to: Ability to check system for operation and assess acceptable performance based on established guidelinesKnowledge of calibration parameters and the ability to make adjustments as neededKnowledge of patient's clinical record - diagnosis - and laboratory resultsAbility to monitor patient's physiologic changes during the procedure and keep the radiologist informedSkill in using tact - diplomacy - and courtesy in dealings with the customer base - patients - staff - family - visitors - and volunteersand Knowledge of anatomy and physiology - and cross-sectional anatomy - recognizing unusual images - and determining proper positioning to best demonstrate areas of interestEmployees at the GS-9 level are fully functional as an advanced DRT - CT and carry out their assigned tasks independentlyDRTs 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 programRegardless 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 levelThe candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment-specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*) below: *Ability to balance the needs of patients and staff while still performing complex scans and proceduresKnowledge of techniques for gathering relevant information from the medical record - significant others - and health care providers*Ability to assess factors that may contraindicate the procedureKnowledge of basic first aid and basic life support practices related to radiographyKnowledge of physical assessment - aseptic techniques - intravenous methods and techniques and universal precautionsKnowledge of pre-procedural - procedural - and post-procedural care of patientsPreferred Experience: 5+ years of hospital based experienceReference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-09Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this positionQuestions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.DutiesTotal Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The position of a Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (Computed Tomography) - serves the Medical Center as a multi-disciplined technologist with primary responsibilities for performing a full range of diagnostic radiological procedures including computerized tomography - computerized tomographic angiography (CTA) - myelograms - arthrograms - stereotactic localization - rotational studies - digital reconstruction of computerized tomographic images - venography - operating room radiography - portable - interventional procedures - bone - chest - spine - extremities - abdominal - and fluoroscopic studiesMajor duties include - but are not limited to: Accurately operates a wide variety of imaging equipment to obtain examinations of acceptable qualityThis includes but is not limited to: Fluoroscopic and General Diagnostic exams - Portable Radiography - Portable Fluoroscopy - Operating Room and all other duties assignedPrepares contrast materials under the direction of the radiologist for the purpose of performing exams requiring injectable or consumable solutions such as UGI's - BE's - Small Bowel - Modified Barium Swallows - Venograms - Cystograms - Cholangiograms - Fistulagrams - Arthrography - etcTechnologists must be familiar with policies and procedures for practicing radiation safety to reduce exposure to patients - staff and selfAdheres to Radiation Safety guidelines - properly determines applying technical factors to ensure ALARA dose optimization - positioning - required views - etcto produce and satisfy requirements for diagnostic imagingRecords all doses of radiation for fluoroscopy and portable fluoroscopy exams in the technologist comment section in Vista and/or by generating and sending the dose summary report from the fluoroscopy equipmentTechnologists receive and interpret all radiology requests for accuracy - appropriatenessdate desired and maintain a thorough knowledge of the ordering process in CPRSThoroughly reviews the radiology order screening information for accuracy - noting and researching all questionable information prior to contacting the patient or performing the examPerforms and completes imaging studies within the established guidelines for start - pre-op - urgent and routine examsResponsible for the quality of radiographic exams performed to assure a high level of acceptability of radiographs while minimizing patient dosage and reducing costsResponsible for operating and maximizing utilization of all equipmentIndependently identifies - performs and completes active radiologic examsCoordinates examinations that require radiologist direction around physician availability - maximizing exam room effectivenessIndependently identifies - performs and completes inpatient radiology exams whenever possibleTechnologists work with staff and radiology schedules to assure timely accomplishment of assigned workload - making day-to-day adjustments in accordance with established priorities and additional assignmentsOptimizes appointment times while maintaining flexibility for emergency casesPerforms additional duties as assigned Work Schedule: Full-Time - 10-hour shifts from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM with rotating shifts as follows: Week 1: Sunday - Tuesday - Wednesday - ThursdayWeek 2: Monday - Wednesday - Friday - Saturday to include weekend and holiday rotationsEDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentiveContact VHAVISN04HREDRP@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistanceLearn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increasesWhen 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 experienceParental 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 childChild 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 $416.66Retirement: 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 positionFunctional Statement #: 06165F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized