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 all Current, Permanent VA employee, Health Professional Trainees or other Federal Employees. If you are a member of the public, please apply on the public announcement.

Videos

This specialty modality requires additional familiarity of super conducting magnets, the physics of superconducting magnets, and how they relate to the human anatomy in medical imaging. The technologist must be educated in the safety factors governing a magnetic environment that patients, visitors, and equipment enter. The technologist must have specific specialized familiarity of cross-sectional anatomy and how it relates to the soft tissues and vessels of the human body. The technologist must also have specialized familiarity in the radio-frequency surface coils required for each specific anatomical area to be imaged.

Duties may include, but are not limited to:

• Safeguards the MRI scanning environment sufficient to always maintain a safe condition. The technologist observes patient safety guidelines as set forth in department and Medical Center policies and procedures.
• Provides input for the development of policy and procedure for the MRI section, pursuant to the delivery of MRI services at the highest possible standard of patient safety, in accordance with the recommendations of the American College of Radiology, Joint Commission and VHA policies.
• In conjunction with the Radiologist, develops, maintains, and improves a system of examination protocols to standardize examination appearance, to tailor the images obtained to the pathologic condition being investigated, and to optimize the benefit to the patient being examined.
• Trains other personnel in MRI principles, procedures, capabilities, techniques, and equipment. Explains concepts and principles of the methodology and its use and limitations as a diagnostic tool.
• Under the guidance of the Radiologist, interprets requests and instructions from medical providers.
• Informs the patient about the examination, securing their trust, confidence, and cooperation.
• Fully screens each patient for contra-indications or risk factors for any of the techniques that are to be used in the examination. Collaboration with the Radiologist will take place in the presence of any of the above, and the examination and/or the patient's post procedural care will be adjusted accordingly.
• Under the direction of the Radiologist or Licensed Independent Provider (LIP) the technologist prepares, labels, and administers contrast agents according to signed orders.
• The technologist is required to maintain adequate competency to insert an appropriate Intravenous Line (IV) catheter and the use of automated or manual injection techniques according to signed contrast orders.
• Ensures that the contrast injection and the scanning sequences are timed appropriately so that the desired vascular phase images are obtained.
• Positions the patient and the image cut planes correctly for high quality views and will vary the patient position and cut planes as necessary to adjust for the patient's medical condition and abilities.
• Adjusts all operator controllable parameters of the MRI equipment, ensuring that the portion of the body specified receives the correct, calculated exposure to variable magnetic fields, radio wave signals, or ionizing radiation.
• The technologist uses their specialized familiarity of anatomy to correctly visualize the desired features of the patient.
• Actively participates and monitors quality control program parameters. Reports deviations inQuality Control tests and defects in MRI and Imaging equipment, power injector, and patient monitor to the Magnetic Resonance Safety Officer (MRSO), supervisor, and biomedical engineer for repair or calibration. Maintains equipment malfunction and downtime log.
• Maintains effective relationship with manufacturer service representative to help diagnose and fix equipment over the phone and in person.
• Monitors temperature in Computer room and Control room and notifies Facilities Management (Engineering) when temperature is out of range required for MRI computer operation.

Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday-Friday, 1:00pm-9:30pm
Telework: Not Available.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 54547A

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the 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).

Grade Determinations for GS-10 Advanced DRT:
a) Experience- At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-9) directly related to the position being filled that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level.

b) Must demonstrate all of the following technical Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)-
-Knowledge of radiation protection standards, devices and techniques, including concepts of accumulated dosage, dose monitoring, and genetic changes.
-Ability to utilize advanced imaging software that supports complex imaging programs and recognize changes in equipment and procedures that might result in increased exposures, and ability to recommend methods to prevent such exposures.
-Knowledge of basic physics including concepts of energy, electric power, magnetic fields, and properties of x-ray, to understand the operation of the equipment.
- Knowledge and skill in positioning of patients for a wide variety of highly complex imaging (CT, MRI, IR, ultrasound, mammography) studies.

Preferred Experience: Advanced AART (MR) & (CT)

References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G25, Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist VA Qualification Standards

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-10.

Physical Requirements: Bending, pushing, pulling, reaching and occasional kneeling, crawling and squatting; lifting, carrying, bending, and manipulation of equipment; patient assistance and positioning; walking and prolonged standing; the ability to read written orders, computer screens, patient records, and equipment controls; and the ability to communicate with patients, physicians, and coworkers. Near visual acuity to assess patient's physical condition when performing exams and evaluating images for diagnostic quality. Must be able to speak and hear to communicate with patients; ability to make critical decisions, interact with patients of different ages and health conditions, maintain patient confidentiality, work under stressful conditions.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

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. Current permanent Federal employees of other agencies

4. All other applicants.

Note: Veteran's preference is not applicable to VA employees or employees of other Federal agencies.

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.

Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position. You will be assessed on the following Competencies for this position:

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.