Summary

This position is located with the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) Grand Forks - ND. The Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (DRT) - position is assigned to the Fargo VA Health Care System Imaging Service/Computed Tomography department. FHCS is a level two complexity level - providing research - servicing ten CBOC's - emergency department and in-patient facility.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States
• (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3g.) Certification
• All applicants must be certified in general radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology - Radiography (ARRT) (R)
• Exception for Non-Certified - Entry Level Candidates
• Non-certified DRTs who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for ARRT (R) certification may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate DRT under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B)
• The appointing official may waive the requirement of certification for a period not to exceed two years for a DRT that provides care under the supervision of a certified DRT at or above the full performance level
• This exception only applies at the GS-5 entry level technician
• For grade levels above the entry level - the candidate must be certified
• Temporary appointments of non-certified DRTs may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment
• 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).] 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
• 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
• 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 Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist - GS-8 Experience
• At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level
• Experience at the next lower grade level is demonstrated by working knowledge of the technical adequacy of the digital image - including the ability to adjust the image quality in the digital system
• Working knowledge of different contrast material required for the requested study
• Working knowledge of radiation protection standards - minimum radiographic exposure techniques - appropriate beam limitation to anatomical area - and employing lead shielding when performing standard radiographic and fluoroscopic procedures
• Working knowledge of computed radiography - CR readers and Digital Imaging systems and working knowledge of PACS and basic computer skills
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Ability to check system for operation and assess acceptable performance based on established guidelines
• (b) Knowledge of calibration parameters and the ability to make adjustments as needed
• (c) Knowledge of patient's clinical record - diagnosis - and laboratory results
• (d) Ability to monitor patient's physiologic changes during the procedure and keep the radiologist informed
• (e) Skill in using tact - diplomacy - and courtesy in dealings with the customer base - patients - staff - family - visitors - and volunteers
• (f) Knowledge of anatomy and physiology - and cross-sectional anatomy - recognizing unusual images - and determining proper positioning to best demonstrate areas of interest
• Preferred Experience: Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-8. Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position
• Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers
• This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest
• As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care - you will operate in a model with three core elements - seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran
• This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community
• This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being
• Major duties 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
• Performs complex diagnostic and portable radiographic examinations within the facility for in- patients and the emergency department
• Must assist and anticipate the needs of the radiologist/physician and the performance of the exam
• Required to adhere to the Radiology Service procedure guidelines on protocols of contrast administration - Administration of Contrast Media After-Hours - Guidelines for Power Injection of Contrast Media in PICC lines - central lines - and power ports
• Technologists must be familiar with policies and procedures for practicing radiation safety to reduce exposure to patients - staff and self
• Utilize lead aprons - lead gloves - and lead shields when exposed to radiation
• Film badges are worn by the technologists and exchanged in a timely manner - which follows radiation regulations
• Receive and interpret all radiology requests for accuracy - appropriateness
• Performs and completes imaging studies within the established guidelines for stat - pre-op - urgent - and routine exams
• Works with scheduling to ensure timely accomplishment of assigned workload - making day-to-day adjustments in accordance with established priorities and additional assignments
• Applies Infection Control practices and procedures for patients and staff - as mandated by the Medical Center and Radiology Service Infection Control policies
• Maintains adequate supplies and pharmaceuticals used in the department
• Use independent judgment and possess the ability to vary exams or treatment procedures as needed to compensate for patient's individual medical conditions and body habitus
• Properly identifies patient by using full name and full social security number and/or hospital name band
• Responsible for notifying proper individuals of equipment issues
• Maintains competency and thorough knowledge of the processes for Critical - Semi-Critical - and Non-Critical Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's) that document the process and procedures for cleaning - disinfection - sterilization and preparation of RME and follow established procedures for all RME
• Work Schedule: 8:00am to 4:30pm Monday-Friday 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 #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized