DRTs (IR) perform procedures and examinations in hospitals or clinics under the direction of radiologists and other medical officers. The objective of the examinations and procedures is to produce radiographic studies that are used in medical diagnosis and interpreted by medical officers. Imaging modalities form the framework to all minimally invasive image-guided procedures used in Interventional Radiology to diagnose and treat diseases in nearly every organ system.

Duties

The Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist works closely with Interventional Radiologists, Diagnostic Radiologists, Clinicians, Nurses, Technologists, and other hospital staff members to provide direct care within his/her scope of practice. The incumbent may receive assignments from Radiology Supervisors, Providers, and Lead Technologists and is evaluated on the merit of their skills/duties and responsibilities within the scope of practice and qualifications for the position. The incumbent is responsible to the IR Supervisor, Chief Technologist, and ultimately to the Associate Chief of Staff for Diagnostic Imaging Services (Chief of Radiology, MD). Diagnostic Radiologic Technologists in this role must understand and apply the basic concepts and understanding of Interventional Radiology and General Radiography as these imaging modalities form the framework to all minimally invasive image-guided procedures used in Interventional Radiology to diagnose and treat diseases in nearly every organ system. The Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist will: Prepare for procedures prior to the patient arrival in the procedure/exam room (equipment, supplies, procedure tray, etc.). This includes procedures performed in all sections of the Radiology Department, as well as imaging procedures/exams, intra-operative cases, or bedside procedures that are performed outside of the footprint of the Radiology Service. Clean each procedure/exam room (equipment, supplies, procedure tray, etc.) and restock all supplies used, following the departure of each patient from the procedure room. This includes procedures performed in all sections of the Radiology Department, as well as imaging procedures/exams, intra-operative cases, or bedside procedures that are performed outside of the footprint of the Radiology Service. Coordinate daily schedules and consult with IR Radiologists, Nurses, IR Technologists, IR Schedulers, or other clinical and administrative And access for patient care. Prepare oral and injectable contrast and other chemical mixtures, as necessary, according to up-to-date professional and industry standards of use. Administer contrast material, under the direction of the Radiologist. Demonstrate flexibility in response to unexpected changes in work volume, emergencies, staffing and /or scheduling changes. Verify the quality of each image/exam (patient/exam identification, positioning / label / technique) prior to transmission to the Picture Archiving and Communications System (PACS). Relevant tech notes will be placed in PACS/VistA/CPRS or other associated systems immediately following transmission of each imaging study. Create and maintain an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest, and positive emphasis when dealing with all healthcare care users to assure optimum services are provided. Preferred Experience: 2 years' experience in Interventional Radiology performing routine and complex procedures such as Paracentesis, Thoracentesis, Chest tubes, US/CT Biopsies, IVC Filters, Central Lines, GI Procedures, TACE, TIPS, HD Catheters, Ablations, etc.. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 80176F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies in similar positions within corporate Orlando. This includes the same grade level and occupational series but may be used for a different service or location.

Requirements

Qualifications

This vacancy is open to current permanent employees of the Orlando VA Healthcare System (Facility-wide) ONLY. 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: a. Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g.) b. Certification. All applicants must be certified in general radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology, Radiography (ARRT) (R). c. 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).] [NOTE: Assignment to the clinical program director requires meeting JRCERT minimum educational standards as noted in the assignment description.] (1) 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. d. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. e. English Language Proficiency. DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). f. 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. NOTE: Each uncertified VHA DRT who was permanently employed on June 21, 1986, and whose competence in the safe administration of ionizing radiation was affirmed, in writing, by a VA licensed physician not later than January 1, 1987, is considered fully qualified. These employees may be promoted, changed to lower grade, or reassigned within the GS-0647 occupational series. Any employee initially retained in this manner who leaves this job series loses protected status and must meet the full requirements in effect at the time of reentry. GRADE DETERMINATION, GS-9: a. Creditable Experience (1) Knowledge of Current Radiologic Technology Practice. To be creditable, experience must have demonstrated possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics (also referred to as clinical competencies) associated with current radiologic technology practice. This may have been evidenced by the equivalent of one year of active practice, which is paid or non-paid employment as a DRT as defined by ARRT. (2) Quality of Experience. Experience is only creditable if it was earned after completion of the basic certification requirements identified in paragraph 2b above. Experience as a graduate DRT is creditable provided the candidate functioned as a DRT and subsequently passed the certification examination. Specialized Assignment. The specialized area of radiologic technology is Interventional Radiography, [Interventional Radiography (IR). Technologists working in this special assignment may function as vascular interventional (VI), cardiac interventional (CI) and/or 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.] Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (IR), GS-9: (1) 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following 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. (2) 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. DRTs at this grade level will be appointed the following assignments: References: VA Handbook 5005/119 PART II APPENDIX G25 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-9 only.

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 Orlando VA Medical Center 13800 Veterans Way Orlando, FL 32827 US
• Name: Nikki Merkes
• Phone: 708-953-2851
• Email: [email protected]