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

The incumbent will primarily perform as an Interventional Radiology DRT in addition to performing diagnostic radiology when needed. Diagnostic radiology exams include routine to moderately complex examination procedures. These exams are achieved using diagnostic x-ray equipment such as fluoroscopic units, chest unit and general diagnostic units. Employees at this level are considered to be fully functional as an advanced DRT and are competent in carrying out assigned tasks independently. Major duties include but are not limited to: Receives patients, explains methods of procedures, obtains consent as authorized by radiologists, reviews charts for lab reports, history or possible problems so that this information may be transmitted to the radiologist. Positions patient, sets up appropriate protocol, and makes exposures necessary for exam. Advises scheduling team with regard to scheduling, duration of the study, rearranging patients to accommodate emergencies, etc. Maintains proper supplies (injectables, administration sets, etc.) Assists radiologist when performing CT or Ultrasound guided procedures. Prepares equipment, gathers supplies, and ensures availability of items necessary for the procedure. Understands and executes operation of the Ultrasound and CT equipment, including image acquisition, labeling, post-processing, and image transfer to PACS or other servers. Is required to participate in an active on-call schedule on a regular basis. Provides clinical assistant and evaluations of student radiology technicians during the course of their training. Has thorough knowledge of radiation protection standards, devices, and techniques, including concepts of accumulated dosage and genetic changes, effects of radiation on living organisms, and the effect of x-ray techniques on patient and operator exposure in order to assure that adequate safeguards are maintained, to recognize when changes in equipment or procedures might result in increased exposure, and to adopt methods to prevent such exposure. Knowledge of physiology and cross-sectional anatomy, such as the location, appearance, and function of various major and minor organ systems susceptible to radiologic exposure. Knowledge of basic aspects of physics, including the concepts of energy, electric power, and type of electrical power, and type of electrical circuits, construction and use of x-ray tubes and the properties of x-rays in order to understand the operation of x-ray equipment. Knowledge of radiographic exposure techniques, such as the use of formulas for determining technical factors and use of "wedges" to collimate the x-ray beams and "bolus bags" to reduce density discontinuities. Knowledge of basic nursing practices related to radiography such as emergency cardiac arrest procedures and use of oxygen to assist with breathing difficulties. Work Schedule: Various tours including day, night, weekends, holidays and on-call. Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 02844F EDRP Authorized: Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more 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 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).] 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 (Interventional Radiology), GS-09 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. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. 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. Assignment: [Interventional Radiography (IR). Technologists working in this special assignment may function as vascular interventional (VI), cardiac interventional (CI) and/or cardiovascular-interventional (CV) technologists which use specialized equipment to perform diagnostic angiographic procedures and complex vascular and nonvascular interventional and therapeutic procedures. This specialty requires additional knowledge of vascular systems and major vessel anatomy. The technologist must be knowledgeable in the specialized equipment employed for digital subtraction systems and interventional procedures. The technologist administers contrast media under the supervision of the staff radiologist and confers with the radiologist to establish requirements regarding contrast agents, vital signs, medications, and physiologic monitoring to perform procedures. IR technologist must be knowledgeable in digital imagining and PACS.] References: VA Handbook 5005, part II, Appendix G25 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-09 Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.

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 Palo Alto VA Medical Center 3801 Miranda Avenue Palo Alto, CA 94304 US
• Name: Timothy McBrian
• Email: [email protected]