This position is located at the William C. Tallent Outpatient Clinic in Knoxville, TN. The incumbent operates equipment both mobile and fixed radiographic and fluoroscopic equipment and assist the radiologist/ physician fluoroscopic procedures as part of the diagnostic plan for patients. The incumbent performs a variety of moderate to very difficult radiographic examinations and makes exposures necessary for the requested procedure. The incumbent monitors, observes, and assists patients.

Duties

Duties or Functions of this position include but are not limited to: Imaging Professional: Coordinates daily schedule and consults with physicians, clinical, administrative, and clerical personnel of next day and future day's availability for patient examinations. Performs work with computers and completes required forms associated with patient exams, patient visits, complications/ or quality improvement activities of the radiology department. Schedules patients as needed to include verbal interview for demographic accuracy and patient education prior to procedure, ensuring patient comfort and relaxation. Reports equipment failure or concerns to supervisor/ appropriate staff. Completes assignments in a prompt and effective manner resulting in optimal patient care. Supports maintenance of inventory supplies, ensuring that outdated, damaged, or otherwise unusable items are discarded. Reports to supervisor the need for replacements. Responsible for stocking and inventory of all supplies and related materials. Pursues continuing education activities to stay current in techniques and maintain competency. Disseminates information in general interest. Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (Registered): Prior to imaging, incumbent selects and sets protocols for each individualized patient examination. Performs high quality imaging services for the facility. Performs portable radiographic examinations throughout the facility as needed. Performs exams in the areas of radiography, fluoroscopy and mobile/ portable radiography. Safely transfers patients from stretcher or wheelchair to radiographic table. Anticipates the imaging and equipment needs before and during the procedure being performed. Follows the progress of the procedure and facilitates the flow. Prepares the room, equipment and material needed for patient procedures. Follows prescribed protocols required to perform procedures. Observes patients during procedures and reports complications or unusual events. Utilizes independent judgment, ingenuity, and initiative to apply prescribed ionizing radiation for radiological diagnosis. Checks and makes minor adjustments to equipment. Reports equipment failure to supervisor or appropriate staff. Maintains a clean work area and adequate level of supplies within the assigned rooms or radiographic areas. Carries out assigned tasks independently including special and complex radiographic procedures. Performs the full spectrum of radiographic exams, including standard radiographs, gastrointestinal exams and genitourinary exams. Utilizes textbooks, lead technologists, supervisors or radiologists to acquire information to assist in performing specialized or modified techniques. Demonstrates a fundamental knowledge digital radiography and the interface between the RIS and PACS and understands contingency procedures for manually entering patient information and routing images when needed. Responsible for the quality assurance of all images produced to include positioning, labeling, technique, marking correct side, prior to transmission to the PACS network. Able to burn CDs and import outside imaging into the PACS network as needed. Reports obvious imaging abnormalities to the radiologist before the patient leaves the radiology department. Reviews history in CPRS for allergies. Prepares oral contrast. Administers contrast material, under the direction of the radiologist, according to protocols. Observes the patient for signs and symptoms of adverse contrast reactions and initiates the appropriate response for varying levels of severity. Educates the patients and their families about their procedures being performed. Works in sterile environments when necessary to assist in the performance invasive procedures. Work Schedule: Monday and Friday 7:45am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 70243F 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. 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). 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. 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. English Language Proficiency. DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(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).Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA as a DRT on the effective date of this qualification standard (December 13, 2019) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and certification that are part of the basic requirements of the DRT occupation. For employees who do not meet all of the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: DRTs that require a certification, may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journeyman) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. DRTs that require a certification only at higher grade levels must meet the certification requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels. DRTs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. DRTs initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or certification that meet all of the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. Employees who are retained as a DRT under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry as a DRT. NOTE: Each uncertified VHA DRT who was permanently employed on June 21, 1986, and whose competence in the safe administration of ionizing radiation was affirmed, in writing, by a VA licensed physician not later than January 1, 1987, is considered fully qualified. These employees may be promoted, changed to lower grade, or reassigned within the GS-0647 occupational series. Any employee initially retained in this manner who leaves this job series loses protected status and must meet the full requirements in effect at the time of reentry. Grade Determinations: Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist, GS-9 Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-8), directly related to the position being filled that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level. Quality of Experience. Experience is only creditable if it was earned after completion of the basic certification requirements identified above. Experience as a graduate DRT is creditable provided the candidate functioned as a DRT and subsequently passed the certification examination. 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. 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 Part II Appendix G-25, Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist Qualification Standards Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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 James H Quillen VA Medical Center Corner of Lamont Street and Veterans Way Mountain Home, TN 37684 US
• Name: David Wiseman
• Phone: (614) 935-3242
• Email: [email protected]