Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

US Department of Veterans Affairs; Jacksonville (FL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

EDRP – Education Debt ReductionProgram

Job summary

The US Department of Veterans Affairs seeks a Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (MRI) to join the radiology team in Jacksonville, FL. You will perform MR imaging with a focus on safety, quality, and patient care, using PACS for image handling.

The role requires ARRT MR (and/or general radiography) certification and completion of an approved radiologic technology program. EDRP eligibility and loan repayment support may be available per VA policy.

Qualifications

• Completion of educational program in radiologic technology with ARRT MR and/or general radiography certification.
• Knowledge of safety standards, contrast media, and imaging protocols.
• Familiarity with PPE, sterile technique, and radiologic procedures.

Responsibilities

• Perform diagnostic MR imaging with appropriate safety precautions.
• Assess patient suitability and contraindications for MRI procedures.
• Operate PACS for image capture and review.

Skills

Patient care

Record review

Contraindication assessment

First aid & life support

Physical assessment

Aseptic techniques

IV techniques

Universal precautions

Pre/post-procedural care

Education

ARRT MR certification

ARRT R certification

Certificate/associate degree in diagnostic radiologic technology

Tools

PACS

MRI hardware & coils

Job description

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply. 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:

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MR). This specialty modality requires additional knowledge of superconducting magnets, the physics of superconducting magnets, and how they relate to the human anatomy in medical imaging. The technologist must be educated in the safety factors governing a magnetic environment that patients, visitors, and equipment enter. The practitioner must have specialized knowledge of cross sectional anatomy and how it relates to the soft tissues and vessels of the human body. The technologist must also have specialized knowledge in the radio-frequency surface coils required for each specific anatomical area to be imaged. This assignment may also perform basic magnetic resonance safety program duties. Technologists must be knowledgeable in contrast media, power injectors, and PACS. DRT assignments that include performance of independent duties in this subspecialty require advanced ARRT (MR) certification.

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:

Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

Certification-Documentation required:

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 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Advanced certification indicates that the technologist can operate independently and has demonstrated specific clinical competency in the appropriate specialty and taken and passed the designated examination.

Education-Submit documentation:

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).

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.

Grandfathering Provision:

All persons employed in VHA as a DRT on the effective date (12/13/2019) 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.

Grade Determinations

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 Grade Requirement

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

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

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

Assignments.

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. 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 technologist at least 25% of the time.

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-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-9.

Physical Requirements:

The work requires long periods of standing and walking. There is some bending, lifting, and carrying of light items such as CR film cassettes. There is occasional moderate exertion such as lifting multi-exposure film cassettes or assisting other technicians in lifting and positioning patients. Heavy lifting of totally incapacitated patients is done only with the help of other employees.