Advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist

Summary Assignment to this position functions as an Advanced DRT - Vascular Interventional (VI), Cardiac Interventional (CI), and/or Cardiovascular-Interventional (CV) within the Radiology Department of the Cincinnati VA Medical Center.
This vacancy may be used to fill additional positions.
Responsibilities VA Healthcare System Serving Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan (VISN 10) advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers.
This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest.
As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran.
This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community.
This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.
Major Duties: Complies with VHA regulations and various accreditation(s) and enforces compliance with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA); Privacy Act; Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS); local, state, and federal laws/regulations, processes, procedures and prepares for accreditation or other similar inspections.
The technologist interprets the requests or instructions from the Radiologist or clinician.
Receives assignments for a variety of difficult examinations and works independently.
Follows departmental Policy and Procedure Manual.
The technologist understands and carries out the requests made by providers or seeks assistance of the Supervisor or Radiologist when an uncommon, unique, or new procedure is required.
Performs image reconstructions and post processing procedures on advanced workstations as directed by the radiologist or as part of a given study.
Maintains proficiency on reconstruction techniques.
Performs additional image processing such as loading and unloading cassettes on CR digitizers, adjusting image quality, providing additional reformats when necessary or upon request, and printing images when required to provide adequate and properly processed diagnostic imaging examinations.
Reviews new developments in the field and recommends to supervisor those that would improve the operation of the section.
The technologist is responsible for ensuring that they have a proper working knowledge of the PACS system.
This includes ensuring that all images are transmitted correctly.
Use specialized equipment to perform diagnostic angiographic procedures and complex vascular and nonvascular interventional and therapeutic procedures requiring additional knowledge of vascular systems and major vessel anatomy.
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.
Perform general diagnostic procedures as needed.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Work Schedule: Tour of Duty to be discussed during interview process.
Multiple tours may be available.
Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 92645-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.
Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
You may be required to serve a probationary period.
Subject to background/security investigation.
Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
Must pass pre-employment physical examination, if required.
Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.
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.
English Language Proficiency.
DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C.
7402(d), and 7407(d).
Education Requirement - You must have completed 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).
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.
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 10 Experience: Have at least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS 9) 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.
Assignments: 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.]
The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs: i.
Knowledge of radiation protection standards, devices and techniques, including concepts of accumulated dosage, dose monitoring, and genetic changes.
ii.
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.
iii.
Knowledge of basic physics including concepts of energy, electric power, magnetic fields, and properties of x-ray, to understand the operation of the equipment.
iv.
Knowledge and skill in positioning of patients for a wide variety of highly complex imaging (CT, MRI, IR, ultrasound, mammography) studies.]
Preferred Experience: Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist-Cardiac Interventional Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
Physical Requirements: The physical demands of the work require long periods of standing, walking, and sitting.
Work involves constant bending, lifting, twisting, and carrying moderately heavy items such as cassettes.
When performing special procedures, he/she must wear a protective lead apron weighing approximately five-nine pounds.
The work requires pushing wheelchair and stretcher patients.
Positioning patients who are unconscious or disabled requires considerable effort and working in awkward positions.
Lifting of totally incapacitated patients is done only with the help of other employees.
Work Environment: Work is performed in a health care setting.
Work may involve exposure to infection and possible contagious diseases.
Standard precautions and isolation techniques will be employed as indicated.
There is occasion where response to physical and/or verbal abuse by patients requires knowledge gained from ongoing violence in the workplace training.
Working conditions include outside and inside work, exposure to radiant energy, constant noise.
(machinery/equipment), working around hazardous machinery with moving parts, working closely with others.
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/.
Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee.
Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience.
This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave.
Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions.
Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply.
The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy).
VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations.
If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date.
The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer.
For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.