Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (MRI)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The Diagnostic Imaging Service at the VA Boston Healthcare System seeks a Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (MRI). The full-time radiologic technologist will perform complex MRI procedures, ensure patient safety, and coordinate with radiologists for immediate attention when needed.

Applicants must hold ARRT credentials (MRI-eligible), complete a JRCERT-accredited program, and demonstrate proficiency in cross-sectional anatomy and contrast media handling. VA benefits apply.

Qualifications

• ARRT certification required; advanced MR-ARRT certification for CT/MRI/Mammo as applicable.
• Completion of a 24-month radiologic technology program (certificate or associate degree) accredited by JRCERT or DOE-recognized.
• English proficiency in speaking and writing as required by policy.

Responsibilities

• Prepare MRI magnet for daily operation and ensure system readiness.
• Maintain cleanliness and supplies in the MRI work area.
• Observe safety guidelines for MRI environment and coordinate with radiologists.
• Set up patients and select proper technical factors for imaging across MRI exams.
• Monitor and document exam data for permanent record.
• Coordinate daily schedule and communicate with physicians for next-day availability.

Skills

ARRT Certification

Advanced ARRT MR certification

MRI procedures

PACS familiarity

Education

JRCERT-accredited radiologic technology program (certificate/associate degree)

Tools

PACS

Job description

Summary

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

Qualifications

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)
• NOTE: Assignment to the clinical program director requires meeting JRCERT minimum educational standards as noted in the assignment description.] English Language Proficiency: DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d)
• Grade Determinations: GS 9 Experience: At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS 8) - directly related to the position being filled that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level
• 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
• Assignment: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• 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
• 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
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Light to Moderate lifting and carrying - up to 44 lbs
• Limited to 35lbs
• with straight pulling
• pushing
• reaching at and above shoulders
• use of both hands and fingers required
• walking and/or standing (6- 8hours)
• crawling
• kneeling
• ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Physical Environment: Standard: The size and layout of the facility must be adequate to allow for patient comfort - privacy and special needs as well as fostering appropriate workflow
• This includes areas for imaging exams - control rooms - processing - image interpretation - patient changing - recovery/post-procedural care - waiting - administration - storage - record filing - medical physics services - engineering services - and staff
• Hospital Care setting.

Duties

• The Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (MRI) position is in the Diagnostic Imaging Service at the VA Boston Healthcare System located at the Jamaica Plain - MA location
• This position is full time at 40 hours per week
• The DRT is trained to work in one or more difficult and complex modalities performing procedures related to these modalities as well as providing general diagnostic procedures in a therapeutic setting
• Duties include - but are not limited to: Prepares magnet for daily operation - brings system up - checks all self calibrating parameters
• Maintains the cleanliness of his/her assigned work area - maintains necessary supplies in the work area
• Reports all shortages to the supervisor - as well as any equipment failure
• Observes patient safety guidelines as set forth in department and Medical Center policies and procedures
• Monitors all equipment brought into the MRI environment to ensure it is MRI sage or MRI compatible
• Identifies administrative - clinical or mechanical problems - and defines solutions
• Performs assigned duties with no supervision during irregular hours to insure adequate patient examinations
• Advises the Radiologist of those examinations which require immediate attention while the patient is still undergoing the examination
• Practices sterile technique to prevent contamination
• Programs technical factors for pulse sequences - slice profiles - run-offs - cardiac imaging
• Responsible for setting up and positioning patients - provides immobilization devices - selects proper technical factors on an individual patient basis and operates the equipment
• Performs IV insertion - prepares IV contrast material and administers contrast material agents under guidance of a radiologist/physician
• Interacts with patients - explains exam procedures - positions patients within the scanner - monitors patients during all phases of the examination - and records all patient exam information for permanent record
• Monitor the examination by checking computations - performances and results of the selected parameters - to obtainthe best diagnostic computer data and images
• Coordinates daily schedule and consults with hospital physicians - clinical and administrative personnel pertaining to the next day and future day's availability for patient examinations
• Maintains inventory of lab - medical - and computer supplies and initiates procedures to replenish stock and to receive stock supplies
• Work Schedule: Full-time Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:00pm or Monday- Friday 8:00-430pm and participates in on-call rotation
• Compressed/Flexible: Not authorized Telework: Not authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 906190 Recruitment/Relocation Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact Chapman [e-mail] - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more 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)
• 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)Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• 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)
• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Notifications: This position is Not in a Bargaining Unit
• This position is in the Excepted Service
• This position is covered by a special salary rate
• The incumbent may be required to travel to other VA campuses and CBOC's
• Current and former Federal employees may submit copies of their most recent SF-50 - (Notice of Personnel Action)
• The SF-50 must identify the position title - series - grade - step - tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted)
• In some cases - more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held
• No award SF50's will be accepted
• Narrative responses to the knowledge - skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment.