Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (Computed Tomography)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is hiring a Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist to perform CT examinations at the Kansas City VA Medical Center. This role involves advanced imaging procedures, patient monitoring, and requires specific certifications. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in radiologic technology and be capable of working in a complex medical environment.

Qualifications

• Certified in general radiologic technology by ARRT required.
• Advanced certification or equivalent experience in CT needed.
• Knowledge of current radiologic technology practices essential.

Responsibilities

• Perform Computed Tomography (CT) examinations.
• Monitor patients during CT procedures.
• Provide on-call coverage and complex imaging procedures.

Skills

Proficiency in English

Knowledge of radiologic technology practices

Ability to assess patient needs

Education

Completion of a 24-month training course in diagnostic radiologic technology

ARRT certification in Radiography

Advanced ARRT certification (CT)

Job description

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.




Duties

As a Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist, the technologist will be required to perform Computed Tomography (CT) examinations in the Radiology Service at this complex medical center, as well as provide on-call coverage in the modality as necessary. Incumbent should expect to maintain current advanced registry in CT. This vacancy is for a position as a Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (CT) with the Radiology Service Line of the Kansas City VA Medical Center. As a Certified Diagnostic Radiological Technologist (DRT),it is required to operate a Multi slice and Spiral Computed Tomography Scanner, perform difficult imaging procedures inclusive of Computed Tomography (CT) with 3D reconstructions, and monitor patients during all phases of appropriate examinations.

Major Duties include but not limited to:

Requirements

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.
• 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. (Transcripts Required)
• English Language Proficiency: Diagnostic Radiologic Technologists 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).

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 one year of active practice, which is paid or non-paid employment as a DRT as defined by ARRT.
(2) 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.
(3) 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.

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for appointment, the following criteria must be met.

Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist, GS-9 [CT]

Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-8), directly related to the position being filled that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level.(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.)

In addition, must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment-specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*):
i. *Ability to balance the needs of patients and staff while still performing complex scans and procedures.
ii. Knowledge of techniques for gathering relevant information from the medical record, significant others, and health care providers.
iii. *Ability to assess factors that may contraindicate the procedure.
iv. Knowledge of basic first aid and basic life support practices related to radiography.
v. Knowledge of physical assessment, aseptic techniques, intravenous methods and techniques and universal precautions.
vi. 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/.

Preferred Experience: Applicant must be Computed Tomography registered by the ARRT

.References: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. VA Handbook 5005/119 PART II APPENDIX G25

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9.

Physical Requirements: Ability to routinely lift up to 45 pounds and occasionally perform heavy lifting/carrying of over 45 pounds. Position requires long periods of sitting, standing, and walking. Position requires intermittent periods of kneeling, bending, twisting, pulling/pushing, simple grasping, and occasionally reaching for objects above the shoulder. Advanced modalities involve long periods of fine manipulations (using keyboard for operation of scanner and computer databases)