Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (DRT)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Sign-on bonus

Paid time off

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Columbia, SC seeks a Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist to perform radiographic procedures with ARRT certification, maintain safety standards, and support imaging services across standard exams.

The role emphasizes compliance, patient care, and independent practice within the VA system. Qualified applicants will hold ARRT radiography certification, complete a JRCERT-accredited program, and meet English language requirements.

Qualifications

• Current ARRT (R) certification in Radiography.
• Completion of a JRCERT-accredited radiologic technology program.
• English language proficiency requirement.
• Ability to operate independently with advanced certification in CT/MRI/Mammography as applicable.

Responsibilities

• Perform diagnostic radiologic procedures with high quality and efficiency.
• Prepare contrast materials and ensure safe administration under radiologist direction.
• Maintain radiology equipment and ensure calibration per SOPs.
• Document procedures and input pertinent information into the medical record system.
• Provide patient education and ensure safety and infection control standards.

Skills

ARRT Radiography

English proficiency

Patient care

Education

Associate degree in Radiologic Technology

Job description

Summary

A RECRUITMENT/RELOCATION INCENTIVE MAY BE AUTHORIZED FOR HIGHLY QUALIFIED CANDIDATES THIS OPEN & CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT (OCA) - which closes on 9/30/2026. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be on or about 8/20/2026 with subsequent reviews every two weeks as additional vacancies occur or on an as-needed basis - until positions are filled. Please see the "Next Steps" area of the announcement which provides additional information. 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.

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


• English Language Proficiency


• DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d)-and7407(d)


• 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


• 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 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 1 week of full-time credit for each 2 weeks of half-time work


• Grade Determinations: Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist - GS-9 (1) 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 will be appointed to the following assignment: 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 (*): a


• *Ability to balance the needs of patients and staff while still performing complex scans and procedures


• b


• Knowledge of techniques for gathering 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


• f


• Knowledge of pre-procedural - procedural - and post-procedural care of patients


• Preferred experience: Two years of Experience working as a Registered Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist is preferred


• The vacancy is above the full performance GS-9 For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/


• Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting - 45 pounds and over


• moderate carrying - 15-44 pounds - pushing up to 4 hours


• reaching above the shoulder


• use of fingers - good dexterity (both hands required)


• prolonged standing


• repeated bending


• stooping - walking - pushing or pulling with and without assistance from another patient care provider


• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously


• distinguish basic colors


• good hearing (aid permitted)


• good vision


• speed in working and emotional stability


• Must have the ability to wear a Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and an apron for long periods of time.

Duties

• VA Careers - Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist: https://youtube.com/embed/I-4ku5UMvWM Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional DRTs perform at full performance


• DRTs at this level must be qualified to independently provide services in specialized areas of Radiologic technology and/or general radiologic technology services with only oversight or direction for highly complex issues


• List of Functional Requirements: Prepares contrast materials under the direction of the radiologist for the purpose of performing exams requiring injectable solutions such as cystograms - cholangiograms - and for the purpose of performing oral and rectal exams of the GI tract


• (In the case of injected media - a patient consent form must be obtained - when indicated.) Help to maintain effective control of the Radiology department by coordinating - organizing - and executing the work potential to expedite workflow patterns within the department


• Performs all Diagnostic procedures to include all administrative duties associated with each


• Validates all images prior to transmitting them to VistA/VUE Explorer to be interpreted by the professional staff


• Keeps abreast of technological advances in the fields of Radiology


• Successful completion of all required educational classes and successfully receives all Continuing Education Units (CEU'S) as governed by the ARRT - to maintain an Xactive status with the ARRT Society


• Maximize efficiency in the number of exams performed without compromising the quality of patient care


• Performs Diagnostic procedures on a high volume of patients to include outpatients - inpatients - procedures performed with the C-arm in the operating room - fluoroscopic procedures - as well as portable exams


• Assists in the training of rotating x-ray students and technologists


• Assists in training volunteers working within the department


• Responsible for explaining exams to competent patients in terms the patient will comprehend as well as understanding potential hazards that may occur as a result of the exam


• Depending on procedure can recognize allergic reactions and initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation


• Properly label all images with Right or Left markers


• Practices radiation safety to reduce exposure to patients - staff - and self


• Receives and interprets all radiology requests


• Inputs pertinent radiology information into computer


• Responsible for making routine calibrations on equipment


• Timely sets up RMD in preparation for a procedure as outlined in the equipment Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)


• All other duties as assigned


• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 7:30am - 4:00pm when assigned to Surgery Rotation - 8:00am - 4:30pm. - with Required to rotate weekends and holidays


• Work Schedule is subject to change based on agency need


• Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases 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) 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 #: 61244F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized