Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist

Summary

The incumbent serves as a Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist for the Imaging Service at the Syracuse VA Medical Center. The technologist will function in assigned modalities based on competency assessment and duties assigned based on the needs of the agency.

Duties

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The staff diagnostic radiologic technologist manages patients for radiological examinations producing diagnostic quality images to aid in the diagnosis of medical problems. The technologist ensures patients are protected from over-exposure to ionizing radiation. The incumbent relies on pre-established guidelines and instructional sets to perform the function of the job. The diagnostic radiologic technologist receives guidance from more experienced staff members on more complex patient issues and requires direct supervision in any general radiologic technology assignment. The technologist is responsible for the performance and coordination of assigned radiology examinations. These exams are performed with or without the use of contrast enhanced agents. The goal of the DRT is to achieve diagnostic studies to properly evaluate diagnosis and treatment of patients. Exams may be performed outside the Imaging Department, e.g., at the bedside, in the operating room or emergency department. The incumbent may assist senior technologists in more complex and specialized examination procedures. He/she properly identifies the patient and the image. The staff DRT provides exam information/instructions to the patient. The incumbent practices radiation safety to reduce exposure to patients, staff and self Maintains records and files of exams performed on patients. The staff DRT uses word processing software to execute several office automations functions such as storing and retrieving electronic documents and files; activating printers; inserting and deleting text, formatting documents, and transmitting and receiving e-mail. Uses the Veterans Health Information System and Technology Architecture (VISTA) to access information in the Medical Center Computer System. The technologist is responsible to maintain patient confidentiality and security information when transmitting images to the Picture Archiving and Communicating Systems (PACS). Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 4:00pm- Midnight with Rotating Weekends & Holidays 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 #: 21R56A

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). Note: Exception for Non-Certified, Entry Level Candidates; Non-certified DRTs who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for ARRT (R) certification may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate DRT under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B). The appointing official may waive the requirement of certification for a period not to exceed two years for a DRT that provides care under the supervision of a certified DRT at or above the full performance level. This exception only applies at the GS-5 entry level technician. For grade levels above the entry level, the candidate must be certified. Temporary appointments of non-certified DRTs may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment. 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 English Language Proficiency: DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist, GS-5 Grade Requirement: Experience or Education: None beyond the basic requirements. Assignment.: DRTs at this level operate and monitor commonly used equipment performing routine procedures under general supervision. The technician functions somewhat independently in carrying out these standardized procedures of limited complexity. Deviations from regular 7 procedures, unanticipated problems, and unfamiliar situations are referred to the supervisor for a decision or help. Some assignments at this level also include developmental duties involving more complex procedures designed to prepare the technician for promotion to higher grades in a functional area. Such duties are performed under closer supervision Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist, GS-6 Grade Requirement: Experience or Education: At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-5 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. AND, 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. 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. Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist, GS-7 Grade Requirement: Experience or Education: At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-6 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,