Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist

The VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System is recruiting for a Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist. The Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist will function in Imaging Service. The Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist will support the imaging needs of Surgical Services and Specialty Clinics at the VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System. This position provides high-quality diagnostic imaging to assist in the evaluation and treatment of Veterans receiving care across multiple clinical areas. Duties include performing radiographic examinations, maintaining imaging equipment, ensuring patient safety, and collaborating with interdisciplinary care teams to deliver efficient, accurate diagnostic services. The Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist must be knowledgeable in digital radiography (DR), picture archiving and communications systems (PACS). Duties include, but are not limited to: Operates portable and fixed radiographic equipment including but not limited to hybrid rooms, mobile c-arms, mini c-arms, portable radiographic units, and injectors. Works with attending physicians to optimize fluoroscopic procedures including performing spot and digital subtraction angiography (DSA). Knowledge of basic physics including concepts of energy, electrical power, and radiation physics as to understand the advanced operations of the fixed fluoroscopic units. Superuser for hybrid rooms serving as facility expert on the safe operation and troubleshooting of hybrid imaging equipment. Participates in a rotating on-call schedule to provide timely off-hour, weekend, and holiday OR imaging support. Determines action plan for specific procedure, including room configuration, customary and special supplies, and accessory equipment. Ensure that all equipment and supplies are available for the procedure. Requires knowledge and skill needed in positioning patients for the variety of complex studies. Performs DA, DSA, One-shot imaging as well as advanced imaging including Roadmap, all aspects of DSA stepping such as Panoramic view and split screen pixel shift, perform dynamic trace and all aspects of DSA and DA rotational imaging. Skill to recognize changes in technique and procedure that may lead to increase radiation doses. Advises surgeon on alternative techniques to decrease dosage. Ability to recognize changes in equipment that might result in increased exposure and how to recommend methods to prevent such exposures. Performs QA according to manufacturer's specifications. Performs daily function checklist for each Hybrid x-ray unit. Maintains QA records as required by Service SOP. Educates and directs all visitors to proper Radiation Safety guidelines including nurses, residents, and fellows. Confers with surgeon regarding nonstandard or atypical examinations and determines technical factors, positioning, and protocol modification according to the surgeon's direction and guidance. Responsible for training new technologists in advanced imaging procedures and low dose protocols. Performs basic and advanced image acquisitions as well as post processing. Provides patient education regarding fluoroscopic x-ray procedures. Performs safe operation of fluoroscopic equipment including radiation safety of patients and personnel participating in fluoroscopic procedures. Works with supervisors and other technologists to provide efficient and timely support to surgeons. Schedules exams in a manner to optimize efficiency. This requires the ability to prioritize scheduled patients as well as the ability to accommodate the emergency patient who may need immediate surgery. Properly identifies patient images and adheres to patient identification protocols. Acquires images and coordinates the sending/receiving of Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine (DICOM) images to the Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS). VA Careers • Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist: https://youtube.com/embed/I-4ku5UMvWM Work Schedule: Monday • Friday (Rotating 8 hour tours from 7:00am • 5:00pm) Compressed/Flexible: Available (Variable at Supervisor's discretion) 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) Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 95413-0 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. 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). 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. 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: 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.Experience at the GS-8 level may include: Ability to check system for operation and assess acceptable performance based on established guidelines Knowledge of calibration parameters and the ability to make adjustments as needed Knowledge of patient's clinical record, diagnosis, and laboratory results Ability to monitor patient's physiologic changes during the procedure and keep the radiologist informed Skill in using tact, diplomacy, and courtesy in dealings with the customer base, patients, staff, family, visitors, and volunteers Knowledge of anatomy and physiology, and cross-sectional anatomy, recognizing unusual images, and determining proper positioning to best demonstrate areas of interest Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA's): In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSA's: Ability to balance the needs of patients and staff while still performing complex scans and procedures Knowledge of techniques for gathering relevant information from the medical record, significant others, and health care providers Ability to assess factors that may contraindicate the procedure Knowledge of basic first aid and basic life support practices related to radiography Knowledge of physical assessment, aseptic techniques, intravenous methods and techniques and universal precautions 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/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the GS-9. Physical Requirements: Work requires walking, pushing, and lifting of patients and their respective transporting devices, as well as laundry and other stocking items needed. Heavy lifting of incapacitated patients is done with the help of other employees and various lifting devices. Work requires technologist to be aware of all who enter the MRI room and what they have on or in them along with the type of monitoring equipment they may have (ex; O2 tank, IVAC pump). Incumbent must pass pre-employment physical and designated drug testing. 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. 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/.