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. 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.

Duties

Employee performs as a fully functional diagnostic radiologic technologist with the added specialization in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MR). Employee performs general diagnostic radiography of the entire body. Performs Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the body. The technologist Performs Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) of the head, neck, spine, chest, body and extremities. These exams are performed with and without use of IV and oral contrast materials. The purpose of these exams and duties are to provide diagnostic studies to contribute to an accurate diagnosis and treatment of patients. Protocol evaluation to ensure providers are ordering the correct exam for the indication. Sets up and positions patients, provides immobilization devices, selects proper technical factors on an individual basis. New equipment will be evaluated, and new methods will be compared with existing methods. Help to develop and maintain current and new protocols on imaging in the Department. Performs technical operation and general technical maintenance of the computer, disk drives, calibration and troubleshooting of malfunctions in the equipment used, notifies the supervisor. Review of Patient charting information for surgically implanted devices, kidney function, contrast allergy, contrast dosing, active clinical warnings. Coordination of care with ancillary departments such as ICU, Anesthesia, Interventional Radiology, Arrhythmia. Specialized imaging of the prostate for Urology Biopsy procedures with specialized MRI Protocol. Specialized Brain scans for Surgical assistance removal of brain tumors. Requires explicit placement and prep of the patient before MRI. Preparation and administration with assistance from Radiologist for Oral Sedation. MRI's of the head, neck, abdomen, pelvis, extremities, and thorax. The Technologist must have the ability to manipulate scanner sequences to decrease metal bloom artifact and accommodate restrictive SAR guidelines due to implanted devices. Knowledge of radiation protection standards, devices and techniques, including concepts of accumulated dosage, dose monitoring, and genetic changes. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30 am to 4:00pm. Work schedule may include weekends and Federal holidays, at the discretion of management, to meet operational needs of the service. Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000/DRT Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact Rachel Cravens, [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance.

Requirements

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) duties as well as magnetic resonance (MR) performed independently: 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. 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). English Language Proficiency. DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). 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. Grade Determinations (GS10): Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS9) level directly related to the position being filled that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level. Advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist: Employees are trained to work in one or more difficult and complex modalities performing procedures related to these modalities as well as performing general diagnostic procedures. At this grade level, any assignment in a single modality must demonstrate significant complexity. Such assignments are unique, perhaps with expert specialization in complex areas of radiologic technology, Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) regulations, and intermediate QM type duties within the program. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): Knowledge of radiation protection standards, devices and techniques, including concepts of accumulated dosage, dose monitoring, and genetic changes. ii. Ability to utilize advanced imaging software that supports complex imaging programs and recognize changes in equipment and procedures that might result in increased exposures, and ability to recommend methods to prevent such exposures. iii. Knowledge of basic physics including concepts of energy, electric power, magnetic fields, and properties of x-ray, to understand the operation of the equipment. iv. Knowledge and skill in positioning of patients for a wide variety of highly complex imaging (CT, MRI, IR, ultrasound, mammography) studies. Assignments. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MR): 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.] References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G25, Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist, GS-0647, Dated December 13, 2019. The actual grade at which an applicant will be selected for this vacancy is GS-10. Physical Requirements: The physical demands of the work require long periods of standing, walking, and sitting. Work involves constant bending, lifting, twisting, and carrying moderately heavy items such as cassettes. Use of mobile x-ray and Ultrasound units in the main hospital and in the operating room requires twisting, turning to manipulate the x-ray tube and or ultrasound unit. The work requires pushing wheelchair and stretcher patients. Positioning patients who are unconscious of disabled requires considerable effort and working in awkward positions. Lifting of totally incapacitated patients is done only with the help of other employees.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address John J Pershing VA Medical Center 1500 North Westwood Boulevard Poplar Bluff, MO 63901 US
• Name: David Baldridge
• Phone: (573) 712-7485
• Email: [email protected]