Position is an operator of the super conductive Magnetic Resonance Imager (MRI), a highly complex computerized imaging device which employs the use of strong magnetic fields and radio waves to acquire images.

Duties

The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. Duties Include but may not be limited to the following: Employee maintains the cleanliness of his/her assigned work area, maintains necessary supplies in the work area Reports all shortages to the supervisor, as well as any equipment failure In the absence of the supervisor contacts lead technologist, or Biomedical Engineering, or the service vendor to arrange for service. Employee has a responsibility to recognize and exhibit good safety practices; to comply with published and communicated safety procedures; to immediately report observed safety infractions and unsafe working conditions; and to report in a timely fashion work related illnesses and injuries. The employee's relationship with supervisors, lead technologist, co-workers, and others within the. organization re consistently courteous and cooperative in nature, and overall contribute positively to the effective operation of the Radiology Service Differences of opinion are nearly always handled in a business like fashion Actively seeks out work when assigned tasks are finished. Proactively identifies administrative, clinical or mechanical problems and defines solutions thereof Treats patients and visitors with courtesy and respect. Performs assigned duties with no supervision during irregular hours to insure adequate patient examinations. The incumbent is responsible for setting up and positioning patients, provides immobilization devices, selects proper technical factors on an individual patient basis and operates the equipment. New equipment will be evaluated, and new methods will be compared with existing methods. Interaction with physicians, scientists, physicists, computer programmers and manufacture's technical design engineers will be a normal occurrence of the daily duties of the operator, along with patient interactions. When operating the MRI, the incumbent coordinates with Radiologist and. Physicist to determine the most ideal parameters to pulse the magnet for each individualized patient examination The incumbent uses computer programs with competence and establishes and monitors quality control programs. Maintains operations log, maintenance and service reports. Maintains files on patient, computer data, and technical parameters of each examination. Assists physicians and other investigators in the development and execution of research protocols and maintaining the records as necessary to validate the research project or funding grant. In addition, the incumbent assists and develops training programs for new Computerized Imaging Specialists, physicians in training, and general clinical employees. Incumbent is a member of a team providing 24 hour/day capability including after-hours response to emergencies which require an MM technical support. The incumbent will be asked to participate in such emergency care. The incumbent is responsible for the quality assurance of the image (positioning/label/technique/network information) prior to transmission to the PAC's network. The incumbent can digitize films for the network and/or transmission to offsite locations. Work Schedule: Saturday and Sunday 7:00am-5:30pm Telework: Not Authorize Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): 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. 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).] 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. Loss of Credential. An employee in this occupation who fails to obtain certification within two years, or who fails to maintain the required certification must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. English Language Proficiency. DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and7407(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). Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for appointment, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates: Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist, GS-9 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 described at that level. Specialized experience includes: Ability to check system for operation and assess acceptable performance based on established guidelines; Knowledge of calibration parameters and the ability to make adjustments as needed; Knowledge of patient's clinical record, diagnosis, and laboratory results; Ability to monitor patient's physiologic changes during the procedure and keep the radiologist informed; Skill in using tact, diplomacy, and courtesy in dealings with the customer base, patients, staff, family, visitors, and volunteers; Knowledge of anatomy and physiology, and cross-sectional anatomy, recognizing unusual images, and determining proper positioning to best demonstrate areas of interest. AND 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 Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). AND Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment-specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): *Ability to balance the needs of patients and staff while still performing complex scans and procedures. Knowledge of techniques for gathering relevant information from the medical record, significant others, and health care providers. *Ability to assess factors that may contraindicate the procedure. Knowledge of basic first aid and basic life support practices related to radiography. Knowledge of physical assessment, aseptic techniques, intravenous methods and techniques and universal precautions. Knowledge of pre-procedural, procedural, and post-procedural care of patients. Preferred Experience: Preference in Siemens and GE MRI scanners, Basic Life Support (BLS) References: VA Handbook 5005/119 Part II Appendix G25 Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application

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 Minneapolis VA Medical Center One Veterans Drive Minneapolis, MN 55417 US
• Name: Amy Bakner
• Phone: 612-629-7180
• Email: [email protected]