The incumbent provides sophisticated diagnostic radiology technologist services in the subspecialty area of computerized tomography (CT) utilizing helical/spiral or multi-detector CT technology. The employee receives routine, urgent, or emergency patients for CT Performs, CT exams per organizational approved standard protocols or protocols determined by a staff radiologist. Determines the required technical factors and machine settings to safely satisfy specific exam requirements.

Duties

Duties include but not limited to: Prepares rectal or oral contrast media and administers this contrast media to patients within the Imaging Service prior to performing their scan per either modified or approved standard protocols under a radiologist's directive. Inserts appropriate intravenous (IV) lines into patients prior to IV contrast administration when necessary. Prepares and administers intravenous iodinated contrast media to patients during their scan per modified or approved standard protocols under a radiologist's directive. Incumbent will be able to balance the needs of the patients and staff while still performing complex exams and procedures. Can recognize the signs and symptoms of a contrast reaction and knows what steps to take in the event of a contrast reaction. Incumbent can check system for operation and assess acceptable performance based on established guidelines. Incumbent will have knowledge of a patient's clinical record, diagnosis and laboratory results; can demonstrate the appropriate techniques to gather relevant information from the medical record in relation to the exam performed; can monitor patient's physiologic changes during the procedure and keep the radiologist informed. After each exam, places ("cases") the examination into an "examined" status in the hospital information system (VistA). Ensures that each "cased" exam accurately reflects the examination that was performed; is responsible for correctly initiating transfer of obtained CT images to the organizations Picture Archival and Communication System (PACS) and confirming successful transfer of these images following completion of each acquired CT examination. Following the conclusion of each patient's exam(s), enters a detailed Imaging Procedure Note in the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS). Obtains emergent (STAT) serum creatinine and eGFR measurements on patients within the department when necessary using an iSTAT or similar device. Incumbent has knowledge of calibration parameters and the ability to adjust as needed; will be able to assess factors that may contraindicate the procedure. Ensures that IV contrast media that is placed into the contrast warmer is labeled with appropriate day, month, and year. Maintains a daily temperature log for the IV contrast warmer.

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. Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA as a ORT on the effective date of this qualification standard 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 ORT 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 ORT 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 ORT. NOTE: Each uncertified VHA ORT 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. 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). Grade Determinations: Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist GS-9 Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-08, 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. 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. Preferred Experience: ARRT certified in Computed Tomography One or more years' experience in Computed Tomography Proficient in attaining IV access for contrast administration References: VA Handbook 5005/119 Part II Appendix G25 Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist Qualification Standard GS-0647 December 13, 2019. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09. Physical Requirements: heavy lifting/carrying (45 pounds and over), straight pulling/pulling hand over hand/pushing (15 minutes), reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, walking (15 minutes), standing (up to 8 hours), kneeling (15 minutes), repeated bending (up to 3 hours), climbing (use of legs and arms), both legs required, 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, both eyes required, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic and shades of colors, hearing (aid permitted), hearing without aid, and ability to communicate with other staff and patients.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

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 was accredited by Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet.

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 VA Central Texas Health Care System 1901 Veterans Memorial Drive Temple, TX 76504 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]