This position is located within the Diagnostic Imaging/Radiology Service at the James H. Quillen VA Medical Center, Johnson City, TN and reports to the Chief Radiology Technologist and lnterventional Radiologist. The incumbent assists with the performance of radiographic procedures according to protocols established for various age groups of patients, at a technical level requiring minimal supervision of technical detail.

Duties

The lnterventional Radiologic Technologist (IR Technologist) assists with the performance of a wide variety of technical procedures including, but not limited to: aortagram runoffs, arches. carotids, extremities, cerebrals, stenting, embolization and body interventional procedures like biliary/renal access and enteric lube placement. These exams will require independent judgment, ingenuity, and initiative to apply prescribed ionizing radiation for radiological diagnosis. These exams will be in a sterile environment. The IR Technologist assumes responsibility for designated area or procedures as required. Serves as resource person, assists work schedule, assists with policy, protocol, and QA program development and ensures proper safely protocols are followed. Duties include but are not limited to: Operates imaging systems for interventional procedures and accessory equipment. Efficiently and effectively provides procedural support for a variety of patient procedures. Demonstrates flexibility in response to unexpected changes in work volume, emergencies. and staffing and / or scheduling changes. Incumbent will be required as needed to scrub for procedures lo assist physician. Utilizes sterile technique and applies knowledge and appropriate usage of all equipment and supplies required to perform interventional and/or diagnostic procedures. IR Technologist may be required to prepare patient for catheter/sheath removal and demonstrates appropriate knowledge and skill sets to perform the removal according to policy. Programs technical factors by interrogating computer console and responding with inputs that will result in the required parameters as determined by the Radiologist and Physicist. Monitors the examination by checking computations. performances and results of the selected parameters, to obtain the best diagnostic computer data and images. The incumbent performs clinical analysis of data recorded by the computer and transfers the computer data to required storage destinations and in required media type. Applies appropriate measures in order to minimize radiation exposure to self, patients. employees, and others. The incumbent is responsible for quality assurance measures and requirements. Responsible for all interventional procedure menus. and current with all coding regulations. Provides documents to direct physicians on accurate CPT coding of all procedures. Incumbent will review/validate all procedure coding for accuracy then enter it appropriately into the Radiology Information System. Reviews radiation dose records and provides comparison to assure radiation safe practices are being met with no deviation and/or increase in patient or personnel exposure. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7:00 am to 3:30 pm with rotating after hours on-call, weekends and holidays required Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 60100-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not 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. Certification. (Copy of ARRT(R) Certification is required and must be provided as part of your application) All applicants must be certified in general radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology, Radiography (ARRT) (R). Education. (Copies of Transcripts or Certificate (NOT Diploma) must be provided as part of your application) 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). 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. English Language Proficiency. DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). 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).Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA as a DRT on the effective date of this qualification standard (December 13, 2019) 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: 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 Determinations: Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist, GS-10 Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-9), directly related to the position being filled that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level. Quality of Experience. Experience is only creditable if it was earned after completion of the basic certification requirements identified above. Experience as a graduate DRT is creditable provided the candidate functioned as a DRT and subsequently passed the certification examination. 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. Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist. Technologists working in this special assignment may function as vascular interventional (VI), cardiac interventional (CI) and/or cardiovascular-interventional (CV) technologists who 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. 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. The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs: Knowledge of radiation protection standards, devices and techniques, including concepts of accumulated dosage, dose monitoring, and genetic changes. 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. Knowledge of basic physics including concepts of energy, electric power, magnetic fields, and properties of x-ray, to understand the operation of the equipment.. Knowledge and skill in positioning of patients for a wide variety of highly complex imaging (CT, MRI, IR, ultrasound, mammography) studies. Preferred Experience/Certification: Current, Active certification in Vascular Interventional Radiology (VI) or Cardiovascular Interventional Radiology (CT) given by ARRT. Minimum 3 years of experience in Interventional Radiology References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G25, Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist Qualification Standards The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-10. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-10 to GS-10. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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 James H Quillen VA Medical Center Corner of Lamont Street and Veterans Way Mountain Home, TN 37684 US
• Name: David Wiseman
• Phone: (614) 935-3242
• Email: [email protected]