Videos

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

• Receives/Interpret Exam Requests- Receives written requests or instructions for procedures. Interprets the requests or instructions from Radiologists or medical officer.
• Receives assignments for a variety of difficult examinations. Independently interprets and carries out the requests made by physicians.
• Receives and instructs on the occasion for very difficult assignments or examinations. Employee understands and carries out the requests made by physicians or seeks assistance of the supervisor when an uncommon, unique or new procedure is required, or if clarification of the request is needed.
• Secures Patients Confidence/ Cooperation - Secures the confidence and cooperation of patients during procedures. Independently explains procedures, positions the patient for optimal results, and cushions and shields patients as appropriate.
• Varies the procedure or positions to adjust for patients' medical condition, and body habitus. Independently explains procedures and positions patients for very difficult procedures.
• Administers contrast materials orally, by enema, or in some circumstances, intravenously under the supervision of a Radiologist, or other Physician, or medical officer.
• Analyzes the patient's needs, determines and selects the technical factors for optimum diagnostic quality, sets the controls and operates equipment.
• Performs quality control procedures as required and maintains an adequate level of supplies and safety equipment.
• Operates Radiology Equipment - Operates Direct Radiography (DR) equipment and Computerized Radiography (CR) equipment as well as PACS related equipment.
• Independently performs all routine and specialized radiographic examinations of head, spine, trunk, G.I. track, urological system and extremities for diagnosis of illness or injuries.
• Maintains supplies needed to perform all examinations in the assigned room or area.
• All other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: 7:30 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday
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 #: 07764F, 07765F, 07766F, 07767F

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.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

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:

• Citizenship: Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with VA Policy)
• English Language: Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d).
• Certification: Must be certified in general radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT) (R). You must submit a copy of this certification.
• Education: Must have completed 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 American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) and certification by the ARRT in radiology.

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 Department of Education, and be certified as radiographers in their field. 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 2 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. For grade levels above the entry level, the candidate must be certified.

GRADE DETERMINATIONS: In addition to the basic requirements for appointment, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates:

GS-5 DRT: Experience or Education: None beyond the basic requirements listed above

GS-6 LEVEL: Experience: At least one (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-5) level which typically includes operating and monitoring commonly used equipment performing routine procedures under general supervision functioning somewhat independently in carrying out standardized procedures of limited complexity.
OR
Education: The successful completion of one full academic year of graduate education leading to a degree in radiography or other directly related field to diagnostic radiology/imaging.

In addition, candidates must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of basic technique standards for minimum radiographic exposure.
• Knowledge of anatomy and positioning.
• Knowledge of all patient safety procedures.
• Knowledge of radiographic producing equipment.
• Ability to learn basic computer functions.

GS-7 DRT Experience: At least one (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-6) level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level. Experience includes performing a substantially full range of duties but receiving guidance and directions regarding unfamiliar or unusual situations for more complex patient issues.
OR
Education: The successful completion of one full academic year of graduate education leading to a degree in radiography or other directly related field to diagnostic radiology/imaging; or successful completion of an advanced registry program, with certification, in addition to a 4-year baccalaureate degree program in radiography or other directly related field to diagnostic radiology/imaging. Education may relate to the duties of a specific position or to the occupation but must be appropriate for the position being filled.

In addition, candidates must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the technical adequacy of the digital image, including the ability to adjust the image quality in the digital system.
• Knowledge of different contrast material required for the requested study.
• Knowledge of radiation protection standards, minimum radiographic exposure techniques, appropriate beam, limitation to anatomical area, and employing lead shielding when performing standard or fluoroscopic procedures.
• Knowledge of the function of computed radiography, CR readers and Digital Imaging systems.
• Knowledge of PACS and basic computer skills

GS-8 DRT Experience: At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-7) level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level. Experience includes providing services in specialized areas of radiologic technology and/or general radiologic technology services.

In addition, candidates must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to check system for operation and assess acceptable performance based on established guidelines.
• Knowledge of calibration parameters and the ability to make adjustments as needed.
• Knowledge of patient's clinical record, diagnosis, and laboratory results.
• Ability to monitor patient's physiologic changes during the procedure and keep the radiologist informed.
• Skill in using tact, diplomacy, and courtesy in dealings with the customer base, patients, staff, family, visitors, and volunteers.
• Knowledge of anatomy and physiology, and cross-sectional anatomy, recognizing unusual images, and determining proper positioning to best demonstrate areas of interest

References: VA Handbook 5005/119 Part II Appendix G25. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office.

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-5 to GS-8.

Physical Requirements: The employee works and functions in the medical center in a safe manner, including infection control and the correct operation of equipment.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.