Primary purpose of the Position: The incumbent works as an Advance Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist- Cardiovascular Interventional (CV). Technologist in this position serves as a team member who provides complex imaging procedures to perform diagnostic and therapeutic non-invasive procedures. The Organizational Location of the Position: Interventional Radiology section of the Radiology Service, VA North Texas Healthcare System, Main Campus, Dallas, Texas.

Duties

Duties include but are not included to: Prepares patient for requested procedure to include but not limited to: (1) Correctly identifies the patient conforming to the JCAHO national patient safety goals. (2) Ensures patient clothing is compatible with the area of interest and aid as necessary. (3) Explains procedure and ensures patient questions are answered to the scope of their understanding. (4) Verifies patient allergies. Maintains electronic patient records as follow: (1) Safeguards patient information as established by the Institution's policies and regulations. (2) Ensures proper request has been submitted for the procedure to be performed. (3) Ensures all CPT codes have been properly applied and closed out in order to capture the workload performed by IR staff and ancillary services. Prepares Interventional Radiology procedures utilizing surgical sterile techniques: (1) Applies Infection control practices when setting up table, trays and procedural site preparation. (2) Adheres to the Facility sterile process and procedures prior to, during, and after procedure. (3) Understands the use and need of protective devices Performs tasks with minimal to no supervision from the Interventional Radiologist: (1) Obtains hemostasis post vascular procedures. (2) Performs Gastric tube and percutaneous drain checks. (3) Securement of various drainage and connecting tubes. Demonstrates knowledge of proper use and administration of contrast agents normally used in the interventional suite: (1) Knowledge of various indications and contraindications for contrast medium; including contrast reactions symptoms and immediate treatments. (2) Knowledge of location and correct use of emergency medical equipment required to control adverse contrast media reactions. Demonstrates accurate knowledge of equipment and supplies used in a modern Angio/ Interventional suite: (1) Knowledge of use and function of all guidewires, angiographic catheters and dilation catheters. Knowledge of use and function of all accessory devices used in Angio suite- drains, caps, pressure lines, various stopcocks, manifolds, and sheaths. (2) Knowledge of use and function of thrombectomy devises, balloon catheter, stents, endovascular filters and different embolization devices. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:30pm, rotating weekly stand by call/holidays Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized 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 (ARRT) (R). Education. Completion of a full-time training course of at least 24 months duration (or the equivalent) in a post-high school diagnostic radiologic technology program, evidenced by a certificate or an associate's degree, accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) or from schools accredited by the ARRT and certification by the ARRT in radiology. 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 Department of Education, and be certified as radiographers in their field. 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). Grade Determinations GS 9 DRT (Above Full Performance): 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 one of the following assignments: 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. 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: 1. *Ability to balance the needs of patients and staff while still performing complex scans and procedures. 2. Knowledge of techniques for gathering relevant information from the medical record, significant others, and health care providers. 3. *Ability to assess factors that may contraindicate the procedure. 4. Knowledge of basic first aid and basic life support practices related to radiography. 5. Knowledge of physical assessment, aseptic techniques, intravenous methods and techniques and universal precautions. 6. Knowledge of pre-procedural, procedural, and post-procedural care of patients. Preferred Experience: Specialized knowledge of cross sectional anatomy and how it relates to the soft tissues and vessels of the human body PACS-Ensures completion of examination by following proper procedures to transmit images to PACS immediately after the exam. Demonstrates safe radiation work practice appropriate for the position. Demonstrate and verbalize proper procedures. Infection Control. Understands , demonstrates appropriate hygiene methods and infection control Administers contrast media under the supervision of the staff radiologist and confers with the radiologist to establish requirements with reference to contrast agents, vital signs, medications, and physiologic monitoring to perform procedures Knowledge of vascular systems and major vessel anatomy. References: VA Handbook 5005/77, Part II, Appendix G25, Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist Qualification Standard, GS-647. December 13, 2019. The full performance level of this vacancy is the GS-09 Physical Requirements: Heavy Lifting (45 pounds and over) Heavy Carrying (45 pounds and over) Pulling hand over hand (1 hour) Pushing (2 hours) Reaching above shoulder Use of fingers Walking (3 hours) Standing (3 hours) Repeated bending (1 hour) Both legs required Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4 Hearing (aid may be permitted)

Education

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

IF YOU DO NOT SUBMIT TRANSCRIPTS WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO DETERMINE IF YOU MEET THE CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS.

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

Contacts

• Address Dallas VA Medical Center 4500 South Lancaster Road Dallas, TX 75216 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]