Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist-Computed Tomography

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; West Haven (CT); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in West Haven, CT is seeking a Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist-CT for a full-time role in the Radiology department. The position involves CT imaging, patient care, protocol adherence, and quality control.

Candidates must meet ARRT CT requirements, ARRT radiography, possess appropriate education, and be proficient in English. The job includes a standard 40-hour week, opportunities for professional growth, and competitive federal benefits.

Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. citizen or eligible per VA policy
• ARRT radiography (R) certification required
• Advanced ARRT CT certification required for CT assignments
• Completion of a 24-month post-high school diagnostic radiologic technology program (or equivalent)
• Program must be accredited by JRCERT or ARRT-accredited school

Responsibilities

• Perform CT procedures with accuracy, safety, and efficiency
• Administer contrast material under radiologist direction
• Transfer and position patients and ensure comfort and safety
• Maintain image quality, labeling, and documentation for PACS transmission
• Provide education to patients and families about imaging procedures and safety

Skills

English proficiency

CT imaging knowledge

Patient care

Communication

Education

Associate degree in radiologic technology

ARRT Radiography certification (R)

Advanced ARRT CT certification

Tools

Carestream PACS

Job description

Summary

The Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist-CT position is located in the Radiology department at the West Haven - CT location. This position is a Full-time position at 40 hours per week/80 hours per pay period.

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) - 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
• English Language Proficiency
• DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English
• 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
• 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 GS-9 DRT Experience At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-08) directly related to the position being filled that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level
• The candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs: 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
• Preferred Experience: ARRT registration and CT certification required
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: This position requires a moderate amount of physical activity working with the equipment and maneuvering patients including eye/hand coordination
• full use of arms - hands and wrists
• transporting - lifting - lowering - moving - turning heavy objects and/or patients
• standing - sitting - or reaching for extended periods of time
• Requires color vision and depth perception: must be able to differentiate subtle shades of gray on a diagnostic image
• must also respond to audio signals.

Duties

• VA Careers - Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist: https://youtube.com/embed/I-4ku5UMvWM Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The duties may include but are not limited to: Transfer patients from stretcher or wheelchair to imaging table Prepare room - equipment and material needed for patient procedures Prepare oral and injectable contrast and other chemical mixtures as necessary Follow prescribed protocols required to perform procedures Observe patients during procedures and reports complications or unusual events Perform computer work and required forms associated with patient exams - credit of patient visits - complications and /or quality improvement activities of the Radiology Department
• Administer contrast material - under the direction of the radiologist - according to protocols
• Maximize patient throughput by contacts with escort - ward secretaries - nursing personnel - etc
• Maintain a clean work area and adequate level of supplies within their assigned rooms at all times Provide training to student radiographers and residents from affiliated programs and facilitates the attainment of established program objectives Practice hospital safety - radiation safety - infection control and universal precautions at all times in accordance with age and/or gender specific departmental procedures Responsible for the quality assurance of the image (positioning/label/technique/network information) prior to transmission to the PAC's network
• Assist the house staff in use of Care-stream PACS system and can also transfer images to the network and/or transmission to offsite locations
• Responsible for cleaning and maintaining the work area - exam room - and imaging equipment to standards set by the manufacturer
• Provide education to patients and their families on Imaging procedures Clerical and file room duties related to patient care Other duties as assigned Work Schedule: Tuesday and Thursday 7am-7:30pm - Friday 10am-2pm and every other Saturday and Sunday 8am-8pm
• Includes on call and holiday coverage
• Compressed/Flexible: Not Available
• Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Available
• Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Available
• 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 #: F03119 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Available PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Available