Clarification from the agency

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

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GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNED DUTIES

• The incumbent serves as a Computed Tomography (CT) Technologist, responsible for performing a full range of CT examinations of the head, neck, spine, chest, abdomen, and additional body regions using both contrast and non-contrast techniques. The technologist
  exercises independent technical judgment to select appropriate imaging parameters, position patients accurately, and apply CT protocols in accordance with radiologist guidance to ensure high-quality diagnostic images supporting accurate clinical evaluation and treatment planning.
• The incumbent prepares and administers contrast materials in accordance with established safety standards, maintains continuous awareness of patient condition, and responds promptly to patient reactions or complications. The technologist adheres to all radiation safety requirements and employs dose-reduction techniques to provide safe imaging for patients, staff, and self. Responsibilities also include image post-processing and reconstructions, accurate documentation and identification of all exams, and maintaining exam records within the imaging information system.
• The technologist maintains adequate CT supplies, ensures equipment is properly set up and functioning, and adapts to STAT and emergent imaging needs by prioritizing and coordinating workflow efficiently. The incumbent provides afterhours, weekend, and holiday coverage as assigned to ensure continuous CT service availability.
• In addition, the technologist plays an active role in clinical education, serving as a trainer and mentor for radiology and CT students assigned to the department. This includes providing orientation, demonstrating proper CT technique and safety practices, monitoring student progress and timekeeping, ensuring compliance with clinical objectives, and communicating student performance to the Clinical Instructor as part of the facility's formal training program.

FUNCTIONS OR SCOPES OF PRACTICE KSA's

• Ability to balance the needs of patients and staff while still performing complex scans and procedures.
• Knowledge of techniques for gathering relevant information from the medical record, significant others, and health care providers.
• Ability to assess factors that may contraindicate the procedure.
• Knowledge of basic first aid and basic life support practices related to radiography.
• Knowledge of physical assessment, aseptic techniques, intravenous methods and techniques and universal precautions.
• Knowledge of pre-procedural, procedural, and post-procedural care of patients.

Scheduling & Throughput-Efficiently manages and prioritizes CT workflow to optimize scanner utilization while maintaining flexibility for same-day, STAT, and emergent examinations. Adjusts the schedule to accommodate urgent clinical needs and ensures timely delivery of diagnostic information.

Workflow & Process Improvement-Implements updated CT protocols, participates in performance-improvement initiatives, and adapts to evolving VA/DoD operational requirements. Adjusts workflow to support increased imaging volumes and assists in resolving operational or patient-flow challenges.

Exam Planning & Technical Execution-Collaborates with radiologists to clarify non-standard or complex CT requests. Independently determines technical factors, slice thickness, reconstructions, and patient positioning necessary to meet diagnostic requirements. Communicates results or findings requiring expedited radiologist review.

VA Careers - Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist: https://youtube.com/embed/I-4ku5UMvWM

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

Work Schedule: 0800-1630 Monday - Friday
Compressed/Flexible:Not Authorized
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.
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 Authorized
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
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 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.]
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).

Education: Completion of 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 [other accrediting agencies as recognized by the Department of Education (DOE)? Applicants must submit a copy of transcripts.

Assignment: This specialty modality requires specific knowledge of cross sectional human anatomy and its application in spiral, and/or, multi-slice computer tomography, inclusive of 3-D reconstruction scans, including drainages, biopsies, and peripheral vascular examinations. The technologist requires specific knowledge and training in the location, appearance, and function of the various major and minor systems susceptible to radiological illumination; to interpret the examination request accurately; to understand the functioning and inter- relationship of the various organs; to use the methods and techniques which will identify organs appearing on the digital display monitor, or on film, and the various stages of the examination to judge the acceptability of the image and/or scan for diagnostic use and to emphasize the aspects of interest to the physician. [DRT assignments that include performance of independent duties in this subspecialty require advanced ARRT certification.]

GS-09: Level: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, you must have one year of experience equivalent to the GS-08 level. Employees at this level are fully functional as an advanced DRT and carry out their assigned tasks independently. DRTs at this level may have varying assignments including special and complex imaging procedures beyond the full performance level, clinical instruction, and basic QM type duties within the program. Regardless of the nature of the specific assignment, the work must be of sufficient scope and complexity to meet the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform at this level.

GS-8 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
1) Ability to check system for operation and assess acceptable performance based on established guidelines.
2) Knowledge of calibration parameters and the ability to make adjustments as needed.
3) Knowledge of patient's clinical record, diagnosis, and laboratory results.
4) Ability to monitor patient's physiologic changes during the procedure and keep the radiologist informed.
5) Skill in using tact, diplomacy, and courtesy in dealings with the customer base, patients, staff, family, visitors, and volunteers.
6) Knowledge of anatomy and physiology, and cross-sectional anatomy, recognizing unusual images, and determining proper positioning to best demonstrate areas of interest.

GS-9 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, you must demonstrate the following technical KSAs:
1) Ability to balance the needs of the patients and staff while still performing complex scans and procedures.
2) Skill to demonstrate appropriate techniques to gather relevant information from the medical record, significant others, and health care providers.
3) Ability to assess factors that may contraindicate the procedure.
4) Knowledge of basic first aid and basic life support practices related to radiography.
5) Knowledge of physical assessment, aseptic techniques, intravenous skills, and universal precautions.
6) Knowledgeable in pre-procedural, procedural, and post-procedural care of patients.

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-09.

Physical Requirements: VA 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.