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 Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (MRI) primarily performs Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Magnetic Resonance Angiography Imaging (MRA) of the head, neck, spine, chest, and body with the use of GE 1.5T and 3T scanners. They conduct complex MRI and MRA studies, including extremity run-offs, in-depth Cardiac studies, and Breast MRI, providing images of the head, neck, spine, chest and body. Assigned Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: Performs exams in a manner so as to optimize all of the radiographic equipment including the MRI scanner times while maintaining a flexibility to allow for emergency cases. Confers with radiologists to determine requirements of non-standard exams. Determines technical factors, positioning, number and thickness of scans, etc., to produce and satisfy requirements of MRI scanning. Schedules patients for examinations when needed in the Air Force Composite Health Care System (CHCS) and VA's VistA system. Notifies the radiologist of scans requiring their immediate attention. Works with the radiologist as a member of the radiographic team. Assists and anticipates the needs of the radiologists and the performance of the exam. Instructs MRI practices, fundamentals, scanning abilities, IV usage and techniques to MRI trainees and new MRI personnel. Uses power injectors for dynamic studies and inserts IV needles for administration of contrast material. Assures that MRI patients are screened in advance for any contraindicating conditions. Practices the safety policies and procedures of the medical center, and participates in quality assurance activities. Makes safety the highest priority and conducts safety screening according to established department and career field policies. Sends images to the Picture Archival Communications System (PACS) for image interpretation for both Air Force and VA systems. Monitors PACS to ensure exam completeness after sending. Maintains logbook of exams performed on patients. Identifies patient by following NCHCS and Air Force Patient Identification Policy. Asks each patient to actively confirm his or her name and social security number. Explains exams to patients. Counsels patient on contrast injection process, verifies patient lab values are safe prior to injection. Stocks and inventories of all MRI related imaging supplies and materials. Cleans and disinfects the scanner room, equipment and all accessories in accordance with Infection Control Standards. Reviews new developments in MRI imaging. Provides physicians and patients with the best possible images and scans for diagnostic purposes. Assumes various rotating schedules as determined by the Chief, Radiology Service. The rotation may include on-call coverage's, overtime, and alternate duty locations. Ensures crash cart checks at beginning of shift. Must be or able to become proficient and perform MRI and MR angiography; including extremity run-offs, in-depth Cardiac studies, and Breast MRI. These studies require the use of power injectors and reconstruction of images post image acquisition. Once trained and proficient the incumbent will train others. Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday, 0800 - 1630 Compressed/Flexible:Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement # FS#612-00724-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact Sue Bringel([email protected]) the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more 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). 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. Exception for Non-Certified, Entry Level Candidates. This exception only applies at the GS-5 entry level technician. For grade levels above the entry level, the candidate must be certified. Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA as a DRT 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 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. Physical Requirements. A physical examination will be conducted based on the physical requirements of the position. English Language Proficiency. Diagnostic Radiologic Technologists candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). GRADE REQUIREMENTS Creditable Experience: Knowledge of Current Radiologic Technology Practice. To be creditable, experience must have demonstrated possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics (also referred to as clinical competencies) associated with current radiologic technology practice. This may have been evidenced by the equivalent of one year of active practice, which is paid or nonpaid employment as a DRT as defined by ARRT. 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. Part-Time Experience. Part-time experience as a DRT is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time work week. For example, a DRT would receive one week of full- time credit for each two weeks of half-time work. Specialized Assignment: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). 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 (MRI) certification. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for appointment, the following criteria must be met for the GS-10 level. Advanced 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. 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 the following assignment: Advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist. Employees are trained to work in one or more difficult and complex modalities performing procedures related to these modalities as well as performing general diagnostic procedures. At this grade level, any assignment in a single modality must demonstrate significant complexity. Such assignments are unique, perhaps with expert specialization in complex areas of radiologic technology, Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) regulations, and intermediate QM type duties within the program. The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs: Knowledge of radiation protection standards, devices and techniques, including concepts of accumulated dosage, dose monitoring, and genetic changes. Ability to utilize advanced imaging software that supports complex imaging programs and recognize changes in equipment and procedures that might result in increased exposures, and ability to recommend methods to prevent such exposures. Knowledge of basic physics including concepts of energy, electric power, magnetic fields, and properties of x-ray, to understand the operation of the equipment. Knowledge and skill in positioning of patients for a wide variety of highly complex imaging (CT, MRI, IR, ultrasound, mammography) studies. Preferred Experience: References: VA Handbook 5005/119 PART II APPENDIX G25, December 13, 2019 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-10. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-10.

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 VA Northern California Health Care System 10535 Hospital Way Mather, CA 95655 US
• Name: Marisella Souza
• Phone: 925-356-4088
• Email: [email protected]