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: Experience in CT
• 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

• VA Careers - Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist: https://youtube.com/embed/I-4ku5UMvWM List the major duties and responsibilities of the position
• Schedules exams in a manner to optimize scanner times while maintaining flexibility for emergency cases
• This requires the ability to prioritize scheduled patients as well as the ability to accommodate the emergency patient who may need immediate emergency surgery - etc
• Confers with radiologists to determine requirement of non-standard exams
• Determines technical factors - positioning - number and thickness of scans - etc. - to produce and satisfy requirements of CT scanning
• Schedules patients for examinations
• Advises radiologists or referring physicians of examination results
• Notifies them of scans requiring their immediate attention
• Performs peripheral and visceral/abdominal systems and extremities and CT angiography - including spine - head and neck studies
• These studies include renal - hepatic - mesenteric - aortic - femoral - etc
• The exams involve the use of highly sophisticated x-ray equipment - pressure injectors - biplane imaging - patient monitors - etc
• The purpose of these exams is to achieve diagnostic or therapeutic studies of the vascular systems and spinal canal
• Performs myelography of the complete spine utilizing conventional x-ray units - spot films - patient immobilizers - etc. - when required
• The purpose of these exams is to achieve diagnostic studies of the spinal canal
• Works with the radiologist
• Must assist and anticipate the needs of the radiologists and the performance of the exam
• Must be continuously on the alert for the patient's condition - and maintain sterile field during biopsies
• The alertness of the individual is essential to prevent contamination - recognize patient reactions - and anticipate technique factor difficulties
• Prepares contrast materials that are used in CT/angiography and other exams
• Improper use or administration of the contrast materials run the risk of patient mortality and - therefore - it is essential that a thorough understanding of the contrast material usage is possessed by those who prepare it
• In addition - must be continuously on the alert to the patient's condition and other disorders
• Reactions on the part of the patient require immediate attention so that harm does not come to the patient
• Is trained to insert IV needles for administration of contrast material when necessary
• Practices radiation safety in order to reduce exposure to patients - staff and self
• This is achieved by the use of lead aprons - lead gloves - lead shields - lead lined walls and collimation
• Film badges are worn by the technicians in compliance with radiation regulations
• Capable of performing reconstructions of general CT and CT angiographic studies when requested or when part of a standard procedure
• Maintains records and files of exams performed on patients
• This includes the maintenance of patient logbooks registration and editing of patient exams in the computerized information system
• Properly identifies patient images
• This is essential so that mistaken identity of patient images does not occur
• The technician must be certain that the patient I.D
• band and the request are identical
• Confirms patient identity by verbally confirming patient name and social security number
• Responsible to explain exams to competent patients so that patients understand what is to be done as well as what hazards - if any - are possible
• Work Schedule: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM - Monday to Friday - rotating holidays and on call
• Compressed/Flexible: No EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact V19RMNHRSBULiaisonsOK@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more 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: No Functional Statement #: 52731A