LEAD DIAGNOSTIC RADIOLOGY TECHNOLOGIST (MRI)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A federal healthcare agency is seeking a Lead MRI Technologist to provide technical leadership and manage workflow within the MRI section. The role involves maintaining imaging standards, troubleshooting MRI equipment, and supervising patient care. The ideal candidate will have ARRT certification and training in diagnostic radiologic technology. This position offers a structured work schedule from 10 am to 6:30 pm, Monday to Friday, and requires excellent interpersonal skills for collaboration across departments.

Qualifications

• Must be a United States citizen.
• Certified in general radiologic technology by ARRT.
• Completion of a 24-month training course in diagnostic radiologic technology.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and troubleshooting for MRI equipment.
• Direct patient flow and ensure quality care.
• Assist in training technologists and staff.
• Monitor and ensure compliance with safety practices.

Skills

Technical leadership

MRI equipment troubleshooting

Patient care

Training staff

Interpersonal skills

Education

Full-time training in diagnostic radiologic technology

ARRT certification in Radiography

Tools

MRI systems

Siemens MRI systems

Job description

Overview

The Lead MRI Technologist provides technical leadership, workflow coordination, and advanced clinical expertise within the MRI section. The incumbent serves as the primary technical resource for MRI technologists, ensures adherence to imaging standards, and supports efficient day-to-day operations. The Lead MRI Technologist works closely with radiologists, supervisors, and multidisciplinary clinical services to deliver safe, timely, and high-quality MRI imaging.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily technical leadership and serve as the primary point of contact for troubleshooting MRI equipment, coils, software, protocols, and workflow issues.
• Direct patient flow to ensure efficient, systematic, and continuous throughput while maintaining quality patient care.
• Assist in the training of technologists, students, new hires, and personnel requiring performance improvement or remediation.
• Report competency concerns to the MRI Supervisor.
• Participate in rotating after-hours on-call schedule for emergent MRI exams; assist with protocol creation, revision, and implementation in collaboration with radiologists and supervisory staff.
• Monitor image quality and ensure compliance with all technical standards, MRI safety practices, and departmental policies.
• Help manage add-on requests, acute scheduling challenges, and urgent cases to minimize delays.
• Oversee or assist with inventory management of coils, supplies, contrast media, and MRI accessories.
• Ensure MRI safety screening, documentation, exam forms, and EMR entries are accurate and complete.
• Assist with incident reviews, safety event documentation, image quality audits, and workflow improvement initiatives.
• Support supervisory staff with performance feedback, competency assessments, and policy enforcement as delegated.
• Manage technologist timekeeping in VATAS and ensure accurate reporting.
• Oversee image corrections and ensure proper documentation and routing.
• Assist in coordinating scheduled downtime, preventive maintenance, and system upgrades.
• Perform MRI exams efficiently while maintaining flexibility for emergency and high-priority patients.
• Consult with radiologists on non-standard or complex exams to determine technical factors, positioning, and protocol adjustments.
• Communicate with radiologists, referring providers, and off-site radiologists for after-hours emergent exams.
• Regularly access the electronic medical record to review orders, verify labs, document contraindications, post notes, and flag irregular or unsafe orders.
• Coordinate with Cardiology for pacemaker and ICD imaging, Neurology for DBS systems, Anesthesia for sedated cases, and Interventional Radiology for MSK arthrograms.
• Perform the full range of MRI studies, including cardiac, neuro, body, breast, MSK, prostate, vascular, and research imaging. At least 25% of workload should include complex examinations such as cardiac MRI, prostate, breast, and research protocols.
• Proficient in cardiac MRI, stress cardiac imaging, perfusion, gating, and use of MRI-compatible monitoring systems and infusion pumps.
• Perform advanced abdominal, pelvic, neuro, and vascular protocols including spectroscopy, perfusion, MRCP, enterography, MRA, MRV, and spine imaging.
• Conduct daily QA/QC checks on scanners and coils; monitor hardware and software performance and promptly report malfunctions.

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 CT, MRI, or Mammography duties performed independently, as applicable
• Education: Completion of a full-time training course of at least 24 months in a post-high school diagnostic radiologic technology program, evidenced by a certificate or an associate degree, accredited by JRCERT or other DOE-recognized accrediting agencies
• Grandfathering provisions apply for current VHA employees in this occupation meeting the criteria

Experience & competencies

• Experience at least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower GS level, directly related to the position
• Lead DRT responsibilities for a group of DRTs at GS-9 level and below
• Ability to provide feedback to supervisor on technical aspects of work
• Ability to resolve informal employee complaints
• Ability to monitor and report on the status and progress of work and adjust workload per procedures
• Ability to perform general and specialized diagnostic radiologic procedures in advanced levels of complex treatment situations

Preferred Experience

• Experience with Siemens MRI systems
• Experience coordinating workflows, training staff, and assisting with departmental operations
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to work collaboratively across departments
• Experience performing QA/QC procedures, coil testing, and troubleshooting equipment

Notes

• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: Lifting up to 45 lbs or more, pushing/pulling stretchers, standing/walking for long periods, repetitive bending/reaching/twisting, manual dexterity for MRI systems
• Open continuous announcement until 31 July 2026; qualified applicants will be considered as vacancies become available
• Work Schedule: 10am-6:30pm, Monday through Friday, with on-call coverage. Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized