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

Incumbent schedules exams when needed to optimize use of all of the radiographic equipment including CT scanner while maintaining flexibility to allow for emergency cases. Receives and interprets requests or instructions for procedures from radiologist or medical officers. Independently carries out the requests made by physicians, recording and utilizing appropriate CPT codes for exams. Performs as technologist in charge on less demanding shifts or when functioning outside the department with mobile units in the ED, ICU, OR or at bedside. Receives assignments for a variety of difficult examinations including care of trauma cases, critically ill patients, isolation patients and other emotionally and physically impaired individuals. Performs all required information support tasks including exam registration, tracking, etc. Maintains records and files of exams performed on patients including the completion of checklist and contrast / radiology notes in the CPRS package. Secures the confidence and cooperation of patients during procedures. Explains procedures, positions patients for desired results, and cushions and shields patients as appropriate. Varies procedures or positions to compensate for and adjust to patients' medical conditions. Prepares exam rooms with sterile supplies, local anesthetics and any supplies required for given exams. Prepares and administers contrast materials under the supervision of the radiologist for the purpose of performing exams requiring injectable solutions such as CT scans, IVP, cystogram, cholangiograms fistulagrams, and arthrography and for the purpose of performing oral and rectal exams of the GI tract. Knowledge of the effects and adverse reactions associated with these agents. Must continuously monitor the patient's condition and be knowledgeable in the procedures for handling adverse reactions including CPR certification, and preparing incident reports. Interviews patients to obtain pertinent medical history and medication usage as it pertains to safe administration of contrast administration. Proficient in venipuncture procedures to obtain IV access for administration of contrast materials. Determines technical factors, sets controls and operates general radiology equipment and the CAT scanner. Independently makes routine radiographic examinations and CAT scans of head, trunk, and extremities for diagnosis of illness or injuries. Operates computerized radiography as well as conventional Radiology equipment. Determines technical factors (i.e., calculates the correct exposure factors of time, distance, kilovoltage, and milliamperage), sets controls and operates equipment ensuring that the portion of the body specified receives the correct calculated exposure. Selects and sets technical factors for very difficult radiographic examinations. Ensures ALARA principle is applied. Ensures safety of all potentially exposed patients, staff or family when using mobile units. As a team member with a radiologist, performs procedures such as IVP, cystograms, G.I. series, esophograms, double contrast enemas, myelography, arthrography, fistula grams, tube placement and checks. Also, works with speech pathologists to perform and car e for patient during video esophogram. Determines technical factors, positioning, number and thickness of scans, etc., to produce and satisfy requirements of CT scanning. Notifies radiologist of scans requiring their immediate attention. Works with the radiologist as a member of the surgical/radiographic team during biopsies, drainage or any procedure requiring CT guidance. Must be continuously on the alert for the patient's condition, sterile field, catheter and needle sizes, etc. Practices radiation safety in order to reduce exposure to patients, staff and self. Practices hand washing, and environmental disinfection as per policy to assure the safety of the patient. Performs reconstructions of CT studies when requested or when part of a standard procedure. Properly identifies patient films using flash identifiers, and L & R markers. Must be certain patient identification and the requests are identical. Incumbent performs picture archival duties. Captures computerized radiographs, applies an algorithm, configures the image and verifies patient information before transmitting them to the picture archive system. Image manipulation and transmission is critical in computerized radiography, lost data can only be recaptured by repeating the radiograph. Troubleshoots equipment for error or malfunction. Performs all required routine maintenance as per policy. Performs irregular hour emergency scans on standby, 24hours per day, coverage. Work Schedule: weekend/evening 10 hour shifts 2pm-Midnight Saturday and Sunday Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 21V90-A EDRP Authorized: Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more

Requirements

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENTS Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. 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. 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. 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 Determinations: 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. 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. DRTs at this grade level may be appointed to one of the following assignments: 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 (*): i. *Ability to balance the needs of patients and staff while still performing complex scans and procedures. ii. Knowledge of techniques for gathering relevant information from the medical record, significant others, and health care providers. iii. *Ability to assess factors that may contraindicate the procedure. iv. Knowledge of basic first aid and basic life support practices related to radiography. v. Knowledge of physical assessment, aseptic techniques, intravenous methods and techniques and universal precautions. vi. Knowledge of pre-procedural, procedural, and post-procedural care of patients References: VA Handbook 5005/119 PART II APPENDIX G25The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-9. 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).

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 Samuel S Stratton VA Medical Center - Albany 113 Holland Ave Albany, NY 12208 US
• Name: Kaiya Moore
• Phone: 2025966773
• Email: [email protected]