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Diagnostic Radiologic Technician (CT)

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
Veterans Health Administration

Summary

The incumbent operates as an advanced DRT, specializing in Computed Tomography (CT). Incumbent works independently during standard general imaging and complex CT examinations and procedures. This includes nonstandard and advanced protocols such as emergency and inpatients, as expected in a 1A High Complexity Medical Center. Evaluates the nature of critical and emergency procedures, and rearranges patient schedules to accommodate them.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
No
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$92,272 - $119,961 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 9
Promotion potential
9
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Not required
Appointment type
Permanent
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Excepted Service
Represented by a union
Yes
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Not Required
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
CBSU-13055616-26-ML
Control number
883692300

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Duties

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

Duties & skills needed to be successful in this position include, but are not limited to:

  • Develops alternate imaging processes. The incumbent will be involved with difficult and intricate techniques (current or new), defining optimal protocols, and devising alternate ways to visualize pathology within the patient. Must be able to set optimum technique and parameters in accordance with new or modified protocols as determined by the radiologist.
  • Perform CT examinations of the head, neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis, and extremities; for the purpose of acquiring high-quality examinations that assist in the diagnosis and treatment of patient medical disorders using standard and non-standard protocols.
  • Other critical factors to consider in performance of imaging discipline: proper utilization special equipment such as monitors, pulse oximeter, ECG, infusion pumps, oxygen equipment, and respirators inclusive of vital signs and medications used; incumbent must be highly cognizant of such devices and in their proper use. The incumbent must be familiar with the different types and sizes of IV catheters and ports to safely use for contrast administration.
  • Understand and utilize 3D A/V rendering application software. Shall perform and demonstrate competency in the ability to perform quality post-procedure reformats and send to PACS. Make multiple simultaneous settings and adjustments in operation of equipment to include peripheral equipment and protocols such as 3D reconstruction to ensure accurate results.
  • Prepare the CT systems for daily operation: bring systems up and check all self-calibrating parameters. Clean and prepare equipment surfaces in accordance with established infection control guidelines. Perform routine archiving status; check and deletes data according to established guidelines.
  • Perform quality assurance testing on the CT units using phantoms, test tools, check lists, etc., for the purpose of assuring peak performance of the equipment. Maintain records of the quality assurance testing so that easy reference is available should servicing be necessary.
  • Assist manufacturer representative and biomedical engineers in the calibration and troubleshooting of malfunctions in all equipment associated with the CT systems
  • Register patients during check-in and properly edit exams upon completion of work to ensure appropriate workload capture and credit.
  • This position requires rotating on-call duties and overtime for emergency coverage. While assigned to on-call status, the expectation is to respond to the medical center within 60 minutes from the time the call is received. Tours may also change depending on needs of the service or medical center.
  • Actively seeks out work when assigned tasks are finished. Proactively identify administrative, clerical, or mechanical problems and define solutions. The incumbent accepts duties/assignments outside of his/her normal workstation for purposes of receiving additional training, and to provide needed coverage as determined by his/her supervisor based on patient workload shift/changes and availability of personnel.
  • Interview patients about their medical history; screen patients prior to exams to evaluate for contraindications to the procedure. Employ safety documents, such as IMED consent or contrast forms.
  • Maintain patient privacy and confidentiality. Modesty and comfort will be observed for all patients.
  • Maintain adequate supplies so that examinations are not delayed due to lack of necessary equipment or supplies. Incumbent shall familiarize themselves of the location, various types, and proper utilization of equipment and supplies.
  • Assist with CT guided Interventional Radiology procedures
  • Other duties as assigned to meet the needs of the Medical Center

Work Schedule: Various Tours with assigned default shift
Pay: Competitive salary & 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) & 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 #: 554-54238A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Requirements

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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.
  • You may be required to serve a probationary period.
  • 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).

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.
  • English Language Proficiency: DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d).
  • 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).
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).

Grade Determinations:
GS-09 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 described at that 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.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment-specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*)
  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: Candidate must have required ARRT (R) (CT) registries.

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

The full performance level of this vacancy is 9. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is 9.

Physical Requirements: The physical demands of the work include: Heavy lifting of 45 pounds and over; moderate carrying of 15-44 pounds; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers, good dexterity (both hands required); prolonged walking, prolonged standing; repeated bending; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid permitted); speed in working; and emotional stability. Must have the ability to stand and work while wearing a lead apron for possibly long periods of time.

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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.

Veterans Health Administration

OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for those who have served in our nation's military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors" - by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans. How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate whole health care to Veterans?

Interested in a career that offers a balance of work and family life? Look no further! The VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System (ECHCS) Offers a balance of professional and clinical complexity that stimulates growth yet also allows the professional an opportunity to enjoy life outside of work.

The new, state of the art campus is in Aurora, CO, just east of Denver. The city's central location makes it ideal for accessing the surrounding mountain ranges for outdoor activities or enjoying the rich art and cultural variety of the area. Denver Metro offers a perfect mix of social activity, modern businesses, and family life making it an ideal location to start a career, raise a family, or ease into retirement. ECHCS offers a teaching hospital with state-of-the-art technology, education, and research, making it an ideal career choice for many clinical and administrative professionals. The facility has numerous specialized programs in addition to the comprehensive health care provided to our Veterans.

Agency contact information

VISN 19 HR Contact Center
Phone
719-227-4600
Email
V19USAJOBS@VA.GOV
Address
VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System
1700 N Wheeling St
Aurora, CO 80045
US

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