Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist

US Department of Veterans Affairs; Fayetteville (NC); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The Fayetteville VA Medical Center Imaging Service is seeking a Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist to perform complex diagnostic imaging exams to support patient diagnosis and care. The role requires ARRT certification and appropriate advanced credentials for CT, MRI, and mammography as applicable.

Applicants must meet credentialing standards and complete the required radiologic technology program. Opportunities exist to work with a range of imaging modalities in a VA environment committed to

Qualifications

• Must be ARRT certified in general radiologic technology (R).
• Completion of a 24-month post-high school radiologic technology program.
• Advanced ARRT certification required for CT, MRI, or Mammography duties as applicable.

Responsibilities

• Perform a wide variety of complex diagnostic imaging examinations to aid in diagnosis and treatment.
• Operates independently in assigned modalities and adheres to credentialing standards.
• Maintain documentation, quality control, and regulatory compliance related to imaging procedures.

Skills

ARRT Certification

Clinical competency

Radiology safety

Education

24-month radiologic technology program

Tools

CT

MRI

Mammography

Job description

The Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist is a position for the Imaging Service at the Fayetteville VA Medical Center. Performs a wide variety of complex diagnostic imaging examinations for patients to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of disease and injury. 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.]

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.]

Credentialing Standards. Public Law 97-35, the Consumer-Patient Radiation Health and Safety Act of 1981, requires that people 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 U.S. Department of Education and be certified as radiographers in their field.

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.

Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

English Language Proficiency. DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d).

GRADE REQUIREMENTS.

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.

Computed Tomography (CT). 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 interest to the physician. [DRT assignments that include performance of independent duties in this subspecialty require advanced ARRT certification.]

GRADE DETERMINATIONS.

In addition to the basic requirements for appointments, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates:

[Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist], GS-8 []

1. Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level.
2. Assignments. 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.
3. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
   • (a) Ability to check systems for operation and assess acceptable performance based on established guidelines.
   • (b) Knowledge of calibration parameters and the ability to make adjustments as needed.
   • (c) Knowledge of patient's clinical record, diagnosis, and laboratory results.
   • (d) Ability to monitor patient's physiologic changes during the procedure and keep the radiologist informed.
   • (e) Skill in using tact, diplomacy, and courtesy in dealings with the customer base, patients, staff, family, visitors, and volunteers.
   • (f) Knowledge of anatomy and physiology, and cross-sectional anatomy, recognizing unusual images, and determining proper positioning to best demonstrate areas of interest.

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-08. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-08.