Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist - Computerized Tomography

US Department of Veterans Affairs; Montgomery (AL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

US Department of Veterans Affairs seeks a Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist to conduct diagnostic radiographs and CT examinations across a wide range of anatomical areas. The incumbent will operate imaging equipment, sometimes with contrast, and must meet ARRT credentialing standards.

Qualified candidates will hold ARRT certification in radiology, with CT requiring ARRT CT certification, and complete a JRCERT- or ARRT-accredited education program.

Qualifications

• Certified in general radiologic technology by ARRT (R).
• Advanced radiography ARRT certification required for Computed Tomography (CT).
• Education: 24-month post-high school radiologic technology program accredited by JRCERT or ARRT approval.

Responsibilities

• Perform Diagnostic Radiographs and specialized CT examinations across major body regions.
• Operate radiographic equipment with/without contrast materials.
• Ensure patient safety and adherence to credentialing standards during imaging procedures.

Job description

The Incumbent operates independently and performs Diagnostic Radiographs and a variety of specialized computerized tomography examinations covering most portions of the body including, bladder, spleen, aorta, kidney, head neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis, spine, extremities, pancreas, biopsies and drainage. Exams are performed with and without contrast materials.

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.
• English Language Proficiency. DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d).
• Certification. All applicants must be certified in general radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT) (R). Advanced Radiography ARRT certification is required for 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.

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 1 year of active practice, which is paid or non-paid employment as a Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (DRT) as defined by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).

(2) Quality of Experience. Experience is only creditable if it was earned after completion of the basic certification requirements identified in paragraph above. Experience as a graduate Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist is creditable provided the candidate functioned as a Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist and subsequently passed the certification examination.

(3) Part-Time Experience. Part-time experience as a Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweek. For example, a Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist would receive 1 week of full-time credit for each 2 weeks of half-time work.

Computed Tomography (Computerized Tomography). 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 particular interest to the physician. This subspecialty requires advanced American Registry of Radiologic Technologies (ARRT) certification.

Grade Determinations

GS-9 Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist

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.

Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist: Employees at this level are fully functional as an advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist and carry out their assigned tasks independently. DRTs at this level may have varying assignments including special and complex imaging procedures beyond the full performance level, clinical instruction, and basic QM type duties within the program. Regardless of the nature of the specific assignment, the work must be of sufficient scope and complexity to meet the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform at this level.

The candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment-specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*):

• *a. Ability to balance the needs of patients and staff while still performing complex scans and procedures;
• b. Skill to demonstrate appropriate techniques to gather relevant information from the medical record, significant others, and health care providers;
• *c. Ability to assess factors that may contraindicate the procedure;
• d. Knowledge of basic first aid and basic life support practices related to radiography;
• e. Knowledge of physical assessment, aseptic techniques, intravenous methods and techniques and universal precautions; and
• f. Knowledge of pre-procedural, procedural, and post-procedural care of patients.

Preferred Experience:

Must be registered with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologist (ARRT) in Radiology (R) x-ray, and Computed Tomography.

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.

Physical Requirements

The individual must have the physical ability to perform job-related duties which require heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over, standing up to 6 hours, wearing PPE (Lead Apron) up to 6 hours, bending, transferring. stooping, stretching, walking, pushing, or pulling without assistance from another patient care provider or significant other. A health examination must be successfully complete prior to this assignment and periodically thereafter as required by the Employee Health Clinic policy.