Summary

This position functions as the supervisor for the MRI section. This will include MRI technologists - and may include other MRI support staff. Assists in the evaluation of new products and equipment - and makes recommendations to management regarding upgrades and/or new purchases that would improve operations. Informs higher level management of anticipated staffing issues and recommends promotions - reassignments - or other personnel changes.

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: All applicants must be certified in general radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT) (R)
• Advanced ARRT certification is required for assignments that include computed tomography (CT) - magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• 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)
• English Language Proficiency: DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d)
• 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: Supervisory Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist GS-10 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
• Demonstrated 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 (*)
• Knowledge of radiation protection standards - devices and techniques - including concepts of accumulated dosage - dose monitoring - and genetic changes
• 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
• Knowledge of basic physics including concepts of energy - electric power - magnetic fields - and properties of x-ray - to understand the operation of the equipment
• Knowledge and skill in positioning of patients for a wide variety of highly complex imaging studies
• *Ability to analyze organizational - technical - and administrative problems and to develop and implement solutions that result in efficient section operation
• Ability to evaluate quality management procedures and processes
• *Ability to analyze and use data effectively to manage workload - quality - performance - and productivity
• *Skill in developing new policies and guidelines as needed
• Skill in problem solving and conflict resolution
• 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-10
• Physical Requirements: This employee functions in direct patient care
• Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (DRT) and or Medical Instrument Technologist (MIT) work requires long periods of standing and/or walking up to 8 hours or more
• There is repeated bending - pushing/pulling - reaching above shoulders - use of both hands (hands and fingers) - twisting and carrying of moderately heavy articles weighing from 15-44 pounds as well as wearing lead aprons
• Movement and manipulation of moderately heavy equipment - some of which may be power assisted - moving portable machines - hospital beds - gurneys - wheelchairs - and patent lift equipment
• Positioning of patients who are disabled may require considerable effort and working in awkward positions
• Heavy lifting of incapacitated patients to be done with assistance from other employees and various Safe Patient Handling & Mobility devices (i.e
• EZ-MAT - overhead lifts - slider boards - etc.) provided by the Radiology Section
• this equipment should be utilized as per all local and national standards and expectations.

Duties

• Duties and responsibilities include - but are not limited to: Assists in the creation and enforcement of all appropriate policies - standards and regulations that guide and direct the safe and efficient operation of the MRI section
• Possesses specialized knowledge of cross-sectional anatomy and how it relates to image acquisition
• Informs higher level management of anticipated staffing issues and recommends promotions - reassignments - or other personnel changes - including but not limited to retention or release of probationary employees and recommending recognition of superior performance in the section
• Performs Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) of the head - neck spine - chest and body and extremities
• Directly responsible for overseeing the work of the MRI technologists (staff and / or students) and various support staff in the section
• Develops daily - weekly - and monthly assignment schedules based on workload - approve all leave - prepare annual leave schedules - participate in selection of new employees - employee promotions - establish performance requirements - appraise - rate and counsel employees and attempt to solve personnel problems
• Responsible for monitoring and maintaining adequate and appropriate inventory of supplies necessary for the efficient operations of the MRI section
• Schedules exams in a manner to optimize access - safety - quality and efficiency for the MRI section
• Confers with radiologists to determine requirements and modifications for non-standard exams or specific patient conditions that require protocol modifications
• Assists in the determination of various technical factors including positioning - number and thickness of slices and types of sequences necessary to produce the best possible images under the specific circumstances
• Works with the radiologist as a member of the radiographic team
• Maintains records and files of exams performed on patients
• This includes patient logbooks - requisition and editing of patient exams in the Radiology Information System (RIS) - copying of films - etc
• Properly identifies patient through the RIS interface identifier and uses appropriate left/right markers when needed
• Assures that MRI patients are screened in advance for any contraindicating conditions per Radiology Service policy and other pertinent guiding documents
• Responsible to explain exams to competent patients so that patients understand what is to be done as well as what hazards - if any - are possible
• Reviews new developments in MRI and general imaging to stay current on evolving technologist related standard practice
• Is on alert to improve quality of relevant examinations and open to learning and utilizing new and appropriately vetted and management sanctioned technologies or techniques as they become available within the VA system
• Performs irregular hour emergency scans on-call - including possible 24hours per day - coverage as per local and national regulations allow
• This requires that the technologist be available as soon as possible - but no longer than 60 minutes from receipt of call
• Work Schedule: Monday through Friday - 7:30am-4:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized