Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist - Computerized Tomography

The Incumbent operates independently and performs Diagnostic Radiographs and a variety of specialized computerized tomography examinations covering most portions of the body including, bladder, spleen, aorta, kidney, head neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis, spine, extremities, pancreas, biopsies and drainage. Exams are performed with and without contrast materials. Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties for this position are performed without direct supervision, duties for this position include but are not limited to the following: CT: 50% Have specific knowledge of human anatomy, including-cross sectional anatomy, and its application in spiral, and/or multi-slice Computer Tomography including • Peripheral Vascular, Spine, Abdomen, CT Angiography, Brain, and Virtual Colonography. Determines the consistency, of masses with the aid of the CT Software as (cystic or solid} and their relationship to adjacent abdominal structures. Ensures CT scan radiation doses are documented in PACS and/or on in the procedure for Radiologist to dictate in the patient's report. Performs quality control/assurance checks on completed CT scans to ensure optimally diagnostic images are referred for radiologists' interpretation. Receives patients and explains procedures, prepares the room and equipment. Explain exams to competent patients so that the patient understands what is to be done as well as what hazards, if any, are possible. Monitor vital signs, recognize allergic reactions, and initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and emergency measures to include AED. Properly identifies patient images. This is critical to ensure incorrect images or document errors do not occur. The technologist must be certain that the patient I.D. and the request are identical. Use of patient identifiers is required. Starts IV's, prepares contrast materials, and under direction of the radiologist injects contrast for imaging procedures. Observes patient and immediately notifies Radiologist when a reaction is suspected. Performs Intravenous injections of Contrast Material with pressure injection system. Practices safe use of the pressure injector and injects IV contrast material at injection rates provided by the Radiologist or pre-defined in the CT Exam protocol manual. Performs 3-D reconstructions of CT and angiographic studies when requested or when part of a standard procedure. Completes procedures by ensuring all images have been transmitted, and exam closed out in VistA. Responsible for explaining exams to patients so that they understand what is to be done as well as what hazards, if they exist. Responsible for ordering, stocking, and inventory of all supplies and related materials. Continually reviews new developments in the imaging field. Required to be on-call for Diagnostic Radiology at primary and alternate locations when needed DRT: 50% Receives and interprets requests or instructions for general or complex procedures. Edit/make changes to requests as appropriate when directed by a radiologist or medical provider. Perform all requested procedures and exercises control of area and equipment. Maintains sterility; cleans portable equipment after each case and as needed; and reports malfunctions to bio-medical engineer; and makes coordination to have equipment ready for service. Prepares room and equipment for procedures, ensuring necessary supplies, contrast materials (oral, rectal, or Intravenous}, and imaging plates are readily available. Monitors vital signs as appropriate for procedure and notifies radiologist of significant changes complications; may administer anesthetic or antispasmodic drugs under close control. Performs other related duties assigned to this position. Required to be on-call for Computerized Tomography at primary and alternate locations when needed Work Schedule: Weekends only- Friday 8:00am • 8:00 pm and Saturday- Sunday 6:00am • 8:00pm (Work schedule subject to change based on agency needs). Compressed/Flexible: Compressed 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 #: 58896F 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). Certification. All applicants must be certified in general radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT) (R). Advanced Radiography ARRT certification is required for Computed Tomography (CT). Education. Completion of a full-time training course of at least 24 months duration (or the equivalent) in a post-high school diagnostic radiologic technology program, evidenced by a certificate or an associate's degree, accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) or from schools accredited by the ARRT and certification by the ARRT in radiology. 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 Department of Education, and be certified as radiographers in their field. 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). Creditable Experience: (1) Knowledge of Current Radiologic Technology Practice. To be creditable, experience must have demonstrated possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics (also referred to as clinical competencies) associated with current radiologic technology practice. This may have been evidenced by the equivalent of 1 year of active practice, which is paid or non-paid employment as a Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (DRT) as defined by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). (2) Quality of Experience. Experience is only creditable if it was earned after completion of the basic certification requirements identified in paragraph above. Experience as a graduate Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist is creditable provided the candidate functioned as a Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist and subsequently passed the certification examination. (3) Part-Time Experience. Part-time experience as a Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweek. For example, a Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist would receive 1 week of full-time credit for each 2 weeks of half-time work. Computed Tomography (Computerized Tomography). 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 examinations. The technologist requires specific knowledge and training in the location, appearance, and function of the various major and minor systems susceptible to radiological illumination; to interpret the examination request accurately; to understand the functioning and inter-relationship of the various organs; to use the 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 particular interest to the physician. This subspecialty requires advanced American Registry of Radiologic Technologies (ARRT) certification. Grade Determinations: GS-9 Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist 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. Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist: Employees at this level are fully functional as an advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist and carry out their assigned tasks independently. DRTs 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 program. Regardless 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 level. The candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment-specific KSAs designated by an asterisk ( ): a. Ability to balance the needs of patients and staff while still performing complex scans and procedures; b. Skill to demonstrate appropriate techniques to gather relevant information from the medical record, significant others, and health care providers; c. Ability to assess factors that may contraindicate the procedure; d. Knowledge of basic first aid and basic life support practices related to radiography; e. Knowledge of physical assessment, aseptic techniques, intravenous methods and techniques and universal precautions; and f. Knowledge of pre-procedural, procedural, and post-procedural care of patients. Preferred Experience: Must be registered with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist (ARRT) in Radiology (R) x-ray, and Computed Tomography. 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-9. Physical Requirements: The individual must have the physical ability to perform job-related duties which require heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over, standing up to 6 hours, wearing PPE (Lead Apron) up to 6 hours, bending, transferring. stooping, stretching, walking, pushing, or pulling without assistance from another patient care provider or significant other. A health examination must be successfully complete prior to this assignment and periodically thereafter as required by the Employee Health Clinic policy. You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation/examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.