Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (CT/MRI) - Recruitment/Relocation Incentive Authorized

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Fort Worth (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs imaging service at VA North Texas Health Care System in Fort Worth seeks a Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (GS-9).

The incumbent will perform diagnostic radiologic procedures, including advanced CT/MRI duties as required, ensuring patient safety and image quality under established protocols. Applicants must meet ARRT requirements and the applicable credentialing standards, with on-the-job training available for compatible candidates.

Qualifications

• US citizenship required.
• ARRT certification in Radiography (R); advanced CT/MRI/Mammography certification required for independent duties.
• Education: 24-month post-high school diagnostic radiologic technology program, accredited by JRCERT or recognized by DOE.
• Credentialing standards under Public Law 97-35; meet certification/credentialing requirements.
• English language proficiency required.

Responsibilities

• Perform diagnostic radiologic procedures and imaging.
• Operate CT/MRI with appropriate advanced certification as applicable.
• Maintain patient safety and radiation protection.
• On-the-job training may be provided for employees without advanced certs.

Skills

Patient care

Clinical imaging

Education

AS/AA Radiologic Technology

Job description

OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until 01/28/2027. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be 10/29/2026, with subsequent cut-off dates on the 1st of each month. The Organizational Location of the Computerized Tomography (CT) position and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Position is: Imaging Service, VA North Texas Health Care System, Fort Worth, Texas.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).
• 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 U.S. Department of Education and be certified as radiographers in their field.
• English Language Proficiency: DRTs 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). 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.

NOTE: Each uncertified VHA DRT who was permanently employed on June 21, 1986, and whose competence in the safe administration of ionizing radiation was affirmed, in writing, by a VA licensed physician not later than January 1, 1987, is considered fully qualified. These employees may be promoted, changed to lower grade, or reassigned within the GS-0647 occupational series. Any employee initially retained in this manner who leaves this job series loses protected status and must meet the full requirements in effect at the time of reentry.

Grade Determination

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

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.

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 (*)

1. *Ability to balance the needs of patients and staff while still performing complex scans and procedures.
2. Knowledge of techniques for gathering relevant information from the medical record, significant others, and health care providers.
3. *Ability to assess factors that may contraindicate the procedure.
4. Knowledge of basic first aid and basic life support practices related to radiography.
5. Knowledge of physical assessment, aseptic techniques, intravenous methods and techniques and universal precautions.
6. Knowledge of pre-procedural, procedural, and post-procedural care of patients.

Preferred Experience

See Additional Information

Reference

For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/

The full performance level of this vacancy is 09.

Physical Requirements

Heavy Lifting (45 lbs. and over); Heavy Carrying (45 lbs. and over); Straight Pulling (up to 1 hour); Pushing (1 - 2 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (up to 3 hours); Standing (up to 3 hours); Repeated bending (up to 1 hour); Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16"; Hearing (aid permitted).