Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (Interventional Radiography)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Fredericksburg (VA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Fredericksburg, VA seeks a Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (IR) to function as Advanced DRT in Interventional Radiology.

The role supports highly specialized angiography and invasive procedures, working under radiologist supervision. Candidates must meet VA education/certification requirements, be proficient in radiologic tech standards, and able to train junior staff.

Qualifications

• Requires ARRT (R) certification in radiologic technology.
• Education: 24-month post-high school radiologic tech program, JRCERT accredited.
• May qualify via Grandfathering provision for VA employees.
• English proficiency and U.S. citizenship as required.

Responsibilities

• Perform IR imaging including angiography/venography.
• Assist angiography practitioner in complex procedures.
• Operate imaging equipment with radiation safety.
• Prepare sterile trays and ensure contamination prevention.
• Train and coordinate lower-graded technologists.
• Register and manage radiology orders in CPRS.
• Maintain knowledge of IR policies and procedures.
• Work Schedule: Mon-Fri 8:00 am - 4:30 pm.

Skills

Interventional radiography

Vascular anatomy knowledge

PACS proficiency

Sterile technique

Patient assessment

Contrast media administration

Education

Certificate/associate degree in diagnostic radiologic technology (JRCERT accredited)

Tools

Digital subtraction angiography equipment

PACS

IR fluoroscopy equipment

Job description

Summary

This Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (DRT) - Interventional Radiography (IR) - position is assigned to the Fredericksburg - Virginia - Radiology Service; Interventional Radiology section. The DRT (IR) employee at this level is fully functional as an Advanced DRT and can carry out the assigned tasks independently. Assists the angiography practitioner in conducting highly specialized/complex and invasive diagnostic and therapeutic angiography and interventional radiology procedures.

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) - and 7407(d)
• Education: Completion of a full-time training course of at least 24 months in duration (or the 2 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)
• Licensure/Certification: All applicants must be certified in general radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology - Radiography (ARRT) (R)
• 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 Requirement: At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level of GS-8 - directly related to the position being filled that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level
• Interventional Radiography (IR)
• Technologists working in this special assignment may function as vascular interventional (VI) - cardiac interventional (Cl) and/or cardiovascular-interventional (CV) technologists which use specialized equipment to perform diagnostic angiographic procedures and complex vascular and nonvascular interventional and therapeutic procedures
• This specialty requires additional knowledge of vascular systems and major vessel anatomy
• The technologist must be knowledgeable in the specialized equipment employed for digital subtraction systems and interventional procedures
• The technologist administers contrast media under the supervision of the staff radiologist and confers with the radiologist to establish requirements regarding contrast agents - vital signs - medications - and physiologic monitoring to perform procedures
• IR technologist must be knowledgeable in digital imagining and PACS
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above - candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSA's
• 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
• 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
• 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-09
• Physical Requirements: : The physical demands of the work includes: Heavy lifting - 45 pounds and over
• moderate carrying - 15-44 pounds
• pushing up to 4 hours
• reaching above shoulder
• use of fingers - good dexterity (both hands required)
• prolonged walking - prolonged standing
• repeated bending
• ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20
• ability to distinguish basic colors
• hearing (aid permitted)
• speed in working
• and emotional stability
• Must have the ability to stand and work while wearing a lead apron for possibly long periods of time.

Duties

• VA Careers - Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist: https://youtube.com/embed/I-4ku5UMvWM Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties include but are not limited to the following: Accurately operates a wide variety of imaging equipment to obtain examinations of acceptable quality - utilizing the least amount of radiation to obtain quality imaging for diagnosis and localization purposes
• Equipment may include - but is not limited to: fluoroscopy - conventional plain film radiography - tomography - portable radiography - digital radiography - and computed radiography
• Performs all aspects of IR imaging to include: upper and lower extremity - visceral - pulmonary - and carotid/cerebral arteriography and venography
• angioplasty
• stent and IVC filter insertion
• central and peripheral venous access device insertion
• mechanical and pharmacological thrombolysis
• thrombectomies
• biliary and urinary drainage procedures
• percutaneous and trans vascular biopsies
• percutaneous drainages
• facet and joint injections including arthrography
• myelography
• and embolization and hemostasis procedures
• procedures involving radiopharmaceuticals
• New interventional procedures may be added to the procedure list
• Performs exams utilizing surgical sterile techniques
• This requires proper preparation of sterile trays - proper labeling of medications dispensed to sterile trays - knowledge of supplies and specific locations - and assuring measures have been taken to prevent contamination of the patient and equipment Responsible for training - assisting - and coordinating the work of one or more lower- graded technologists
• Technologist is competent and educated in all service policies pertaining to the technologist and their assigned work section
• Maintains knowledge of all department and IR section policies - acknowledging the receipt and understanding of these policies through communication with their direct supervisor Technologist receives and interprets all radiology requests for accuracy - appropriateness
• and date desired and maintains a thorough knowledge of the ordering process in CPRS
• Thoroughly reviews the IR orders screening information for accuracy - noting and researching all questionable information before contacting the patient or performing the exam
• Inputs pertinent information into the designated computer systems and has the knowledge to register - complete - cancel - and edit exams
• Use independent judgment and possesses the ability to vary exams or treatment procedures as needed to compensate for the patient's individual medical conditions and body habitus
• Performs and completes imaging studies within the established guidelines for stat - pre op - urgent - and routine exams
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized 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)
• 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 #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized