Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist

Summary

The duties are performed in the Imaging Department, Emergency Department, OR, PACU and various other locations in the Medical Center. The DRT(R) technologist operates general radiography and fluoroscopy equipment to acquire diagnostic radiographs of patients and support fluoroscopic exams and procedures to enable the diagnosis and treatment of disease. Exam requests are screened for appropriateness and reviewed with a radiologist as needed.

Duties

Functions or Scope of Assigned Duties: Receive patients, confirm patient identification, obtain patient history, provide patient education, provide reassurance, and ensure patient comfort. Perform fall risk assessment and mobilize appropriate assistive lifting and transfer devices as needed. Apply strategies to reduce risk of falls - remove obstacles and tripping hazards. Continually assess the condition and needs of patients to ensure patient safety, comfort, privacy, and dignity. Coordinate care to provide service timely to the clinical need. Review exam requests for appropriateness before performing exams. Use appropriateness criteria, the clinical history provided on the request, patient interview, chart review or contact with the ordering clinician to clarify as needed. Screen for duplicate requests, repeat of a recent exam (either in house or at an outside facility), or redundant evaluation completed by another imaging modality (e.g., CT). Discontinue duplicate orders. Present unresolvable discrepancies or deficient indications to the Lead DRT(R), Supervisor DRT(R) or a radiologist. Apply radiation safety practices, including the concepts of time, distance and shielding, and the ALARA principle of keeping radiation exposure to As Low as Reasonably Achievable. Apply knowledge of radiographic technique (Kvp, mas, collimation, positioning) in fluoroscopy and radiography to ensure appropriate dosage control balanced with diagnostic image quality, incorporating knowledge of accumulated dosage and genetic effects related to patient age and sex, risks of tissue and organ injury, risks to reproductive organs and risks to fetus. Screen for pregnancy in female patients with potential of being pregnant; implement lab test for pregnancy when indicated by policy. Screen imaging history and pending orders to prevent redundant exams and unnecessary radiation. Demonstrate knowledge in the use of iodinated contrast materials, the appropriate concentration and types for various applications and the route of administration for various contrast imaging studies. Store and administer iodinated contrast media adhering to standards of medication management. Understand the risks, side effects and contraindications of contrast use, and the appropriate clinical applications, dosages, routes, and rates of administration. Demonstrate knowledge of contrast reactions, how to recognize them and levels of response. Document contrast administration, dose, route, and other related aspects of care in CPRS. Document adverse events in CPRS using approved reporting tools. Apply knowledge of anatomy, organ systems and pathology applicable to radiography to ensure proper positioning and exposure, and to guide modification of techniques, as needed, to optimally demonstrate normal anatomy and disease. Evaluate exams for diagnostic quality before submitting them for interpretation. Recognize critical findings and alert the supervising radiologist to facilitate timely provider notification 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) Work Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30pm w/call, holidays, weekends, evenings and nights Telework: This is not a virtual position. Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

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 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: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. Assignment. Employees at this grade level serve as developmental DRTs, performing examinations which are routine and standardized in nature. They explain exams to patients in terms they can understand as well as potential hazards. They must also troubleshoot equipment used for diagnostic radiology and exercise extreme caution in the handling and safeguarding of all radiation producing equipment. DRTs must report major equipment malfunctions within a timely manner to service representatives and assist higher graded technologists in performing more complicated examinations. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of basic technique standards for minimum radiographic exposure. (b) Knowledge of anatomy and positioning. (c) Knowledge of all patient safety procedures. (d) Knowledge of radiographic producing equipment. (e) Ability to learn basic computer functions GS-7. Experience or Education. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lowe