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

Major Duties: Performs MRI examinations of various body systems. Responsible for ensuring all patients are thoroughly screened for contraindicated devices, medical conditions, or any other applicable hazard prior to entering the MRI environment. Responsible for explaining exams to competent patients, their family members, or surrogate(s) as appropriate so they can understand what is to be done as well as which hazards, if any, are possible. May be required by procedure or patient's condition to monitor vital signs, recognize allergic reactions and initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Perform general and specialized diagnostic imaging exams and procedures in advanced levels of complex treatment situations. Prepares and administers contrast materials under the direction of the radiologist for the purpose of performing exams requiring injectable solutions such as MR, myelography, Urograms, cystograms, cholangiograms fistulagrams and arthrography and for the purpose of performing oral and rectal exams of the GI tract. In the case of injected contrast media, a patient consent form must be obtained, when appropriate. These procedures require the use of needles, syringes, intravenous contrast agents, barium, enema bags and drinking cups. Responsible to the radiologists and supervisor for the quality and quantity of imaging exams performed in order to assure a high level of acceptability of imaging exams while minimizing patient dosage and reducing costs. Checks pertinent labs values and medications for contraindication to the exam to be performed and documents this is reviewed in the patient's record and/or applicable logbooks, spreadsheets, etc. as required. Practices MRI and radiation safety, maintains As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) standards, and participates in radiation safety committee meetings, as required, in order to reduce exposure to patient, staff and self. This is achieved using lead aprons, lead gloves, lead shields, lead-lined walls and collimation. As part of compliance with radiation safety regulations and guidelines the technologists/technicians must wear radiation exposure monitoring badge when in designated radiation areas. The incumbent must also be aware of and practice the safety policies/procedures of the medical center and participate in quality assurance activities as directed. Performs cutting-edge image processing and post processing procedures on advanced workstations and software as directed by the radiologist or as part of a given study. Maintains proficiency in advanced reconstruction techniques. Performs additional image processing such as loading and unloading cassettes on CR digitizers, adjusting image quality, providing additional reformats, and/or advance 3-D reconstructions when necessary or upon request, and prints images when required in order to provide adequate and properly processed imaging examinations. Maintains records and files of exams performed on patients. Edits and when necessary registers patients in the computerized Radiology Information System (RIS) as well as the work list management portion of the HIS-RIS interface. Maintains National Patient Safety Goals by properly identifying appropriate patient(s) for the proper exam or imaging study. Uses left and right markers. This is essential so that mistaken identity does not occur. The technologist must confirm the identification of the patient prior to beginning any study by using two (2) identifiers such as last name, VA ID number, last four numbers of the patient's SS number, date of birth or, in the case of ER or inpatients, the patients ID band. It is imperative that patient and the requested exam are identical. Performs radiographic exams at the bedside and in the operating rooms providing diagnostic x-rays to the surgeons and professional staff on patients that are unable to be x-rayed in the Radiology Service due to incapacity or surgical procedures. These exams are achieved using portable x-ray units and mobile intensifier units (C-Arms) that may be located in Surgery or other areas within the medical center. Assist radiologists in the less complex fluoroscopic examinations. Responsible for cleanliness and stocking adequate levels of supplies in assigned areas. Responsible for reporting equipment malfunctions or in a timely manner and placing equipment maintenance requests. May be required to perform diagnostic radiographic examinations during irregular emergency on-call hours, 24 hours per day, coverage. This requires that the technologist be available as soon as possible, but no longer than 30 minutes from receipt of call. Maintain certifications, organizational affiliations and/or accreditations. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 11:00PM - 7:00AM Functional Statement #: 000000 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

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).] [NOTE: Assignment to the clinical program director requires meeting JRCERT minimum educational standards as noted in the assignment description.] English Language Proficiency. DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and7407(d). 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. 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. 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: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MR). 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 (MR) certification.] Preferred Experience: Comfortable with GE MRI Scanner At least 1 yr. experience in hospital setting Experience with advanced studies such as cardiac, perfusion, and DTI 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. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds; Light carrying, under 15 pounds; Straight pulling (2 hours); Pushing (4 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (4 hours); Standing (4 hours); Kneeling (2 hours); Repeated bending (2 hours); 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; Hearing (aid may be permitted); Hearing without aid; mental and emotional stability. Environmental Factor: Radiant energy, Working closely with others, Working alone, Protracted or irregular hours of work; May come into contact with patients requiring the use of PPE.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address Audie L Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital 7400 Merton Minter Boulevard San Antonio, TX 78229 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]