Employees assigned to this position provide imaging services leadership in specialized and complex areas of radiologic technology and/or general diagnostic radiology services. The incumbent performs and leads magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations on all body regions, including complex procedures with multiplanar reformations, 3-dimensional reconstructions, dynamic contrast imaging, body MRI, and MRI angiography.

Duties

Functions and performs MRI examinations of various body systems. Responsible for ensuring all patients are thoroughly screened for contraindicated devices, medical conditions, or any other applicable hazard prior to entering the MRI environment. Responsible for explaining exams to competent patients, their family members, or surrogate(s) as appropriate so they can understand what is to be done as well as which hazards, if any, are possible. May be required by procedure or patient's condition to monitor vital signs, recognize allergic reactions and initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Perform general and specialized diagnostic imaging exams and procedures in advanced levels of complex treatment situations. Prepares and administers contrast materials under the direction of the radiologist for the purpose of performing exams requiring injectable solutions such as myelography, Urograms, cystograms, cholangiograms fistulagrams and arthrography and for the purpose of performing oral and rectal exams of the GI tract. In the case of injected contrast media, a patient consent form must be obtained, when appropriate. Responsible to the radiologists and supervisor for the quality and quantity of imaging exams performed in order to assure a high level of acceptability of imaging exams while minimizing patient dosage and reducing costs. Checks pertinent labs values and medications for contraindication to the exam to be performed and documents this is reviewed in the patient's record and/or applicable logbooks, spreadsheets, etc. as required. Practices MRI and radiation safety, maintains As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) standards, and participates in radiation safety committee meetings, as required, in order to reduce exposure to patient, staff and self. As part of compliance with radiation safety regulations and guidelines the technologists/technicians must wear radiation exposure monitoring badge when in designated radiation areas. Must be aware of and practice the safety policies/procedures of the medical center and participate in quality assurance activities as directed. Performs cutting-edge image processing and post processing procedures on advanced workstations and software as directed by the radiologist or as part of a given study. Maintains proficiency in advanced reconstruction techniques. Performs additional image processing such as loading and unloading cassettes on CR digitizers, adjusting image quality, providing additional reformats, and/or advance 3-D reconstructions when necessary or upon request, and prints images when required in order to provide adequate and properly processed imaging examinations. Maintains records and files of exams performed on patients. Edits and when necessary registers patients in the computerized Radiology Information System (RIS) as well as the work list management portion of the HIS-RIS interface. Maintains National Patient Safety Goals by properly identifying appropriate patient(s) for the proper exam or imaging study. Uses left and right markers. The technologist must confirm the identification of the patient prior to beginning any study by using two (2) identifiers such as last name, VA ID number, last four numbers of the patient's SS number, date of birth or, in the case of ER or inpatients, the patients ID band. It is imperative that patient and the requested exam are identical. Performs radiographic exams at the bedside and in the operating rooms providing diagnostic x-rays to the surgeons and professional staff on patients that are unable to be x-rayed in the Radiology Service due to incapacity or surgical procedures. These exams are achieved using portable x-ray units and mobile intensifier units (C-Arms) that may be located in Surgery or other areas within the medical center. Assist radiologists in the less complex fluoroscopic examinations. Responsible for cleanliness and stocking adequate levels of supplies in assigned areas. Responsible for reporting equipment malfunctions or in a timely manner and placing equipment maintenance requests. May be required to perform diagnostic radiographic examinations during irregular emergency on-call hours, 24 hours per day, coverage. This requires that the technologist be available as soon as possible, but no longer than 30 minutes from receipt of call. Completes all assigned training (TMS, BLS, HIPAA, etc.) as directed and in a timely manner. Maintain certifications, organizational affiliations and/or accreditations. Responsible for performing any other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, (Amarillo) - 9:30m - 6:00pm (Lubbock) - 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (MRI) Relocation Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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. 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 (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Please see the Additional Information Section of this announcement for details. Preferred Experience: 2 or more years creditable experience as a general radiographer and complex fluoroscopic examinations. 2 or more years creditable experience in applicable advanced certification area (MRI) Experience using Hitachi MRI as appropriate Grade Determinations: 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. 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. Advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist. 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: i. Knowledge of radiation protection standards, devices and techniques, including concepts of accumulated dosage, dose monitoring, and genetic changes. ii. 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. iii. Knowledge of basic physics including concepts of energy, electric power, magnetic fields, and properties of x-ray, to understand the operation of the equipment. iv. Knowledge and skill in positioning of patients for a wide variety of highly complex imaging (CT, MRI, IR, ultrasound, mammography) studies. References: VA Handbook 5005/119, Part II, Appendix G25 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-10. Physical Requirements: heavy lifting (45 pounds and over); straight pulling (

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Failure to provide transcripts may result in non-referral of your application if education cannot be verified.

Accreditation Information: 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).

NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in 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 Thomas E Creek VA Medical Center 6010 Amarillo Boulevard, West Amarillo, TX 79106 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]