Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. The area of consideration will be referred in the following order: 1) Current permanent Puget Sound VA HCS employees 2) Current permanent Agency (Department of Veterans Affairs) employees. 3) Current permanent employees of other Federal agencies.

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

This position is with the VA Puget Sound Health Care System Diagnostic Imaging Service.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Operates a Spiral Computed Tomography Scanner. Develops new techniques, defines optimal protocols and devises ways to visualize pathology within the patient. Evaluates new system(s) and compares them with existing methodologies. Interacts with physicians, scientists, physicists, computer programmers, manufacturers and technical design engineers on a recurring basis in the performance of daily assignments.
• Coordinates daily schedule and consults with other medical center physicians, clinical, administrative and clerical personnel of the next day and future day's availability for patient examinations.
• Schedules and receives patients to include verbal interview for demographic accuracy and patient education prior to procedure, ensuring patients' comfort and relaxation.
• Positions the patient within the CT system, monitors patients during all phases of appropriate examination(s) and removes patient from the respected system(s) upon completion of the data and/or imaging acquisition(s). Mandatory must record Dose on all CTS.
• In all sections, administrators contrast media and medications under the direction and supervision of the staff radiologist(s). Confers with the radiologist(s) to establish requirements with reference to contrast agents, vital signs, medications and physiological monitoring to perform the procedure(s).
• Registers patient and procedure(s) in the VISTA system, Radiology package and enters case number to case-edit the patient's file and indicate that the procedure has been completed. Case edits once CT is completed.
• Performs technical and general operation and maintenance of the computer, disk drives, console, imaging devices, etc. Assists manufacturers and biomedical engineers in the calibration and troubleshooting of any malfunctions in all equipment associated with the Computed Tomography Imaging Devices. Reports needed repairs to CT Lead Technologist, CT Supervisor or Chief Technologist, as well as Imaging/Bio-med Engineers, enter work orders promptly and accurately to include HRO data entry into Visual Maintenance System VMS for work requesting tracking.
• Establishes and monitors quality control programs for these sections and maintains operation logs, service and maintenance reports. Maintains imaging files on patients, clinical analysis, computer data, and technical parameters of each examination to include short and long term archives, film library and Picture Archival and Communication System (PACS).
• Maintains inventory of lab, medical and computer supplies. Initiates procedures to replenish stock and receive stock items/supplies.
• Assist physicians and other employees in the development and execution of procedure manual(s) and in devising and modifying procedures as necessary to include research protocols.
• Assists and develops training programs for new technologist(s), physician(s), resident(s) and general clinical staff in the Computed Tomography Imaging section. Participates in lectures and demonstrations relating to the technical and clinical operations of the above modality.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

Work Schedule: 4PM - Midnight, Monday - Friday.
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact VHAEDRPProgramSupport@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
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 #: 00000
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 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).
• 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

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

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), and Computed Tomography (CT) for the specialized assignment.
• Education. Completion of a full-time training course of at least 24 months in duration (or the 2 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:
Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (Computed Tomography), GS-9

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.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) 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. The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment-specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*):

i. *Ability to balance the needs of patients and staff while still performing complex scans and procedures.
ii. Knowledge of techniques for gathering relevant information from the medical record, significant others, and health care providers.
iii. *Ability to assess factors that may contraindicate the procedure.
iv. Knowledge of basic first aid and basic life support practices related to radiography.
v. Knowledge of physical assessment, aseptic techniques, intravenous methods and techniques and universal precautions.
vi. Knowledge of 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-9.

Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 lbs. and over), moderate carrying (15-44 lbs.), reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands, walking, standing, both legs, near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, both eyes, depth perception, hearing (aid may be permitted), mental and emotional stability, and prolonged standing include the use of lead protective wear. Environmental factors include working closely with others, working alone, protracted or irregular hours of work, exposure to ionizing radiation, and exposure to bodily fluids.

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.