Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. This job is open to current permanent Department of Veterans Affairs employees, current permanent Federal employees of other agencies and all US Citizens. Area of Consideration - Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order: 1. Current permanent VA employees of the facility. 2. All other VA employees. 3. All other applicants.

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Major duties include, but are not limited to:

MRI
-Incumbent will be required to perform all aspects of MRI.
- Monitor patient during all phases of the examination, removing the patient from the influence of the magnetic field upon completion of the data acquisition.
- Coordinate with the radiologist and physicist to determine the most ideal pulse sequences and other parameters necessary to accomplish a high quality examination.
- Program all technical factors by integrating computer console and choose the most effective coil for producing the correct signal.
- Record all computer data, scanning data, on film , or optical disc, and P ACS.
- Maintains all monitoring data pertinent to patient and equipment information and usage.
- Performs and maintains a monitoring system for quality assurance purposes and complies with FDA Safety Standards regarding ferrous objects and cardiac pacemakers prior to these persons entering the environment of the 5 gauss magnetic field.
- Utilizing VISTA (Radiology Package) will schedule, register and status track all exams.
- Must maintain CPR certification
- Will ensure that all images are sent to VISTA/RAD upon completion of examination
- Reports all equipment problems to Supervisory Diagnostic Technologist or Chief Technologist.
- Employee has a responsibility to recognize and exhibit good safety practices, to comply with published and communicate safety procedures; to immediately report observed safety infractions and unsafe working conditions.
- Proactively identifies administrative, clinical or mechanical problems, and defines solutions thereof.
- Treats patients and visitors with courtesy and respect. Performs assigned duties with no supervision during irregular hours to insure adequate patient examinations.
- The incumbent advises the Radiologist of those examinations which require immediate attention while the patient is still undergoing the examination. The incumbent assists the radiologist in the administration of contrast material agents.
- The incumbent is responsible for setting up and positioning patients, provides immobilization devices, selects proper technical factors on an individual patient basis and operates the equipment. New equipment will be evaluated and new methods will be compared with existing methods.
- Interaction with physicians, scientists, physicists, computer programmers and manufactures' technical design engineers will be a normal occurrence of the daily duties of the operator, along with patient interactions.
- Monitor the examination by checking computations, performances and results of the selected parameters, to obtain the best diagnostic computer data and images. The incumbent performs clinical analysis of data recorded by the computer and records the computer data on film, magnetic tape and printer plotter paper or PACS.
- The incumbent uses computer programs with competence, and establishes and monitors quality control programs. Maintains operations log, maintenance and service reports. Maintains files on patient, computer data, and technical parameters of each examination.
- Ability to start lV's for contrast administration

Computed Tomography (CAT SCAN):
Examinations include, but are not limited to, CT examinations of the chest, abdomen, pelvis, head, extremities, neck, CT A, and multiple reconstruction formats. The incumbent will also assist the radiologist in performing interventional procedures under CT guidance.
- Transfer patients from stretcher or wheelchair to radiographic table
- Prepares oral and injectable contrast (IV contrast for injector)
- Follow prescribed protocols required to perform procedures
- Observes patients during procedures and reports complications or unusual events
- Performs daily maintenance of head and body phantoms
- Administer contrast material, completes forms (Patient Information Sheet, Consent form) under the direction of the radiologist, according to protocols.
- Check and make minor adjustments to equipment as needed/reports major problems/concerns to supervisor
- Practice hospital safety, radiation safety, infection control and universal precautions at all times in accordance with age and/or gender specific departmental procedures
- The incumbent is responsible for the quality assurance of the images (positioning/label/technique/network information) prior to transmission to the PAC's network. The incumbent assists house staff in use of VISTA/IMAGING and transmits images to off site location for after hour reads.
- Provide education to patients and their families on Imaging procedures

Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 12:30 pm to 9:00 pm. The incumbent will also participate in on-call to provide 24 hour, 7 day a week; will also participate in the departmental in-service program.
Telework: Not Authorized
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• 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.

• 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.

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, 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.] (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.
• Loss of Credential: An employee in this occupation who fails to obtain certification within two years, or who fails to maintain the required certification must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment.

1. 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.
2. Employees are trained to work in one or more difficult and complex modalities performing procedures related to these modalities as well as performing general diagnostic procedures. At this grade level, any assignment in a single modality must demonstrate significant complexity. Such assignments are unique, perhaps with expert specialization in complex areas of radiologic technology, Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) regulations, and intermediate QM type duties within the program.
3. The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs:

• 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 (CT, MRI, IR, ultrasound, mammography) studies.

• Light to Moderate lifting and carrying, up to 44 pounds
• Straight pulling and/or reaching above shoulders
• Use of both hands and fingers required
• Walking, standing, crawling and/or kneeling
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4
• Depth perception and ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors; hearing (aid permitted)

How you will be evaluated

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

This job is open to current permanent Department of Veterans Affairs employees, current permanent Federal employees of other agencies and all US Citizens.

Area of Consideration - Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order:
1. Current permanent VA employees of the facility.
2. All other VA employees.
3. All other applicants.

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.