Summary

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. Program 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.

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)
• 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 2 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.] 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: (1) 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
• (2) 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
• (3) 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
• 3 (4) 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
• (5) 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 meeting the basic requirements stated above - the following qualifications criteria must be met in determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates
• GS 9 Preferred Experience: ARRT registered in MRI Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-9. Physical Requirements: The work requires long periods of standing and walking
• There is some bending - lifting - and carrying of light items such as coils
• Heavy lifting of totally incapacitated patients is done only with the help of other employees.

Duties

• The technologist interprets requests or instructions from the radiologist or clinicians
• Performs a spectrum of simple and advanced MRI exams following prescribed protocols required to perform procedures of the: Brain - Abdominal - Cardiac - MSK - Breast - Extremity - Urological - interventional planning and procedures with and without the use of contrast materials as directed by the radiologist
• Observes patients during procedures and reports complications or unusual events
• The technologist reconciles the patient's current medications then prepares and administers contrast material - and medication under the direction of the radiologist - according to protocols - assuring that current lab results and patient allergies have been checked
• Ensures the renal function of the patient is adequate for the given protocol and type of contrast as prescribed by the radiologist
• In the event of a contrast reaction must know how to safely move the patient from the MRI scanner table into zone 2 for emergency intervention in accordance with MRI safety policy
• Duties include but not limited to: The technologist will perform technical work in support of Diagnostic Imaging under the direction of a physician and assists the radiologist in complex exams and procedures
• The technologist will be required to operate all MRI equipment and will have knowledge of the required MR safety factors as outlined by the ACR and site-specific MR SOP
• Technologists coming in at this grade level are required to complete a training period where the policies - protocol - and procedures of NF/SG Diagnostic Imaging are introduced
• The incumbent will be exposed to the different aspects and rotations within MRI
• The training will include - but is not limited to - functionality of MRI equipment - routine and advanced imaging procedures - and patient safety
• The technologist will also be required to work a variety of off tour shifts gaining experience and exposure to different situations he/she may not encounter on a normal tour
• Technologist at this grade level is required be on Call-back status
• This is a 24-hour modality service and coverage either by call or in-house is always maintained
• The on-call technologist will also be utilized when off tour shift coverage is necessary on an emergency basis
• The technologist operates all MRI equipment - a variety of super conductive Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanners - highly complex computerized imaging device which employs the use of strong magnetic fields and radio waves to acquire images
• The employee will have knowledge of the required MR safety factors as outlined by the ACR and site-specific MR SOP
• VA Careers - Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist: https://youtube.com/embed/I-4ku5UMvWM Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Tues-Fri 09:00am-5:30 - Sat 07:30am-4:00pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact V8_EDRP_NFSG@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #:50675F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized