Summary

Incumbent operates independently and without direct supervision as the technologist responsible for the coordination and performance of angiographic procedures - complex vascular - non-vascular and therapeutic procedures. These exams are performed with and without contrast materials. The purpose of these exams is to achieve diagnostic studies so that proper diagnosis and treatment will be delivered.

Qualifications

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:

• 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: 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).] 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
• 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)
• 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
• For employees who do not meet all of the basic requirements in this standard - but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it - the following provisions apply: (1) DRTs that require a certification - may be reassigned - promoted up to and including the full performance (journeyman) level - or changed to lower grade within the occupation - but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions
• (2) DRTs that require a certification only at higher grade levels must meet the certification requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels
• (3) DRTs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed - on a temporary or permanent basis - until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard
• (4) DRTs initially grandfathered into this occupation - who subsequently obtain additional education and/or certification that meet all of the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation
• (5) Employees who are retained as a DRT under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry as a DRT
• Interventional Radiography (IR)
• Technologists working in this special assignment function as cardiovascular-interventional (CV) technologists which use specialized equipment to perform diagnostic angiographic procedures and complex vascular and nonvascular interventional and therapeutic procedures
• This specialty requires additional knowledge of vascular systems and major vessel anatomy
• The technologist must be knowledgeable in the specialized equipment employed for digital subtraction systems and interventional procedures
• The technologist administers contrast media under the supervision of the staff radiologist and confers with the radiologist to establish requirements regarding contrast agents - vital signs - medications - and physiologic monitoring to perform procedures
• IR technologist must be knowledgeable in digital imagining and PACS
• Grade Determinations: Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist - 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
• At the GS-8 level - DRTs serve as staff DRTs and are qualified to independently provide services in specialized areas of radiologic technology and/or general radiologic technology services with only occasional oversight or direction for highly complex issues
• [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 (*): i
• *Ability to balance the needs of patients and staff while still performing complex scans and procedures
• ii
• Knowledge of techniques for gathering relevant information from the medical record - significant others - and health care providers
• iii
• *Ability to assess factors that may contraindicate the procedure
• iv
• Knowledge of basic first aid and basic life support practices related to radiography
• v
• Knowledge of physical assessment - aseptic techniques - intravenous methods and techniques and universal precautions
• vi
• 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/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is the GS-09
• Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting - 45 pounds and over
• moderate carrying - 15-44 pounds - pushing up to 4 hours
• reaching above the shoulder
• use of fingers - good dexterity (both hands required)
• prolonged standing
• repeated bending
• ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• distinguish basic colors
• good hearing (aid permitted)
• good vision
• speed in working and emotional stability
• Must have the ability to stand and work while wearing a lead apron for possibly long periods of time.

Duties

• Major Duties Include: Performs procedures within the Diagnostic and Interventional section which require the use of needles - syringes - isovue - Omnipaque and other contrast mediums
• Performs Diagnostic exams - Portable exams and rotate duties as assigned in the Operating Room
• Performs as a scrub technologist or circulating technologist while assisting the Interventional Radiologist and have knowledge of sterile technique
• Technologist is knowledgeable in the use of specialized equipment employed for digital subtraction systems and Interventional Procedures
• Technologist has knowledge of Vascular systems and major vessels
• Prior to any patient receiving treatment at VA Medical Center - staff must validate patient identification by checking the VIC card and asking the patient to state two full identifiers: Prepares contrast material under the direction of the radiologist for the purpose of performing procedures/exams requiring injectable solutions such as Angiograms - cystograms - cholangiograms - Fistulagrams - arthrograms - lumbar punctures and myelograms
• Prepares contrast material under the direction of the Radiologist for the purpose of performing oral and rectal exams of the GI tract
• Ensures that all documentation required for the completion of exams is done in VUE Explorer/CPRS
• Receives and interprets request for IR and general radiologic studies
• Inputs pertinent radiology information into computer
• Communicates effectively with the Radiologist and IR staff to establish requirements with reference to contrast agents - vital signs - medications - variety of catheters - guide wires - and stents needed to perform invasive procedure
• Help to maintain effective control of the Radiology Department by coordinating - organizing - and executing the work potential to expedite workflow patterns with the department
• Inventory Control: Ensures that adequate quantities of supplies for general radiology and Interventional Radiology are available to meet workload demands
• Order supplies as needed or requested by the Interventional Radiologist
• Equipment Maintenance/Repair: Exercises extreme caution in the handling and safeguard of all radiation producing equipment
• Must recognize and report major equipment malfunctions within a timely manner
• Keeps abreast of technological advances in the field of Radiology
• Successfully completes all required educational classes and successfully receives all Continuing Education Units (CEU's) as governed by the ARRT - to maintain an active status with the ARRT Society
• Maintain current BLS certification and complete all required TMS courses in a timely manner
• Maximize efficiency in the number of exams performed without compromising the quality of patient care
• Exercises caution in the handling and safeguarding of all radiation producing equipment
• Must recognize and report major equipment malfunctions within a timely manner
• Receives and interprets all radiology requests inputs pertinent radiology information into computer
• Responsible for making equipment calibrations
• Participates in annual training provided in the set-up - use - re-processing - and maintenance of unit/department -specific Reusable Medical Device (RMD)
• Timely sets up RMD in preparation for a procedure as outlined in the equipment Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)
• After each Fluoroscopic examination - appropriately records the Fluoroscopy dose in VISTA - the dose logbooks - and places Fluoroscopy notes in CPRS
• For IR cases - the fluoro dose is placed on the images prior to sending them to VUE
• All other duties as assigned
• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 7:30am-4:00pm
• Rotating Weekends/Holidays - 8:00am - 4:00pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases 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) Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 544-61246F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized