Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

Videos

The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

VA Careers - Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist: https://youtube.com/embed/I-4ku5UMvWM
Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

FUNCTIONS OR SCOPE OF ASSIGNED DUTIES:

1. Serves as the principal advisor to executive leadership on all matters related to diagnostic imaging (radiology) and pathology/laboratory medicine services.
2. Directs, plans, organizes, and coordinates the overall administrative and clinical operations of the Diagnostics Service, ensuring integration and efficient delivery of high-quality diagnostic services to Veterans.
3. Develops and implements short- and long-range strategic plans, goals, and objectives aligned with VA mission, VHA Diagnostic Services Program Office(s) guidance, and facility priorities.
4. Ensures compliance with all applicable federal regulations, VHA directives (e.g., related to test result communication, quality assurance, radiation safety, and laboratory standards),accreditation requirements (TJC, ACR for imaging, CAP/CLIA for pathology/lab), and national VA policies.
5. Provides technical and administrative supervision to a multidisciplinary team including diagnostic radiologic technologists, sonographers, nuclear medicine techs, medical physicists, medical technologists, laboratory technicians, administrative support staff, and other personnel (roughly 42 FTEs located at 2 separate medical centers geographically separated by 90 miles and one CBOC with full imaging and laboratory service).
6. Recruits, interviews, and select qualified staff; ensures ongoing training, competency assessments, and professional development to maintain high standards and adapt to evolving technologies.
7. Quality Assurance, Patient Safety, and Performance Improvement
8. Oversee quality control/quality assurance programs for diagnostic imaging and laboratory/pathology services, including monitoring accuracy, turnaround times, critical value reporting, and error reduction.
9. Monitors key performance indicators (e.g., imaging exam volumes, report turnaround, lab test accuracy, patient wait times) and implements process improvements using Lean/Methodologies.
10. Ensures timely and accurate communication of test results to providers and patients per VHA Directive 1088 and related policies.
11. Provides oversight for a full range of diagnostic modalities including general radiography, fluoroscopy, CT, MRI, ultrasound, nuclear medicine/PET, interventional radiology support, anatomic/clinical pathology, cytology, hematology, chemistry, microbiology, and blood bank/transfusion services.
12. Collaborates with radiologists, pathologists, and other clinicians to ensure diagnostic services meet clinical needs and support accurate, timely diagnoses.
13. Manages PACS/RIS systems, LIS (laboratory information systems), integration with EHR(CPRS/VistA), and informatics to support efficient workflow, image/result sharing, and data security.
14. Oversees radiation safety program (as applicable), including compliance with NRC/VA radiation protection standards, equipment calibration, shielding evaluations, and staff training.
15. Serves as liaison with other clinical services, facility leadership, VISN Diagnostic Services leads, and external entities (e.g., academic affiliates, vendors, regulatory bodies).
16. Supports research, education, and training programs through internships and academic affiliations related to diagnostics.
17. Requires advanced knowledge of diagnostic technologies, regulatory compliance, and healthcare management.
18. Directly supervises one GS-13 laboratory manager, one GS-12 Laboratory Manager, and oneGS-12 Radiology Supervisor.

Work Schedule: Full-time; The tour of duty will be discussed during interview.
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Questions can be sent to VHA.ELRSProgramSupport@va.gov
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
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)
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: Available for Ad-Hoc
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000

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.

Qualifications

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 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).
  • 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.
• Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
• Driving Requirements: A valid driver's license is required for this position due to the possibility of driving a government vehicle when traveling to the alternate sites of care.
• English Language Proficiency. DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d).

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

Diagnostic Radiological Technologist GS-13:
The incumbent serves as the Chief of Diagnostics at the VA Black Hills Health Care System. The Diagnostics Integrated Clinical Community (ICC) encompasses Radiology and Laboratory services. He/She has direct line supervisory responsibility for department managers. The incumbent has direct responsibility for all technical aspects and patient care functions of the Diagnostic ICC.

Experience: At least one year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level that fully meets the KSAs at that level.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: The candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment-specific KSAs:

Knowledge of Imaging Program Administrator.

1. Ability to, provide the full range of supervisory duties which includes responsibility for assignment of work, performance evaluations, selection of staff, and recommendation of awards, advancements, and disciplinary actions.
2. Skill in administrative management (e.g., budgeting, contracting, procurement and property management) in accordance with VHA regulations.
3. Ability to work collaboratively with other disciplines, upper management, VISN level staff and/or VHA Central Office.
4. Ability to plan and execute short and long-range programs and/or goals through project management and tactical/strategic planning as well as develop and oversee complex quality programs addressing outcome management and performance benchmarks.
5. Knowledge of concepts, principles, and methodologies of a significantly high- level imaging program that includes complex subsections such as diagnostic radiology, nuclear medicine and/or radiation oncology operations in order to assess program effectiveness and provide authoritative guidance for operations, personnel, and management.
6. Ability to develop, implement, maintain, and enforce departmental programs, policies, procedures and protocols to ensure and maintain required documentation for compliance with safety, environmental and infection control standards, and with Joint Commission, FDA, NRC- NHPP, ACR, HIPPA, and other federal regulations.

Preferred Experience: Supervisory experience at least 5 years; knowledge of Imaging department functions and modalities; excellent communication skills; strong customer experience skills

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

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.