Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. First consideration will be given to current permanent Aleda E. Lutz VA Medical Center Employees and its associated Community Based Outpatient Centers.

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Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Performs all routine and emergent diagnostic radiographic procedures such as but not limited to: cervical, lumbar, thoracic, extremity, and facial/headwork.
• Adjusts protocol/standardized views to accommodate patient's inability to position due to illness, injury or medical/mental status. Any additional information, pertinent to the patient's exam is annotated/documented by the technologist.
• Responsible for maximizing daily utilization of radiographic room. Identifies scheduled procedures for the day, plans and coordinates activities around scheduled exams, walk-in exams in order to maximize room effectiveness.
• Prepares the exam room ensuring adequate supplies, safety equipment, positioning devices, linen and other required equipment are present.
• Ensure and maintain exam room and equipment in a clean and neat arrangement.
• Performs all studies as dictated by the department's standardized protocol list.
• Notifies the ordering provider of significant changes in patient's medical/mental status.
• Performs a two-identifier check, including patient's full name as well as full birth date to ensure the correct patient is identified prior to completing the ordered exam.
• Electronically processes exposed radiographs produced via DR and CR plate readers. Able to trouble shoot minor malfunctions and will bring any issues to the attention of the lead technologist or supervisor.
• Performs digital/technical manipulation of images, ensures proper exam markers are present, patient identification is accurate, proper positioning utilized in order to provide adequate and proper processing/ storing and transmission of images into PACS.
• Accurately edits, registers and completes patients in Cerner Electronic Health Record (EHR) Imaging package.
• Adheres to policy and procedural changes affected by internal memos and directives form supervisory personnel.
• Interacts and assists imaging students/volunteers/job shadow students during various rotations throughout Imaging Services.
• Understands that imaging students, volunteers and job shadow students cannot perform direct patient care duties.
• Responsible for the quality assurance of the image including proper positioning, technique and network information prior to transmission to the PACS network.
• Other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM or 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM; Time and days off to be determined.
Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): 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 #: 91476-A, 93259-A, 93260-A, 93261-A
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 evaluation.
• 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).

Grade Determinations:
GS-5:

• Experience or Education: None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-6:

• Experience or Education: At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level or the successful completion of one full academic year of graduate education leading to a degree in radiography or other directly related field to diagnostic radiology/imaging.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
  • Knowledge of basic technique standards for minimum radiographic exposure.
  • Knowledge of anatomy and positioning.
  • Knowledge of all patient safety procedures.
  • Knowledge of radiographic producing equipment.
  • Ability to learn basic computer functions

GS-7:

• Experience or Education: At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level; or the successful completion of one full academic year of graduate education leading to a degree in radiography or other directly related field to diagnostic radiology/imaging; or successful completion of an advanced registry program, with certification, in addition to a 4-year baccalaureate degree program in radiography or other directly related field to diagnostic radiology/imaging. Education may relate to the duties of a specific position or to the occupation but must be appropriate for the position being filled.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
  • Knowledge of the technical adequacy of the digital image, including the ability to adjust the image quality in the digital system.
  • Knowledge of different contrast material required for the requested study.
  • Knowledge of radiation protection standards, minimum radiographic exposure techniques, appropriate beam limitation to anatomical area, and employing lead shielding when performing standard radiographic and fluoroscopic procedures.
  • Knowledge of computed radiography, CR readers and Digital Imaging systems.
  • Knowledge of PACS and basic computer skills.

GS-8:

• Experience: At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
  • Ability to check system for operation and assess acceptable performance based on established guidelines.
  • Knowledge of calibration parameters and the ability to make adjustments as needed.
  • Knowledge of patient's clinical record, diagnosis, and laboratory results.
  • Ability to monitor patient's physiologic changes during the procedure and keep the radiologist informed.
  • Skill in using tact, diplomacy, and courtesy in dealings with the customer base, patients, staff, family, visitors, and volunteers.
  • Knowledge of anatomy and physiology, and cross-sectional anatomy, recognizing unusual images, and determining proper positioning to best demonstrate areas ofinterest

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-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-5 to GS-8.

Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting 45 pounds and over with or without assistance and the aid of mechanical lift equipment; Moderate lifting 15-44 pounds; Light lifting under 15 pounds Moderate carrying 15-44 pounds; Light carrying under 15 pounds; Straight pulling; Pulling hand over hand; pushing; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; walking; standing; kneeling; repeated bending; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; specific visual requirement ability to visualize x-rays clearly; ability to distinguish basic colors; Ability to distinguish shades of colors, Hearing (aid permitted).

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.

Area of Consideration - Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order:

1. Current permanent VA employees of the facility.
2. All other VA employees.
3. All other applicants.