Summary

Advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologists are trained to work in one or more difficult and complex modalities performing procedures as well as performing general diagnostic procedures. At this grade level - any assignment in a single modality must demonstrate significant complexity. Such assignments are unique - perhaps with expert specialization in complex areas of radiologic technology - Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) regulations - and intermediate QM type duties within the program.

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)
• 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) is required
• NOTE: A transcript from accredited colleges - universities - schools - or institutions must be submitted with your application
• 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
• NOTE: You must submit a copy of your certification(s) with your application
• 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)
• Grandfathering Provision
• All persons employed in VHA as a DRT on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title - series and grade held - including positive education and certification that are part of the basic requirements of the DRT occupation
• For employees who do not meet all of the basic requirements in this standard - but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it - the following provisions apply: DRTs that require a certification - may be reassigned - promoted up to and including the full performance (journeyman) level - or changed to lower grade within the occupation - but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions
• DRTs that require a certification only at higher grade levels must meet the certification requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels
• DRTs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed - on a temporary or permanent basis - until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard
• DRTs initially grandfathered into this occupation - who subsequently obtain additional education and/or certification that meet all of the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation
• (5) Employees who are retained as a DRT under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry as a DRT
• NOTE: Each uncertified VHA DRT who was permanently employed on June 21 - 1986 - and whose competence in the safe administration of ionizing radiation was affirmed - in writing - by a VA licensed physician not later than January 1 - 1987 - is considered fully qualified
• These employees may be promoted - changed to lower grade - or reassigned within the GS-0647 occupational series
• Any employee initially retained in this manner who leaves this job series loses protected status and must meet the full requirements in effect at the time of reentry
• GRADE REQUIREMENTS Grade Determinations for Advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist - GS-10 The following is used to determine the grade requirements for an Advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (IR/Vascular/X-Ray) at the GS-10 grade level
• Interventional Radiography (IR) Technologists working in this special assignment may function as vascular interventional (VI) - cardiac interventional (CI) and/or cardiovascular-interventional (CV) technologists which use specialized equipment to perform diagnostic angiographic procedures and complex vascular and nonvascular interventional and therapeutic procedures
• This specialty requires additional knowledge of vascular systems and major vessel anatomy
• The technologist must be knowledgeable in the specialized equipment employed for digital subtraction systems and interventional procedures
• The technologist administers contrast media under the supervision of the staff radiologist and confers with the radiologist to establish requirements regarding contrast agents - vital signs - medications - and physiologic monitoring to perform procedures
• IR technologist must be knowledgeable in digital imagining and Picture Archival Communication System (PACS)
• Experience: Candidates must have at least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-09) - directly related to the position being filled that demonstrates the following clinical competencies 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
• Advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist
• Employees are trained to work in one or more difficult and complex modalities performing procedures related to these modalities as well as performing general diagnostic procedures
• At this grade level - any assignment in a single modality must demonstrate significant complexity
• Such assignments are unique - perhaps with expert specialization in complex areas of radiologic technology - Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) regulations - and intermediate QM type duties within the program
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: In addition to the experience listed above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs: Knowledge of radiation protection standards - devices and techniques - including concepts of accumulated dosage - dose monitoring - and genetic changes
• Ability to utilize advanced imaging software that supports complex imaging programs and recognize changes in equipment and procedures that might result in increased exposures - and ability to recommend methods to prevent such exposures
• Knowledge of basic physics including concepts of energy - electric power - magnetic fields - and properties of x-ray - to understand the operation of the equipment
• Knowledge and skill in positioning of patients for a wide variety of highly complex imaging (CT - MRI - IR - ultrasound - mammography) studies
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/OHRM/QualificationStandards/HT38/0649-MedicalInstrumentTechnician.pdf The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-10
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-10
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Duties

• The Advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist - Interventional Radiography (IR)/Vascular/X-ray incumbent working in this special assignment may function as vascular interventional (VI) - cardiac interventional (CI) and/or cardiovascular-interventional (CV) technologists which use specialized equipment to perform diagnostic angiographic procedures and complex vascular and nonvascular interventional and therapeutic procedures
• This specialty requires additional knowledge of vascular systems and major vessel anatomy
• The technologist must be knowledgeable in the specialized equipment employed for digital subtraction systems and interventional procedures
• The technologist administers contrast media under the supervision of the staff radiologist and confers with the radiologist to establish requirements regarding contrast agents - vital signs - medications - and physiologic monitoring to perform procedures
• IR technologist must be knowledgeable in digital imagining and Picture Archival Communication System (PACS)
• Duties may include but are not limited to: Accurately operates a wide variety of imaging equipment to obtain examinations of acceptable quality - utilizing the least amount of radiation to obtain quality imaging for diagnosis and localization purposes
• Technologist works under the supervision of the Section Supervisor and/or Lead Technologist and rotates all responsibilities within the CT and General Radiology section
• Performs all aspects of interventional and vascular procedures by standardized protocols as directed by the radiologist to include all digital angiography - tomography - venograms - myelograms - percutaneous nephrostomy
• Technologist will independently perform examinations of the head - entire spine - chest - abdomen - and extremities - using direct radiography (DR)
• All examinations are processed digitally
• Technologist will operate all radiographic and portable units
• Independently perform all types of radiographic - tomographic - and portable procedures at the bedside and in the operating rooms
• Technologist will rotate into different interventional - vascular and radiology rooms to maintain knowledge of all procedures and equipment
• Observes patients during procedures and reports complications or unusual events
• Technologist receives and interprets all radiology requests for accuracy - appropriateness
• date desired and maintains a thorough knowledge of the ordering process in CPRS
• Technologist works with interventional and vascular schedule to assure timely accomplishment of assigned workload - making day-to-day adjustments in accordance with established priorities and additional assignments
• Performs and completes imaging studies within the established guidelines for stat - preop - urgent - and routine exams
• Properly identifies patient by using two forms of identification: full name - date of birth - full social security number and/or hospital name band
• Responsible to explain exams to competent patients so that the patient understands what is to be done and what - if any - potential adverse effects may be possible
• Transfer wheelchair and stretcher patients safely using ergonomic methods of patient transfer with the use of provided transfer equipment such as sit to stand - ceiling mounted lifts and air mattresses
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 7:30 am - 4:00 pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): May be authorized for a highly qualified candidate subject to approval - available funding - and in accordance with agency policy
• 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 #: PD41290F Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf