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 announcement is open to current permanent employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs, other current permanent Federal employees, and the public.

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This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 30, 2026. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be August 3, 2026. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled.

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

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Ensures that adequate quantities of CT supplies are available to meet workload demands. Assures that CT procedure rooms are stocked with necessary supplies at all times with special attention to emergent equipment and supplies.
• Performs all exams utilizing aseptic techniques. This requires proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for patient contact, preparation of contrast and supplying of catheters when applicable, and other supplies that will come in contact with the patient.
• Performs image reconstructions on advanced workstations as directed by the radiologist or as part of a given study. Maintains proficiency on reconstruction techniques.
• Performs regularly scheduled quality control scans and measurements as indicated by computed tomography vendor.
• Properly identifies patient images. This is essential so that mistaken identity of patient images does not occur. The technologist must be certain that the patient I.D. band and the request are identical.
• Responsible for explaining exams to competent patients in terms the patient will comprehend as well as understanding potential hazards that may occur as a result of the exam. May be required by procedure or patient's condition to monitor vital signs, recognize allergic reactions and initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
• Performs digital radiography examinations of head, neck, spine, chest and body. Receives patients and explains examinations to be performed, ensuring patients are properly attired and prepared before positioning them for requested examination.
• Performs dual-energy axial absorptiometry (DEXA) as ordered by primary or specialty care providers for the evaluation of degenerative osteoporotic disease.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 1300 - 2130
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): 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.
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 #: 55858-F
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.
• 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.
• 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).]
• Certification: All applicants must be certified in general radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology, Radiography (ARRT) (R).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.
• 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.
• English Language Proficiency: DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d).
• Grandfathering Provision. 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.

Grade Determinations: Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (CT) , GS-09: In addition to the basic requirements for appointment, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates:

• Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-08), directly related to the position being filled that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level.
• KSAs: And the candidate must demonstrate ALL of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment-specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*). 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.
  1. Ability to balance the needs of patients and staff while still performing complex scans and procedures.*
  2. Knowledge of techniques for gathering 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 methods and techniques and universal precautions.
  6. Knowledge of pre-procedural, procedural, and post-procedural care of patients.

Preferred Experience:

• 4 or more years creditable experience as a general radiographer.
• 2 or more years creditable experience in CT advanced certification area.
• Experience using Canon/Toshiba scanners.

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: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, to stand and walk. Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds; Straight pulling (2 hours); Pushing (4 hours); Constant noise; Reaching above shoulder; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (4 hours); Standing (4 hours); Kneeling (2 hours); Repeated bending (2 hours); Both legs required; Both eyes required; Hearing (aid may be permitted); Hearing without aid; Mental and emotional stability.

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.

Note: 38 U.S.C. 7412 waives the requirement to apply Veterans preference to external applicants for appointments made from this announcement.