This position is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network (VISN 6), Salem VA Medical Center (VAMC) located in Salem VA, under Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (MRI. Individuals in this position perform a varied array of complex scans in a hospital environment, which serves a patient population consisting of both inpatients and outpatients.

Duties

DUTIES: Performs technical work in support of diagnostic magnetic resonance imaging under the direction of a physician radiologist. Operates complex radiology computer equipment as part of the diagnostic plan for patients. Supports radiologists or other medical officers to produce radiographic studies used to diagnose medical conditions. Receives requests or instructions for procedures. Interprets requests or instructions from radiologists or medical officers. Receives assignments that require application of standard and non-standard procedures and seeks advice or the assistance of a physician radiologist when questions or uncertainty about a scan arises. When an uncommon, unique or new procedure is required, employee consults with a physician radiologist for guidance. Receives assignments for a variety of difficult examinations. Performs as technologist in charge during off-hour shifts and when performing scans in an on-call capacity. Routinely performs duties in an environment where the consulting physician radiologist is at another location and is only available via phone communication and must possess the knowledge and skills to adequately communicate the details of a patient examination or situation and act on verbal guidance or instructions provided by the physician radiologist. Technologist interprets and directs the accomplishment of most difficult requests. Only general supervision from a radiologist, lead technologist, or a supervisory technologist is required in most instances, although some extremely difficult procedures require close consultation with a radiologist or medical officer. Triages exam requests to give priority to cases that are clinically more urgent and coordinates the completion of inpatient examinations in a timely manner. Schedules outpatient scans following VHA Scheduling guidelines. Notifies supervisor when clinic access is less than desirable or if an individual patient cannot be scheduled within mandated clinic timeframes. Secures the confidence and cooperation of patients during procedures. Independently explains procedures, and positions patients for a variety of very difficult procedures. Administers contrast materials intravenously according to department protocol. Provides an assessment of the patient's condition throughout the patient's stay in the Department and responds appropriately when a patient's condition falls below the baseline assessment of what is considered to be stable. The technologist is responsible for following all MRI safety requirements thus assuring that no harm comes to the patient in the magnet environment by complete and individual patient screening according to department protocols. The screening of all patients will be performed first by the provider, then by the technologist before scheduling an outpatient or bringing an inpatient to the MRI department. Upon arrival to the MRI department, the patient must fill out a patient history screening which will be reviewed in the presence of the patient and signed by the patient and at least two MRI technologists. Technologist is responsible for ensuring that no patient enters the scanning suite with a condition that may cause injury to the patient, employee or equipment. Technologist will perform final screening of patient in an attempt to determine if a patient has any type of metallic implant or foreign metal body that may cause injury or death upon entering the high strength magnetic field of the scanner. Technologist must be able to research implants using latest safety references and follow strict conditions on scanning implants and deferring those that are unsafe. Determines technical factors, sets controls and operates equipment. Performs film management, data archiving and the status tracking of examinations upon completion of each scan. Follows standard operating procedures to perform magnetic resonance imaging of the head, brain, vascular system, extremities, spine, internal organs, joints and bones for purposes of diagnosing complex conditions, disease or injury routinely undetectable through alternate imaging modalities. Occasionally deviates from standard procedures to adapt for deformities or body injuries, and other variable considerations such as age and weight of patient. Sets up the scanning suite. Assures that sterile supplies, local anesthetics, contrast materials, catheters, and other required equipment are available. Advises radiologist or referring physician of results of examination and provides them with them with a preliminary diagnostic evaluation. Promptly notifies them of significant findings requiring immediate attention. Work Schedule: 745a-430p Monday- Friday with rotating on-call weekends Functional Statement #: 000000 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: 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) NOTE: Assignment to the clinical program director requires meeting JRCERT minimum educational standards as noted in the assignment description. English Language Proficiency. DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and7407(d). Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MR). This specialty modality requires additional knowledge of superconducting magnets, the physics of superconducting magnets, and how they relate to the human anatomy in medical imaging. The technologist must be educated in the safety factors governing a magnetic environment that patients, visitors, and equipment enter. The practitioner must have specialized knowledge of cross sectional anatomy and how it relates to the soft tissues and vessels of the human body. The technologist must also have specialized knowledge in the radio-frequency surface coils required for each specific anatomical area to be imaged. [This assignment may also perform basic magnetic resonance safety program duties. Technologists must be knowledgeable in contrast media, power injectors, and PACS. DRT assignments that include performance of independent duties in this subspecialty require advanced ARRT (MR) certification.] 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: Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist,GS-10 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. Preferred Experience: MR Cardiac Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist. Employees at this level are fully functional as an advanced DRT and carry out their assigned tasks independently. DRTs at this level may have varying assignments including special and complex imaging procedures beyond the full performance level, clinical instruction, and basic QM type duties within the program. Regardless of the nature of the specific assignment, the work must be of sufficient scope and complexity to meet the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform at this level. 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/119, Part II, Appendix G25 The full performance level of this vacancy is 10. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 10 . Physical Requirements: This position will require the employee to preform moderate lifting of objects 5-44 lbs., light carrying of objects no more that 5 lbs., straight pulling up to 1 hour, pulling hand over hand up to 1 hour, pushing up to 1 hour, reaching over shoulder, use of fingers, requires both hands, walking for periods up to 8 hours, standing for period up to hours, kneeling for periods up to 1 hour, repeated bending up to 4 hours, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, depth perception, ability to distinguish shades of colors, hearing (aid may be permitted), hearing without aid.

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 Salem VA Medical Center 1970 Roanoke Boulevard Salem, VA 24153 US
• Name: Kera Madden
• Phone: 540-982-2463 X2770
• Email: [email protected]