Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist - CT

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Reno (NV); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The US Department of Veterans Affairs seeks a Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (GS-9) to perform CT, general radiography, and operating room radiography. The incumbent will handle contrast studies to support diagnostic accuracy.

Requirements include US citizenship, ARRT certification, a 24-month post-high school radiologic technology program accredited by JRCERT or ARRT, and English proficiency. Advanced CT certification is required for CT duties.

Qualifications

• Must be a United States citizen.
• Certification in general radiologic technology by ARRT (R).
• Advanced ARRT certification required for CT/MRI/Mammography duties performed independently.
• Completion of a 24-month post-high school radiologic technology program accredited by JRCERT or ARRT-certified.
• English language proficiency per VA policy.

Responsibilities

• Perform general radiography, operating room radiography, and CT examinations.
• Conduct CT head/neck/spine/chest and body exams with contrast to support diagnoses.
• Produce high-quality images for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.

Skills

Patient care in radiography

Medical record review

Contraindication assessment

First aid & life support

Aseptic technique

Pre/post procedural care

Education

ARRT radiology certification

2-year post-high-school radiologic technology program

Job description

The Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist Performs computerized tomography of the head, neck spine, chest and body, and uses contrast materials. The purpose of these exams is to achieve diagnostic studies to bring about proper diagnosis and treatment. The incumbent is required to perform radiographic examinations in three areas: (1) general radiography, (2) Operating room radiography, and (3) Computerized Tomography.

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 (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.
• 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.
• English Language Proficiency: Diagnostic Radiologic Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with the VA Policy.

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).

All persons employed in VHA as a DRT on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and certification that are part of the basic requirements of the DRT occupation. For employees who do not meet all of the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:

(1) DRTs that require a certification, may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journeyman) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.
(2) DRTs that require a certification only at higher grade levels must meet the certification requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels.
(3) DRTs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.
(4) DRTs initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or certification that meet all of the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.
(5) Employees who are retained as a DRT under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry as a DRT.

Grade Determinations

Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist, GS-9

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.(2)

Assignments

For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. DRTs at this grade level may be appointed to one of the following assignments:(a)

• Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist. Employees at this level are fully functional as an advanced DRT 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 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.

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.

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

This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity. This position requires potentially long periods of continued walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. Must complete annual Employee Health requirements, such as annual TB screening or testing, as a condition of employment.