The technologist operates various types of IR/CT/X-ray equipment in the Radiology department and throughout the hospital. Interventional technologists use specialized equipment to perform diagnostic angiographic procedures and complex vascular and nonvascular interventional and therapeutic procedures.

Duties

Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf General IR/CT/DRT Functions: I/R technologist functions (30%): Examinations performed include, but are not limited to, visceral and peripheral angiography, venograms, fistulagrams, chemo-embolizations, thoracentesis, paracentesis, kyphoplasties, as well as other complex interventional radiography procedures. Explains procedures, positions patient for desired results and cushions and shield patients as appropriate. Prepares room, equipment and material needed for all patient procedures: sets up sterile tray maintaining sterile technique for exam table and supplies, properly labels all contrast and other medication being used for the procedure, and organized all necessary supplies (catheters, balloons, stents, etc.) for each case. Will scrub in to assist Interventional Radiologist with complex examinations, assisting with handling of required sterile wires, catheters, and supplies, while operating the table and x-ray producing equipment. Knowledge of ultrasound machine operation, sterile prep of probes, and cleaning probes. Observes patient during procedures, assists nursing staff monitoring vitals during exams, and reports complications or unusual events. Maintains a clean work area and adequate level of supplies within the assigned work area at all times and ensures infection prevention steps are adhered to. Practices radiation safety, adhering to "As Low As Reasonably Achievable" (ALARA), to reduce exposure to patient, staff, and self by selecting appropriate exposure controls and utilizing appropriate lead shielding. Responsible for the quality assurance of the images from the angiographic equipment, CT, or ultrasound prior to the transmission to the PACs network. Provides coverage throughout shift and after to complete I/R procedures thus ensuring continuity of care and patient safety. Independently performs I/R examinations, confers as needed with the Interventional Radiologist regarding nonstandard or atypical exams and determines technical factors, positioning, and modifies protocol per the Radiologist direction and guidance. Technologist completes fluoroscopy training and CT dose reduction training in talent management system (TMS) annually. Diagnostic Radiology, CT, DEXA, Surgery and Portable Technologist (70%): Professionally trained Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist who performs standardized and complex exams independently. Performs exams to American Registry of Radiologic Technologist (ARRT) specification. Practices radiation safety to reduce exposure to patients, staff, and self and follows ALARA principle. Supervises and trains x-ray students. Assists surgery cases, bronchoscopies, and pain clinic injections with the use of a C-arm. Completes portable x-ray exams throughout the hospital (surgery, recovery, ER, ICU, inpatient areas, etc.)Completes dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) exams accurately for radiologist diagnosis. Functions as file room support, checking in patients, burning compact discs (CD), importing outside imaging studies into PACS, and mailing CD's with reports to outside providers. Properly identifies the patient and body part to be imaged. Performs CT exams of the head, neck, spine, chest, and body, with/without the use of contrast materials, utilizing established protocols on outpatients, as well as patients from the emergency room (ER), intensive care unit (ICU), and various wards. Patient labs are checked prior to receiving intravenous (IV) contrast to ensure labs are within normal safe levels. Responsibilities include starting IV's prior to injection and administering oral contrast as dictated by protocol. Possesses knowledge of various gauges of IV catheters, peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) lines, and power ports, and determines which are suitable for power injector use. Provides clinical instruction to students from affiliated programs and ensures compliance with program objectives. Utilizes Veterans Information System and Technology Architecture (VISTA) to register and case exams and Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) to determine patient history, allergies, medications, and to document IV contrast administration. Independently performs CT examinations and confers with radiologist regarding nonstandard examinations and determines technical factors, positioning, image reformats, and image reconstructions. Sends to off-site radiologists for short turnaround time (STAT) reads after normal business hours, weekends, and holidays. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday varied day tours-with on call-will be communicated during interview process Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): May Be Authorized for Highly Qualified Candidates Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. 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). 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. 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), and 7407(d). 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. 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 DRT 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 DRT. NOTE: Each uncertified VHA DRT 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. 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: In addition to the basic requirements for appointment, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates: Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist, GS-9 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. Examples of experience include: ability to check system for operation and assess acceptable performance based on established guidelines, knowledge of calibration parameters and the ability to make adjustments as needed, knowledge of patient's clinical record, diagnosis, and laboratory results, ability to monitor patient's physiologic changes during the procedure and keep the radiologist informed, skill in using tact, diplomacy, and courtesy in dealings with the customer base, patients, staff, family, visitors, and volunteers, knowledge of anatomy and physiology, and cross-sectional anatomy, recognizing unusual images, and determining proper positioning to best demonstrate areas of interest 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. [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 5005/119 Part II Appendix G25The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9. Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with 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 VA Nebraska-Western Iowa HCS - Omaha 4101 Woolworth Avenue Omaha, NE 68105 US
• Name: Glenda Abfalter
• Phone: 3202556480 X5201
• Email: [email protected]