Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist - CT

Summary

The Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (CT) performs advanced general radiology and CT duties at the Syracuse VAMC. The technologist independently conducts routine and complex exams, including portable, cardiac CT, and angiographic studies; prioritizes and triages imaging requests; and resolves unusual or complex patient situations. Advanced ARRT CT certification is required. The technologist also proctors new staff, supervising and documenting CT coursework, clinical, and other training.

Duties

Functions or Scope of Assigned Duties: Perform CT procedures as the primary responsibility, approximately 80% of the time. Balance patient and staff needs while completing complex scans and procedures. Apply cross-sectional anatomy knowledge to spiral and multislice CT examinations. Perform 3-D reconstruction and other advanced CT imaging procedures. Conduct CT-guided drainages and biopsies. Perform peripheral vascular and cardiac CT examinations. Interpret imaging requests and determine appropriate examination protocols. Identify anatomical structures and assess their appearance and function on digital images. Evaluate image quality and determine whether scans are diagnostically acceptable. Tailor imaging to highlight areas of clinical interest for the physician. Perform advanced and complex CT examinations with minimal physician supervision. Establish venous access and perform venipuncture for iodinated contrast examinations. Perform general radiologic procedures approximately 20% of the time under medical direction. Conduct general X-ray, portable, fluoroscopic, pain-block, and DEXA examinations as needed. Assist with procedures in other specialty modalities when required. Prepare and administer contrast media and medications in accordance with applicable regulations. Operate digital radiography equipment and PACS. Gather relevant patient information from medical records, patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers. Help schedule examinations to maximize equipment use while accommodating emergency studies. Apply radiation-safety practices, verify patient identity, and ensure images are correctly identified. Monitor patients, determine CT technical factors and positioning, consult radiologists on nonstandard exams, and promptly report potential contraindications or abnormalities. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Weekends, 12:00am-10:00am & additional 10 hour shifts on the weekday. Compressed/Flexible: Compressed, Four - ten hour days. Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 21R81-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.

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) and Computed Tomography (AART) (CT). 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). 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 (CT), GS-9 (1) 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. (2) Assignments. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity difficulty, and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. DRTs at this grade level may be appointed to one of the following assignments: (a) Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist. 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. Creditable Experience (1) Knowledge of Current Radiologic Technology Practice. To be creditable, experience must have demonstrated possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics (also referred to as clinical competencies) associated with current radiologic technology practice. This may have been evidenced by the equivalent of one year of active practice, which is paid or non-paid employment as a DRT as defined by ARRT. (2) Quality of Experience. Experience is only creditable if it was earned after completion of the basic certification requirements identified in paragraph 2b above. Experience as a graduate DRT is creditable provided the candidate functioned as a DRT and subsequently passed the certification examination. (3) Part-Time Experience. Part-time experience as a DRT is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweek. For example, a DRT would receive one week of full- time credit for each two weeks of half-time work. Specialized Assignments. Specialized areas of radiologic technology include general diagnostic radiologic technology (R), bone densitometry (BD), mammography (M), diagnostic ultrasound (S), computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MR), interventional radiologic technology (IR), quality management (QM), picture archival communication system (PACS) technologist, MRI safety officer (MRSO), imaging administrator, clinical program director, and clinical instructor. General Radiologic Technology (R). DRTs perform procedures and examinations in hospitals examinations and procedures is to produce radiographic studies that are used in medical diagnosis and interpreted by medical officers to locate injuries, foreign bodies, pathological conditions, or lesions within the body. They prepare and administer contrast media and medications in accordance with State and Federal regulations. All DRTs must be knowledgeable in computerized and digital radiography (CR/DR), and picture archiving and communications systems (PACS). Computed Tomography (CT). This specialty modality requires specific knowledge of cross sectional human anatomy and its application in spiral, and/or, multi-slice computer tomography, inclusive of 3-D recon