This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Duties

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This is an open continuous announcement until January 5, 2024. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available. The James J. Peters VAMC is recruiting for two Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (CT) in the Diagnostic Imaging service located in the Bronx, New York. In this position the incumbent will perform routine to moderately complex radiographic examination procedures. Major duties and responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to: Performs all routine and complex radiographic procedures. Operates equipment for the purpose of providing radiographic examinations. Provide various tour coverage including weekends and holidays and take calls. Receives and interprets request, or instructions for procedures. Performs radiographic exams at the bedside and in the operating rooms. Prepares contrast materials under the direction of the radiologist. Responsible to explain exams to competent patients. Registers patients in the computerized system. Recognizes and reports malfunctioning equipment. Performs other duties, as assigned. Supervisory Reports to the supervisory technologist. In consultation with the supervisory technologist and physicians, develop the deadlines, projects and works to be done. Assigned continuing responsibility to independently plan and carry out work, resolving most of the conflicts that arise, coordinating work with the supervisory technologist as necessary, and interpreting policy in terms of established objectives. Keeps the physicians and the Radiologic Supervisory Technologist informed of progress and of any potentially controversial matters or far-reaching implications. Work Schedule: Different Tours Available. Monday - Friday, 12:00 Midnight - 8:00 AM Wednesday - Sunday, 3:30 PM - 12:00 Midnight Recruitment Incentive: Yes, authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 24383-F Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Recruitment Incentive: Authorized Education Debt Reduction Program (Student Loan Repayment): Yes EDRP Authorized: Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance Additional Information: The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is at the GS-9 level. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

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: 1. Citizenship: Citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates. 2. 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 in Computed Tomography (CT). 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. Applicant must upload ARRT (R) (CT) certification at the time of application to this announcement. 3. 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). (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. (2) Exception for Non-Certified, Entry Level Candidates. Non-certified DRTs who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for ARRT (R) certification may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate DRT under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B). The appointing official may waive the requirement of certification for a period not to exceed two years for a DRT that provides care under the supervision of a certified DRT at or above the full performance level. This exception only applies at the GS-5 entry level technician. For grade levels above the entry level, the candidate must be certified. Temporary appointments of non-certified DRTs may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment.. (3) 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. 4. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. DRT's work requires long periods of standing and walking up to 8 hours. There is repeated bending, pushing / pulling, reaching above shoulders, use of both hands (hands and fingers), twisting and carrying of moderately heavy articles weighing from 15-44 pounds such as multiple cassettes, grids, as well as wearing lead aprons. Movement of moderately heavy equipment is generally power assisted such as portable machines. Positioning of patients who are disabled may require considerable effort and working in awkward positions. Heavy lifting of incapacitated patients is done only with help of other employees and devices provided by the Radiology Section. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. 5. English Language Proficiency. DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). Grade Requirements: 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. (3) Part-Time Experience. Part-time experience as a DRT is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweek. For example, a DRT would receive one week of full- time credit for each two weeks of half-time work. b. Specialized Assignments. Specialized areas of radiologic technology include general diagnostic radiologic technology (R), bone densitometry (BD), mammography (M), diagnostic ultrasound (S), computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MR), interventional radiologic technology (IR), quality management (QM), picture archival communication system (PACS) technologist, MRI safety officer (MRSO), imaging administrator, clinical program director, and clinical instructor. Computed Tomography (CT). This specialty modality requires specific knowledge of cross sectional human anatomy and its application in spiral, and/or, multi-slice computer tomography, inclusive of 3-D reconstruction scans, including drainages, biopsies, and peripheral vascular examinations. The technologist requires specific knowledge and training in the location, appearance, and function of the various major and minor systems susceptible to radiological illumination; to interpret the examination request accurately; to understand the functioning and inter-relationship of the various organs; to use the methods and techniques which will identify organs appearing on the digital display monitor, or on film, and the various stages of the examination to judge the acceptability of the image and/or scan for diagnostic use and to emphasize the aspects of interest to the physician. DRT assignments that include performance of independent duties in this subspecialty require advanced ARRT certification. Grade Determination Requirements: In addition to the basic requirements for appointment above, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates: For the GS-9 Diagnostics Radiologic Technologist, the following is required: 1. Experience: At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, at the GS-8 level, directly related to the position being filled that demonstrates the clinical competencies. 2. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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. Preferred Qualification: Must maintain BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support) certification References: VA Handbook 5005/119, Part II, Appendix G25, DIAGNOSTIC RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGIST QUALIFICATION STANDARD, GS-0647, December 13, 2019.

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 Bronx VA Medical Center 130 West Kingsbridge Rd. Bronx, NY 10468 US
• Name: Yaneth Ferrer
• Phone: 718-584-9000 X6569
• Email: [email protected]