Diagnostic Radiologic Tech (Gen)

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Asheville (NC); On-site; USD 58,000 - 82,000; Full time

Job summary

The US Department of Veterans Affairs Imaging Department seeks a Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist to perform general radiography and fluoroscopy, reviewing exam requests with radiologists and supporting procedures across multiple center locations in Asheville. Candidates must meet basic ARRT certification and education requirements, with English proficiency.

Qualified applicants may be referred under grandfathering provisions for current VA employees in this occupation; advanced

Qualifications

• Must be ARRT certified in Radiologic Technology (R).
• Completion of a full-time radiologic technology program of at least 24 months, accredited by JRCERT or recognized agency.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English as required by policy.
• Grandfathering provision may apply for current VA employees in this occupation.

Responsibilities

• Operate general radiography and fluoroscopy equipment to acquire diagnostic radiographs.
• Screen exam requests for appropriateness and review with a radiologist as needed.
• Support fluoroscopic exams and procedures to aid diagnosis and treatment.
• Prepare and administer contrast media and medications per regulations.
• Maintain Knowledge of CR/DR systems and PACS.

Skills

Anatomy knowledge

Patient safety procedures

Digital radiography (CR/DR)

PACS familiarity

Communication with radiologists

Education

ARRT Certification (R)

24-month post-high school radiologic technology program

English proficiency

Tools

CR/DR imaging systems

PACS

Radiology Information Systems

Job description

The duties are performed in the Imaging Department, Emergency Department, OR, PACU and various other locations in the Medical Center

The Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist operates general radiography and fluoroscopy equipment to acquire diagnostic radiographs of patients and support fluoroscopic exams and procedures to enable the diagnosis and treatment of disease. Exam requests are screened for appropriateness and reviewed with a radiologist as needed.

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: 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 ate 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.
• 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

Creditable Experience:

• 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 one year of active practice, which is paid or non-paid employment as a DRT as defined by ARRT.
• Quality of Experience. Experience is only creditable if it was earned after completion of the basic certification requirements identified in paragraph 2b above. Experience as a graduate DRT is creditable provided the candidate functioned as a DRT and subsequently passed the certification examination.
• Part-Time Experience. Part-time experience as a DRT is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweek. For example, a DRT would receive one week of full- time credit for each two weeks of half-time work.

General Radiologic Technology (R). DRTs perform procedures and examinations in hospitals 4 or clinics under the direction of radiologists and other medical officers. The objective of the examinations and procedures is to produce radiographic studies that are used in medical diagnosis and interpreted by medical officers to locate injuries, foreign bodies, pathological conditions, or lesions within the body. They prepare and administer contrast media and medications in accordance with State and Federal regulations. All DRTs must be knowledgeable in computerized [and digital radiography (CR/DR),] and picture archiving and communications systems (PACS).

GS-5:

• Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-6:

• Experience or Education. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level or the successful completion of one full academic year of graduate education leading to a degree in radiography or other directly related field to diagnostic radiology/imaging.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
  • Knowledge of basic technique standards for minimum radiographic exposure.
  • Knowledge of anatomy and positioning.
  • Knowledge of all patient safety procedures.
  • Knowledge of radiographic producing equipment.
  • Ability to learn basic computer functions.

GS-7:

• Experience or Education. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level; or the successful completion of one full academic year of graduate education leading to a degree in radiography or other directly related field to diagnostic radiology/imaging; or successful completion of an advanced registry program, with certification, in addition to a 4-year baccalaureate degree program in radiography or other directly related field to diagnostic radiology/imaging. Education may relate to the duties of a specific position or to the occupation but must be appropriate for the position being filled.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
  • Knowledge of the technical adequacy of the digital image, including the ability to adjust the image quality in the digital system.
  • Knowledge of different contrast material required for the requested study.
  • 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.
  • Knowledge of computed radiography, CR readers and Digital Imaging systems.
  • Knowledge of PACS and basic computer skills.

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.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
  • 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.

Preferred Experience:

Minimum 3 year experience post graduation from accredited Radiography program.

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 in the range of GS-5 to GS-8

Physical Requirements

Frequent standing, walking, grasping, carrying, reaching, bending, stooping and speaking. Lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling up to 25 pounds. Frequent use of computer keyboard and phone. Precise control of power-assisted equipment and devices.