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.
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). 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). 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. 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. 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, directly related to the position being filled that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 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 Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. This announcement is for a GS-09 position, which is above the full performance level. Physical Requirements: The work requires long periods of standing and physical exertion. The incumbent will lift and bend frequently to position patients for testing. Reaching and stretching is required to set up equipment, pushing and pulling. ambulatory equipment is necessary between patient care areas. He/she will also be required to walk long distances between testing areas. Dexterity is required. All the above physical demands must be performed while wearing. approved radiation safety equipment.
VA Careers - Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist: https://youtube.com/embed/I-4ku5UMvWM Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf 1. 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. 2. 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. 3. The incumbent will utilize basic psychology for handling patients in all phases of general diagnostic/MRI including critical care, trauma, apprehensive, and disoriented patients, and to cope with patients families. 4. The incumbent performs first-aid procedures for seizures, cardiac arrest, anaphylactic shock, and contrast reactions. 5. Incumbent utilizes general diagnostic/MRI technical exposure factors and programming, and reviews films for quality control determinations by checking density, contrast, distortion and other varying factors. 6. 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. 7. Utilize computers as related to general diagnostic/MRI scanning, disc storage and use, maintenance of workstation computer files, machine warm up and calibration procedures, limited preventive maintenance to general diagnostic/MRI scanning unit and computer components for emergency trouble shooting. 8. Exhibits the working knowledge of DHCP/CPRS applications and protects computer data or safety sensitive information from unauthorized users. Protects access codes for any medical center computer programs. 9. Utilizes available resources to ensure safety of hardware, implants, and devices. Most guidelines are available through standard procedures. 10. Performs more complex exams and acts as a contact point for another technologist when performing complex examinations. Communicate with radiologist about special needs/request and determine best course of action. Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday, 0700-1530 - rotating call and holidays EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact david.billingsleyjr@va.gov, 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. 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 Functional Statement #:PD52733A