The Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (DRT) (CV)(R) position is located in the Imaging Service at the Charles George VA Medical Center, Asheville, NC. The incumbent is cross-trained to be proficient in two imaging modalities: CV (Cardiovascular-Interventional) and R (General Radiography). Under general supervision, operate angiography, radiography and fluoroscopy equipment to obtain diagnostic images of patients, and provide guidance for invasive procedures to diagnose and treat disease.

Duties

Duties include: Provide patient-centered care in the performance of duties. Coordinate care to provide timely service in support of various clinical presentations.Receive patients, confirm patient identification, obtain patient history, provide patient education, provide reassurance and ensure patient comfort, screen for risks and contraindications, assist in medication reconciliation, screen for duplicate exams that would result in unnecessary radiation exposure, assess patient during and after exam for adverse reactions or complications. Continually assess the condition and needs of patients to ensure patient safety, comfort and privacy. Review requests for appropriateness before performing exams. Use appropriateness criteria, clinical history, patient interview and chart review as resources. Communicate with the ordering provider as needed for clarification. Present inappropriate or deficient requests to the Supervisory DRT (CV), Supervisory DRT (R) or radiologist. Apply radiation safety practices, including the concepts of time, distance and shielding, and the ALARA principle of keeping radiation exposure to As Low as Reasonably Achievable. Integrate knowledge of accumulated dosage and genetic effects related to patient age and sex, and risks of tissue and organ injury in the performance of exams. Screen for pregnancy to prevent unintended radiation exposure to a fetus, checking serum beta HCG of female patients with any potential of being pregnant. Screen imaging history and pending imaging orders to prevent unnecessary radiation from redundant exams. Discontinue duplicate orders. Perform general maintenance operations on equipment such as warm-up and shut down sequences, calibration, QC and basic troubleshooting. Maintain logs to document equipment performance history and malfunctions. Provide assistance to service engineers, OI&T staff and service support with basic troubleshooting on imaging devices, computer systems and PACS to help resolve issues. Work Schedule: Intermittent Telework: No Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

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. Must be certified in general radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT)(R); AND Advanced ARRT certification for Computed Tomography (CT) is required for this position. NOTE: Experience is only creditable if it was earned after completion of the basic ARRT certification requirements. Experience as a graduate DRT is creditable provided the candidate functioned as a DRT and subsequently passed the certification examination. 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. Physical Requirements. Must be able to pass a pre-employment physical. English Language Proficiency. Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA policy. 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 for GS-9: At least 1 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. 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 (*): i. *Ability to balance the needs of patients and staff while still performing complex scans and procedures. ii. Knowledge of techniques for gathering relevant information from the medical record, significant others, and health care providers. iii. *Ability to assess factors that may contraindicate the procedure. iv. Knowledge of basic first aid and basic life support practices related to radiography. v. Knowledge of physical assessment, aseptic techniques, intravenous methods and techniques and universal precautions. (Your experience must be detailed in your résumé to receive full credit.) Preferred Experience: Interventional Radiology Procedures Experience References: VA Handbook 5005/119 Part II Appendix G25 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting & carrying (15-44 lbs); Straight pulling and pushing (Up to 7 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking and standing (Up to 7 hours); Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision 20/50 and 20/100; Emotional/mental stability.

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 Charles George VA Medical Center 1100 Tunnel Road Asheville, NC 28805 US
• Name: Cesar Busanet
• Phone: 980-401-2564
• Email: [email protected]