Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (MRI)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Boston, MA seeks a Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (MRI) to perform advanced imaging procedures and deliver high-quality patient care in a fast-paced clinical setting.

The role requires ARRT MR certification, strong knowledge of MRI safety, and the ability to operate complex imaging equipment, while coordinating with radiologists and clinical staff to ensure optimal patient outcomes.

Qualifications

• Completion of a full-time training course of at least 24 months in radiologic technology, evidenced by a certificate or an associate degree, accredited by JRCERT or equivalent
• English language proficiency as required by VA policy

Responsibilities

• Prepare MRI magnet for daily operation and ensure system readiness
• Maintain cleanliness and supply levels in the MRI work area
• Observe patient safety guidelines and MRI safety/compliance
• Operate and position patients, select appropriate technical factors for imaging
• Monitor and document exam data for permanent records and coordinate with physicians

Skills

Clinical proficiency

Patient care

Safety protocols

Communication

Adaptability

Education

JRCERT-accredited program

Associate degree or certificate in radiologic technology

Tools

PACS

IV contrast administration equipment

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.