Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (MRI)

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Atlanta VA Health Care System, Radiology Service, Magnetic Resonance Imaging section, seeks a Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist specializing in MRI to perform advanced MR procedures in a busy clinical setting.

Requirements include ARRT (R) certification in general radiologic technology, advanced MR certification for MRI duties, U.S. citizenship, and a 24‑month post‑high‑school radiologic technology program (JRCERT accredited).

Qualifications

• US citizenship
• English language proficiency as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), 7407(d)
• Certification in general radiologic technology by ARRT (R) with advanced ARRT for CT/MRI duties as applicable
• Education: 24-month post-high school radiologic technology program, certificate or associate degree, JRCERT-accredited or recognized by the DOE

Responsibilities

• Perform MR imaging with knowledge of superconducting magnets, coils, and contrast media.
• Demonstrate ability to balance patient and staff needs during complex scans.
• Assess contraindications and ensure pre/post-procedural care of patients.
• Maintain ongoing certification and participate in on-the-job training as needed

Skills

English proficiency

Radiologic technology

Education

Certificate/Associate degree in Diagnostic Radiologic Technology

Tools

ARRT Certification (R)

Advanced ARRT MRI/CT certification

Job description

This Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (DRT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MR), position is assigned to the Atlanta VA Health Care System, Radiology Service, within the Magnetic Resonance Imaging section.

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

• Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States.
• English Language Proficiency. DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(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).]

Loss of Credential

An employee in this occupation who fails to obtain certification within two years, or who fails to maintain the required certification must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment.

Grandfathering Provision

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.

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).

Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist, GS-09

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

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 (*):

• *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

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:

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.]

Preferred Experience

2 Years preferred experience.

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 demand of the work may include 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. English Language Proficiency. DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d).