Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist-Interventional

Summary
The incumbent's principal responsibilities are to perform Diagnostic Radiologic Technology(R) and lnterventional Radiology (IR) procedures under general supervision for the patients of the VA NWI-Health Care System as well as duties necessary for the functionality of the imaging department.
This job is open to

• The public
  U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Videos
Duties

• Transfer patients from stretcher or wheelchair to radiographic, CT or IR exam table and assist with the transporting of patients to other areas of the hospital.
• Prepares pre-procedural activities including room preparation, arrangement of equipment and material needed for patient procedures.
• The incumbent will have a knowledge of ultrasound machine operation, sterile prep of probes and cleaning probes.
• The incumbent will have knowledge of lab specimen and prep protocols.
• Provides training to student radiographers from affiliated programs and facilitates the attainment of established program objectives.
• Administers contrast material under the direction of the radiologist, according to protocols.
• Utilizes PICC lines, central lines, mid-lines, infusaports or lines placed by interventional radiologist per device guidelines for the administration of IV contrast.
• Follows prescribed protocols required to independently perform simple to complex procedures.
• Observes patients during procedures and reports complications or unusual events. Assists nursing staff monitoring vitals during IR exams and reports complications or unusual events.
• Knowledge of first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation technique and basic life support procedures for all patients.
• Patient will prepare room, equipment and material needed for all patient procedures; sets up sterile tray maintaining sterile technique for exam table and supplies, properly labels all contrast and other medication being used for the procedure, and organizes all necessary supplies (catheters, balloons, stents, etc.) for each case.
• Patient prep (site prep, shaving, distal pulses) and draping.
• Will scrub in to assist lnterventional Radiologist with complex examinations, assisting with handling of required sterile wires, catheters, and supplies, while operating the table and x-ray producing equipment.
• Utilizes knowledge of applicable current procedural terminology {CPT) codes for each exam performed.
• Incumbent completes fluoroscopy training and CT dose reduction training in talent management system (TMS) annually.
• Processes images with digital image acquisition and processing.
• Performs computer work and required forms associated with patient exams, credit of patient visits, complications and/or quality improvement activities of the Imaging Service Line.
• Provides excellent customer service to patient during all interactions.
• Works with escort, ward secretaries, nursing personnel, etc. to ensure proper hand-off of patients between departments/units and unified coordination of care.
• Maintains a clean work area and adequate level of supplies within the assigned rooms.
• Practices hospital safety, radiologic safety, infection control and universal precautions in accordance with age and/or gender specific departmental procedures.
• Adheres to hospital infection control and safety policies/techniques with emphasis on sterile technique, storage of sterile supplies, the disposal of bodily fluids and sharps.
• Responsible for the quality assurance of images (positions/label/technique/network information) prior to transmission to the PACS network. The incumbent assists in transmission of images to off-site locations.
• The incumbent maintains the equipment/workstations as directed by the manufacturer and reports equipment problems through the appropriate processes.
• Performs a variety of department quality assurance/quality control duties.
• Provides education to patients and their families on Imaging procedures.
• Receptions and clerical duties related to patient care including, but not limited to management of images to outside with appointment information and preparing schedules for futures appointments.
• Functions as file room support, checking in patients, burning compact discs (CD), importing outside imaging studies into PACS, and mailing CDs with reports to outside providers.
• Basic Knowledge of functionality of PACS system.
• Technologist will train in computed tomography (CT) to perform non-contrast heads in support of the hospitals Stroke protocol.
• The incumbent will perform irregular hour emergency procedures by participating in the IR On-call pool as designated in the call schedule as determined by the supervisor.
• Incumbent will be assigned Holiday Call based on a rotational schedule.

Work Schedule: Varied day tours, Monday-Friday with call
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
Requirements
Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

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.
• 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).
• 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. Exception for Non-Certified, Entry Level Candidates. Non-certified DRTs who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for ARRT (R) certification may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate DRT under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B). The appointing official may waive the requirement of certification for a period not to exceed two years for a DRT that provides care under the supervision of a certified DRT at or above the full performance level. This exception only applies at the GS-5 entry level technician.
• English Language Proficiency: DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and7407(d).
• 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.

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).
Grade Determinations:
Diagnostic Radiologic Technician, GS-5
Experience or Education: None beyond the basic requirements.
Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist, GS-6
Experience or Education: At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-5, or the successful completion of one full academic year of graduate education leading to a degree in radiography or other directly related field to diagnostic radiology/imaging.
AND
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
(a) Knowledge of basic technique standards for minimum radiographic exposure.
(b) Knowledge of anatomy and positioning.
(c) Knowledge of all patient safety procedures.
(d) Knowledge of radiographic producing equipment.
(e) Ability to learn basic computer functions.
Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist, GS-7
Experience or Education: At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-6, that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level; or the successful completion of one full academic year of graduate education leading to a degree in radiography or other directly related field to diagnostic radiology/imaging; or successful completion of an advanced registry program, with certification, in addition to a 4-year baccalaureate degree program in radiography or other directly related field to diagnostic radiology/imaging. Education may relate to the duties of a specific position or to the occupation but must be appropriate for the position being filled.
AND
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
(a) Knowledge of the technical adequacy of the digital image, including the ability to adjust the image quality in the digital system.
(b) Knowledge of different contrast material required for the requested study.
(c) Knowledge of radiation protection standards, minimum radiographic exposure techniques, appropriate beam limitation to anatomical area, and employing lead shielding when performing standard radiographic and fluoroscopic procedures.
(d) Knowledge of computed radiography, CR readers and Digital Imaging systems.
(e) Knowledge of PACS and basic computer skills.
Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist, GS-8
Experience: At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-7, that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level.
AND
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
(a) Ability to check system for operation and assess acceptable performance based on established guidelines.
(b) Knowledge of calibration parameters and the ability to make adjustments as needed.
(c) Knowledge of patient's clinical record, diagnosis, and laboratory results.
(d) Ability to monitor patient's physiologic changes during the procedure and keep the radiologist informed.
(e) Skill in using tact, diplomacy, and courtesy in dealings with the customer base, patients, staff, family, visitors, and volunteers.
(f) Knowledge of anatomy and physiology, and cross-sectional anatomy, recognizing unusual images, and determining proper positioning to best demonstrate areas of interest
References: VA Handbook 5005/119, PART II, APPENDIX G25
Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of the evaluation or examination.
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-5 to GS-8.
Education
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application.