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

Duties include but are not limited to: Performs Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) of the head, neck spine, chest and body, while applying elements of the As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) Principle. These exams are performed with and without use of contrast materials. Performs routine administrative procedures for the purpose of maintaining accurate imaging records. Receives and interprets all radiology requests. Inputs pertinent radiology information into computer. Schedules appointments, processes exam requests, and registers patient exams, cancels and case edits exams in the Radiology Information System (RIS). Prepares contrast materials under the direction of the radiologist for the purpose of performing MRI exams. Confers with radiologists to determine requirements of non-standard exams. Determines technical factors, positioning, number and thickness of scans, etc., to produce quality diagnostic MRI exams. Ability to vary tests or treatment procedures as needed to compensate for patient's individual medical conditions and body habitus. Assures that MRI patients are screened in advance for any contraindicating conditions per Imaging Service policy. Explains examinations to be performed to patients so they understand the purpose of the study as well as any requirements of the patients, so they are thoroughly understood and the hazards, if any are possible. May be required to monitor vital signs, recognize allergic reactions and initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The technologist will confirm completion of patient safety screening, confirming responses and initialing patient screening forms. Confirm completion and documents on the spot Level II Safety Training of non-imaging personnel entering the MRI suite. Maintains control of/ restricting access to MRI Level 4. Participates in MRI quarterly Fire drills and Cardiac arrest drills, reinforcing technologists' role in removing patient from magnet and transferring them to corridor for assistance by non-imaging personnel Properly identifies patients with at least 2 patient identifiers in accordance with VAPORHCS policy, confirms identity on order, and properly identifies patient images. This is essential so that mistaken identity of images to patients does not occur. Accurately utilizes PACS for acquisition, transmission, storage, and review of images, performs QC of all completed studies to ensure timely and accurate interpretation by the Radiologist. Maintains a low repeat rate of examinations, per rating period, due to technical factors within the technologist's control, such as utilization of imaging equipment, positioning, incomplete imaging of anatomy, failure to follow protocol, unacceptable for interpretation because of wrong technique positioning.. Responsible for stocking and inventory of all MRI and general imaging supplies and related material. Reviews new developments in MRI and general imaging and recommends to supervisor those that would improve the operation of the section. Is continually on the alert to improve quality of examinations utilizing the new technologies available. The technologist performs all Quality Control tests required by equipment manufacturer, Joint Commission, and the MRSO documenting them appropriately and reporting any abnormality or malfunction to the supervisor, Biomedical Engineering, or MRSO. Liaison between radiologists and requesting providers to ensure more complicated exams are correctly completed. Teaches and supervises 2-3 radiology students rotating through MRI at any given time. Rotates on call and is the subject matter expert in obtaining appropriate information and imaging of emergent exams after hours when limited staff is available. Leads the training of new MRI technicians and provide less experienced technologists the training and guidance necessary for their development in becoming a more proficient and expert MRI technologist. Supports NIH funded grant research protocol refinement for Multiple Sclerosis and others. Research scans must have the same parameters each time to ensure results are measured accurately. These are often non-veteran population of patients. Participates in quality improvement programs that evaluate technical quality of images, completeness of examinations, and adherence to protocols. Compares facility quality improvement standards to external metrics, such as accreditation criteria, evidence-based literature, or accepted guideline Work Schedule: To be determined by Service/Supervisor (May include nights) Telework: Not Eligible Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized. (This position is eligible for up to a 20% Recruitment/Relocation Incentive) EDRP Authorized: Contact V20compensation, the EDRP Coordinators for questions/assistance. Learn more Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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. Education: Have a Master's degree in social work form a school of social work fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Graduate of schools of social work that are in candidacy status do no meet this requirement until the school of social work is fully accredited. A doctoral degree in social work may not be substituted for the master's degree of social work. Verification of the degree can be made by going to the CSWE website to verify if that social work degree meets the accreditation standards for a master of social work. Licensure: Senior social workers must be licensed or certified by a state at the advanced practice level which included an advanced generalist or clinical examination, unless they are grandfathered by the state in which they are licensed to practice at the advanced practice level (except for licenses issued in California, which administers its own clinical examination for advanced practice) and they must be able to provide supervision for licensure. English Language Proficiency. Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). Grade Determinations: Experience/Education: The candidate must have at least two years of experience post advanced practice clinical licensure and should be in a specialized area of social work practice of which, one year must be equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Senior social workers have experience that demonstrates possession of advanced practice skills and judgment. Senior social workers are experts in their specialized area of practice. Senior social workers may have certification or other post-masters training from a nationally recognized professional organization or university that includes a defined curriculum/course of study and internship or equivalent supervised professional experience in a specialty. Licensure/Certification: Senior social workers must be licensed or certified by a state at the advanced practice level which included an advanced generalist or clinical examination, unless they are grandfathered by the state in which they are licensed to practice at the advanced practice level (except for licenses issued in California, which administers its own clinical examination for advanced practice) and they must be able to provide supervision for licensure. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Skill in a range of specialized interventions and treatment modalities used in specialty treatment programs or with special patient populations. This includes individual, group, and/or family counseling or psychotherapy and advanced level psychosocial and/or case management. Ability to incorporate complex multiple causation in differential diagnosis and treatment within approved clinical privileges or scope of practice. Knowledge in developing and implementing methods for measuring effectiveness of social work practice and services in the specialty area, utilizing outcome evaluations to improve treatment services and to design system changes. Ability to provide specialized consultation to colleagues and students on the psychosocial treatment of patients in the service delivery area, as well as role modeling effective social work practice skills. Ability to expand clinical knowledge in the social work profession, and to write policies, procedures, and/or practice guidelines pertaining to the service delivery area. Preferred Experience: Experience working with people who suffer from substance abuse disorders. Experience working with people with complex medical and mental health issues. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G39 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: Light carrying (under 15 pounds), Use of fingers, Walking (1-2 hours), Standing (1-2 hours), Operation of truck or motor vehicle, Both eyes required, Depth perception, Ability to distinguish basic colors, Ability to distinguish shades of colors, Hearing (aid may be permitted), Mental and Emotional Stability required, Work with psychiatric patients with behavioral problems, Work with patients with drug and ETOH problems.

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 VA Portland Health Care System 3710 Southwest US Veterans Hospital Road Portland, OR 97239 US
• Name: Laurie Johnson
• Phone: (503) 220-8262 X51488
• Email: [email protected]