The Cincinnati, OH VA Medical Center is recruiting for a Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (DRT) located in the Imaging section of Radiology Service.

Duties

Major Duties: Receives patients, explains methods of procedures, position patient and makes exposures necessary for the requested examination. Independently makes standard examinations. Confers with Radiologists to establish requirements of nonstandard examinations, determines technical factors and properly positions patients. Evaluates the nature of critical and emergency procedures and rearranges patient priorities to accommodate them. The incumbent will independently operate Diagnostic Imaging equipment. The incumbent will help to develop new techniques, define optimal protocols, and devise alternative ways to visualize pathology within the patient. Perform examinations on patients according to protocols and parameters set forth by department or procedures by a radiologist. The incumbent performs a wide variety of complex radiologic examinations of patients to aid in the diagnosis of disease or injury. Positions patients, selects and sets technical factors, sets up and adjusts accessory equipment and makes exposures based on request of physician or other specialists. Performs routine x-ray examinations of all areas of the body to include skull, spines, abdomen, and all extremities with minimal discomfort to the patient. Explains the radiographic procedure to allay fears and obtain maximum cooperation from the patient. The incumbent receives patient explains methods of procedures, position patient and makes exposures necessary for the requested examination. Independently makes standard examinations. Confers with Radiologists to establish requirements of nonstandard examinations and determines technical factors, positioning to satisfy the requirements. Evaluates the nature of critical and emergency procedures and rearranges patient priorities to accommodate them Checks the maintenance of daily supplies to avoid any slow-down in patient care. Ensures that the highest degree of cleanliness is kept in all examination rooms and that anti-infection control is carried out. Performs diagnostic imaging procedures as prescribed by a licensed DRT. Determines radiographic technique exposure factors and effectively plans the table before and during exposure. Performs and assists practitioner with fluoroscopic and specialized procedures. Participates in physiologic monitoring of patients. Post processes digital data for display or hard copy records, insuring proper identification and consent. The Incumbent properly sets up and adjusts accessory equipment required and makes exposures necessary for requested procedures. These procedures take place in a variety of different locations and forms. Such as the CR system, DR Systems, Fluoroscopy, Portables, GI Lab, Cystography Lab and Operating Rooms per established checklist. Responsible for completion of examination by transmitting images to the PACS immediately after procedure is finished. The incumbent receives patient explains methods of procedures, position patient and makes exposures necessary for the requested examination. Independently makes standard examinations. Confers with Radiologists to establish requirements of nonstandard examinations and determines technical factors, positioning to satisfy the requirements. Evaluates the nature of critical and emergency procedures and rearranges patient priorities to accommodate them. Work Schedule: Thursday-Sunday, 9:00 pm - 7:00 am Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Retention Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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. 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. 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).] GRADE REQUIREMENTS. Diagnostic Radiologic Technician GS-5 Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements. II-G25-6 December 13, 2019 VA Handbook 5005/119 PART II APPENDIX G25 (2) Assignment. DRTs at this level operate and monitor commonly used equipment performing routine procedures under general supervision. The technician functions somewhat independently in carrying out these standardized procedures of limited complexity. Deviations from regular procedures, unanticipated problems, and unfamiliar situations are referred to the supervisor for a decision or help. Some assignments at this level also include developmental duties involving more complex procedures designed to prepare the technician for promotion to higher grades in a functional area. Such duties are performed under closer supervision. Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist GS-6 Experience or Education. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade 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. Assignment. Employees at this grade level serve as developmental DRTs, performing examinations which are routine and standardized in nature. They explain exams to patients in terms they can understand as well as potential hazards. They must also troubleshoot equipment used for diagnostic radiology and exercise extreme caution in the handling and safeguarding of all radiation producing equipment. DRTs must report major equipment malfunctions within a timely manner to service representatives and assist higher graded technologists in performing more complicated examinations. 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 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. Assignment. DRTs at this level perform a full range of duties but receive guidance and directions regarding unfamiliar or unusual situations for more complex patient issues. Candidates at this grade level may be qualified to provide services in specialized areas of radiologic technology and/or general radiologic technology services. 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. Assignments. Employees at this grade level serve as staff DRTs at the full performance level. Candidates at this grade level must be qualified to independently provide services in specialized areas of radiologic technology and/or general radiologic technology services with only occasional oversight or direction for highly complex issues. 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. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8 . Physical Requirements: The incumbent must have the ability to identify abnormal pathology for expected image results and make modifications to the instruments or imaging parameters to compensate for those unexpected results, or effectively communicate the incumbent's observation to the Radiologist to effect a change in the goals of the imaging examination.

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 Cincinnati VA Medical Center 3200 Vine Street Cincinnati, OH 45220 US
• Name: Kelly Webb
• Email: [email protected]