Clarification from the agency

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

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VA Careers - Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist: https://youtube.com/embed/I-4ku5UMvWM
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Customer Service: Treats patients, team members, other facility employees and visitors with respect. Responds to the needs of the service in a courteous and timely manner. Demonstrates appropriate and proactive interpersonal skills to achieve the goals of the service. Acts as a team member and is always supportive of the group's efforts. Demonstrates an ability to work under a variety of circumstances to maximize group productivity and quality.

Clinical Services: Functions as the front-line supervisor for the specialty radiologic technologists to include mammography and US techs. Provides a full range of specialty radiologic treatment procedures and offers a broad knowledge of the different modalities within the specialty areas and is accountable to the Imaging Program Administrator. Assigns employees to positions and/or work assignments based on consideration of several factors including the difficulty and type of work, availability, capability and experience. Issues oral and written instructions for non-routine or more complex assignments. Resolves scheduling and back-up coverage problems on off-hour and weekend shifts and is responsible for vacation coverage on these shifts. Assists in providing coverage when unexpected staff shortages occur during regular and irregular tours-of-duty. Complete and ensures all mandatory training is completed by all staff. Fills in as necessary due to staffing shortages when required.

Participates with Imaging Program Administrator in setting performance standards, goals and objectives of assigned or supervised employees. Reviews work in progress as well as when complete regarding problems in accuracy, quality, adherence to procedures, and takes corrective action as necessary.

Approves or disapproves requests for leave from technical staff, taking into consideration staffing levels and appropriate coverage on all shifts. Ensures that all call rosters are equitable and completed in a timely manner.

Prepares requests for filling of vacant positions. Participates with the Chief, Imaging Service and the Imaging Program Administrator in the selection of candidates for positions in the department.

Assists Imaging Program Administrator with formal requests and recommendations for promotions, reassignments, quality increases or other performance awards.

Proposes appropriate disciplinary actions with guidance through VA directives and AFGE involvement as deemed necessary and proposes to higher authority a specific disciplinary action based on the problem and facts, i.e., suspension, demotions, letters of warning, removal, etc.

Assists Imaging Program Administrator with training plans for assigned employees including orientation of new employees. Participates in in-service training to broaden employee skills. Recommends formal training when the need is apparent and officially recommends employees for formal training courses.


Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm
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: Adhoc

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 identification 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.

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

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 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).

All persons employed in VHA as a DRT on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and certification that are part of the basic requirements of the DRT occupation. For employees who do not meet all of the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:

(1) DRTs that require a certification, may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journeyman) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.

(2) DRTs that require a certification only at higher grade levels must meet the certification requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels.

(3) DRTs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.

(4) DRTs initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or certification that meet all of the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.

(5) Employees who are retained as a DRT under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry as a DRT.

NOTE: Each uncertified VHA DRT who was permanently employed on June 21, 1986, and whose competence in the safe administration of ionizing radiation was affirmed, in writing, by a VA licensed physician not later than January 1, 1987, is considered fully qualified. These employees may be promoted, changed to lower grade, or reassigned within the GS-0647 occupational series. Any employee initially retained in this manner who leaves this job series loses protected status and must meet the full requirements in effect at the time of reentry.



Grade Determinations: [Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist], GS-11 [ ] (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 needed to provide services as a quality control technologist, DRT team leader, supervisory radiologic technologist, [PACS technologist, clinical program director], or an assistant chief radiologic technologist.

Supervisory Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist. The incumbent functions as section supervisor for a group of advanced DRTs at the GS-10 level and below, which may include support staff. The incumbent evaluates new products and equipment and makes recommendations to the supervisor concerning upgrades/new purchases that would improve operations. The incumbent develops and maintains protocol manuals for procedures performed in the section. The incumbent is responsible for implementation and adherence to all safety practices and policies for the section. The incumbent directs the development and implementation of services and treatment to patients through the supervision, mentoring, and oversight of assigned clinical staff. Experience must demonstrate practice skills in a specialty area or in administration demonstrating progressively more professional competency and judgment. The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs:

i. Ability to analyze organizational, technical, and administrative problems and to develop and implement solutions that result in efficient section operation.

ii. Ability to analyze and use data effectively to manage section workload, quality, performance, and productivity.

iii. Skill in problem solving and conflict resolution.

iv. Ability to supervise technologists performing a wide variety of difficult radiographic exams (CT, MRI, Special Procedures, Mammography, Ultrasound).

v. Ability to interview and evaluate candidates for positions, evaluate subordinate performance, recommend appointments, advancements, or recommend or take appropriate disciplinary actions.

vi. Skill in participating in organizational facility initiatives, workgroups, and/or committees.]

Preferred Experience: Mammography and/or Ultrasound experience is preferred

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-11.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019

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.