The position performs Quality Management Technologist duties in a complex, multidisciplinary Diagnostic Imaging (DI) service (CT, MRI, ULTRASOUND, GENERAL X-RAY, DXA AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE) at the Spokane VAMC. The position oversees and coordinates technologists and students in all modalities and operations of the service and performs imaging exams as needed.

Duties

Quality Management and Administrative: Strives to improve overall efficiency of the radiology service; and actively participates in optimizing protocols and room usage. Maintain knowledge of all image-producing equipment in order to design and operate a complete and comprehensive DI quality assurance program. Assists in coordination and overseeing installation of new equipment. Performs inspection of equipment which produces ionizing radiation to ensure proper mechanical functionality. Assists in and coordinates preventative maintenance and applications training for modalities through Biomedical Engineering (BioMed) Service. Knowledge of Joint Commission, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and VA standards regarding radiology quality assurance and other technical functions. Properly train staff and students on image and equipment quality control tracking monthly repeat rates, and maximizing improvements in technologists' exam quality through briefings and one-on-one instruction. Will attend, create agendas and arrange quarterly meetings for MRI and Radiation Safety programs, surgical/procedural briefings and other meetings requiring departmental imaging quality control information. Has primary responsibility for oversight and tracking of employee fluoroscopy training for both new and established personnel. Prepares annual equipment radiation physicists reports, staff radiation exposure badge reports, and radiation protection device reports for TJC surveys as it relates to DI at the Spokane VAMC. PACS/VR Software/Image Acquisition and Processing: Secondary (back-up) member of the facility PACS implementation team, being included in the planning, selection, installation and operation of the PACS Imaging Network. Will monitor the operations of the Voice Recognition Dictation System, especially in the absence of the PACS Administrator, to identify problem conditions that will not respond to normal operator intervention methods. Responsibility is functioning as the Quality Management Technologist and assisting with the PACS system to move patient images within the facility as well as send and receive images from VA facilities and external medical centers throughout the nation. Must possess knowledge of hospital operations and how to protect patient care data in accordance with HIPAA guidelines. Provides support to the PACS Administrator for troubleshooting services in the day-to-day operations of the PACS, Radiology Voice Recognition (VR), and Electronic Health Record interface. Imaging Examinations/Procedures: Perform routine and specialized imaging exams/procedures in modalities in which they are trained, as needed. In an effort to maintain the skill set of the Quality Manager, performing exams/procedures is expected to represent a minimum of 10% of their duties unless prevented due to unforeseen circumstances. Logistics/Contract/Budget: Develops, manages and administers medical contracts utilized for professional DI services at the Spokane VA Medical Center. Will work with contracting officers and review the statement of work and oversee the details of the agreement for professional services rendered and the payment for such services as the COR for imaging awarded contracts. Assists the DI Service Chief and Administrative Officer in budget planning. Provides all essential contractual information in the Annual Budget Plan. Monitors the DI Service's budgetary planning and oversees the ongoing administration of the budget in close coordination with the Administrative Officer. Reviews the Service's budget with the fiscal officer on a regular basis. The Quality Management Technologist is involved in setting specifications for negotiating contractual services, supervises the performance of contractual services and establishes contractual arrangements for supplies, equipment, service, and/or repairs. Works with the imaging administrative team to identify growth needs and/or necessary budget requests for the Service Chief for submission to high level management officials. Lung Cancer Screening Liaison/Tracking: Will serve as liaison for DI with the Lung Cancer Screening Program (LCSP) at Spokane VAMC. This will include attending LCS meetings, assisting with tracking Veterans in the LCSP via any means appropriate, placing procedure classifications for Low Dose CT (LDCT) exams performed at Spokane VAMC for our LCSP Veterans, and any other duties appropriate and within the scope of practice of a technologist to further assist with LCSP veteran care. Work Schedule: 8AM - 4:30PM, Monday - Friday Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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: 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.) 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). 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 Technologist (Quality Management Technologist) GS-11 Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled that demonstrates the clinical competencies needed to provide services as a quality control technologist, DRT team leader, supervisory radiologic technologist, [PACS technologist, clinical program director], or an assistant chief radiologic technologist. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs: i. Knowledge of all Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and VA standards regarding radiology quality assurance and other technical functions. ii. Ability to train staff on quality assurance and control. iii. Knowledge of inventory management systems. iv. Knowledge of x-ray and other image-producing machinery in order to design and operate a complete radiology quality assurance program. v. Knowledge of physics and physical properties of CR and DR panels and image production to diagnose difficulties in x-ray machinery and post processing equipment. Preferred Experience: At least 1 secondary license (CT/MRI/NM/etc.), 3 years of experience, and a bachelor's degree are all preferred. References: VA Handbook 5005/119, Part II, Appendix G25, December 13, 2019. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (15-44 lbs.), reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, walking, standing, crawling, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors, and hearing (aid may be permitted). Environmental factors include radiant energy, electrical energy, working around machinery with moving parts, working closely with others, and working alone.

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 Mann-Grandstaff Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 4815 North Assembly Street Spokane, WA 99205 US
• Name: Gabriel Johnson
• Phone: (503) 220-8262 X53014
• Email: [email protected]