Career Center

The incumbent supports departmental use of and implementation of the policies and procedures in Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) and utilizes VISTA to support the management of all radiology orders. He/She coordinates with each section on the integration and the consistent implementation of various programs and procedures at the service level. 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: a. Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g.) b. 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.] c. 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).] (1) 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. (2) Exception for Non-Certified, Entry Level Candidates. Non-certified DRTs who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for ARRT (R) certification may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate DRT under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B). The appointing official may waive the requirement of certification for a period not to exceed two years for a DRT that provides care under the supervision of a certified DRT at or above the full performance level. This exception only applies at the GS-5 entry level technician. For grade levels above the entry level, the candidate must be certified. Temporary appointments of non-certified DRTs may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment. Quality Management Technologist (QM). [The technologist] performs daily inspection of radiographic units to ensure proper mechanical functionality. [ ] [The technologist] ensures daily functionality of CR readers. [The technologist] provides in-service training to technologists and other personnel involved in the operation and maintenance, CR readers, DR panels and other PACS type of operations maintained within the department. [The technologist] coordinates [ ] scheduling of preventative maintenance for modalities either through biomedical engineering or local contractor service. [The technologist] works with physicists to ensure compliance with radiation safety program and for acceptance testing of all new installations of equipment. [The technologist] maintains accurate records, as required by management, for quality assurance analysis, quality control, performance improvement, and other related purposes. 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: (1) 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. (2) 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: (a) [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 (*): 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. vi. Knowledge of pre-procedural, procedural, and post-procedural care of patients. References: VA Handbook 5005/119, Part II, Appendix G25, Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist Qualification Standards, dated December 13, 2019. The full performance level of this vacancy is 9. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS 9. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (45 pounds and over); Moderate carrying (15-44 pounds), Straight pulling (1 hour), Reaching above shoulder, use of fingers; both hands required; walking (4 hours) standing (6 hours); Repeated bending (1 hour), both legs required; Ability to rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, Near vision correctable to 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; depth perception, ability to distinguish basis colors; ability to distinguish shades of colors; mental and emotional stability. ["The incumbent provides planning, guidance and oversight of departmental QM program, Management of Radiology Orders, as well as working at a full performance level as a licensed DRT at the same level of advanced development. The incumbent serves as a specialist providing support in the operation/ management of digital image processing, knowledge, skills, and other characteristics needed to provide radiologic technology services of the specialized area of a licensed DRT at the Atlanta VA. The incumbent will be responsible for all radiology technical adequacy regarding assigned Advanced DRT requirements. The work involves ensuring daily functionality of radiology equipment. Incumbent will coordinate preventative maintenance services with the imaging modality supervisors and biomedical engineering as needed. Incumbent works with the supervisors and physicists to ensure compliance with radiation safety program for acceptance testing of all new installations of equipment and annual physicists' reports as necessary. Will maintain accurate records and reports, as required by management, for quality assurance analysis, quality control, performance improvement, and other related purposes when needed. The incumbent is responsible for ensuring that communications are operational for all Clinical sites, including Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC's), and Community Care referrals pertaining to the orders for patients within the surrounding area. The incumbent's ability to accomplish objectives by collaborating with various referred vendors regarding complex order results affect the efficiency of operations, and quality of data processing products and services, and the adequacy of data used in subject matter processes. He / She assists and maintains a quality control program for digital radiographic images to include, but not necessarily be restricted to, evaluation of image quality from modality thru a viewing monitor(s). The incumbent is responsible for the assessment of imaging quality throughout the \"imaging chain\"; from exam production, if available to the arrival of the image into the modality processing computer, transfer of the image from the modality to the PACS, ensuring the electronic matching of the images with the Radiology report via Voice Recognition dictation system. Incumbent ensures DRT functions are completed in daily operations. Performs general and/ or Advanced Technology duties within Radiology Service. Incumbent ensures acceptable system performance levels by utilizing various tools for monitoring performance, capacity planning, imaging management maintenance to adjust system and operation parameters as necessary. Practical knowledge quality control regarding all aspects of equipment and Radiation Safety and maintains daily functions of equipment and other types of operations within the department as needed. Incumbent has extensive knowledge of a wide range of analytical and diagnostic methods and procedures. He/ She should be knowledge of Quality Control methods to evaluate and monitor the imaging techniques of technologists in each imaging modality. Incumbent ensures that documentation is maintained daily regarding departmental QC programs and equipment and notifies imaging service management officials and biomedical engineers if results deviate outside acceptable tolerances. Ensures adequate documentation s maintained on Advanced Staff Radiologic Technologist systems and Radiology Orders Management to trend analysis of data. Incumbent provides impartial data to front line supervisors pertaining to technologist's efficiency and expertise of imaging to aid them i1 oversight and training of those techs who fall short of established guidelines. The incumbent maintains accurate records as required by management and Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) for quality assurance analysis, quality control, performance improvement and other related purposes. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30a.m- 4:30p.m\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #:51575F\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nEDRP Authorized: Tran Brunsberg, tran.brunsberg@va.gov or Lena Gowder, lena.gowder@va.gov, your EDRP Coordinators for any additional Information.\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]