Summary

This position is located within Radiology Services at Lt. Col. Luke Weathers - Jr. VA Medical Center - Memphis - TN. The Interventional Radiography (IR) Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (DRT) provides patient-centered care services while acting in an ethical manner - giving consideration to factors related to safety - effectiveness - and costs associated with care delivery and planning.

Qualifications

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]
• 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)
• English Language Proficiency
• DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d)
• 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: In addition to the basic requirements for appointment - the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates: Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist - GS-8 Employees at this grade level serve as staff DRTs at the full performance level
• Candidates at this grade level must be qualified to independently provide services in specialized areas of radiologic technology and/or general radiologic technology services with only occasional oversight or direction for highly complex issues Experience- At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level
• Knowledge - Skills and Abilities: The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment-specific KSAs: Ability to check system for operation and assess acceptable performance based on established guidelines
• Knowledge of calibration parameters and the ability to make adjustments as needed
• Knowledge of patient's clinical record - diagnosis - and laboratory results
• Ability to monitor patient's physiologic changes during the procedure and keep the radiologist informed
• Skill in using tact - diplomacy - and courtesy in dealings with the customer base - patients - staff - family - visitors - and volunteers
• Knowledge of anatomy and physiology - and cross-sectional anatomy - recognizing unusual images - and determining proper positioning to best demonstrate areas of interest
• Reference: Refer to VA Handbook 5005/119 - Part II - Appendix G-25 - Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist
• Qualification Standard - GS 0647
• Physical Requirements: To perform in a fully successful manner - the individual must have the physical ability to perform job-related duties which require lifting - standing - bending - transferring - stooping - stretching - walking - pushing - or pulling without assistance from another patient care provider or significant other
• A health examination must be successfully complete prior to this assignment and periodically thereafter as required by the Employee Health Clinic policy The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8.

Duties

• Duties include but are not limited to: Serves as entry level through full performance level DRT
• They explain exams to patients in terms they can understand as well as potential hazards
• They also must troubleshoot equipment used for diagnostic radiology and exercise extreme caution in the handling and safeguarding of all radiation producing Equipment
• Must report major equipment malfunctions within a timely manner to service representatives and assist higher graded technicians in performing more complicated examinations
• It is expected that they receive guidance from more experienced staff members for more complex patient issues and require direct supervision in any assignment area of general radiologic technology
• Performs radiographic examinations of the skull torso and extremities or routine physical examinations - and for diagnosis of illness or injuries to accident victims
• Often these procedures are performed on patients with severe injuries from accidents - patients who will not cooperate due to their mental status - paraplegic and quadriplegic patients who are almost helpless and patients with deformities - which make it impossible to use routine techniques and positioning
• ln collaboration with higher-grade technologists or radiologists assists with more complex procedures such as carotid aneriography or other contrast studies of the venous or arterial system
• Performs radiographic exams at the bedside and in the operating rooms providing diagnostic x-rays to the surgeons and professional staff on patients that are unable to be x-rayed in the Radiology Service due to incapacity or surgical procedures. - using ponable x-ray units and mobile fluoroscopic units to achieve these exams
• Upon request - operates the fluoroscopic unit in the cysto suite
• Responsible to the radiologists and supervisor for the quality and quantity of radiographic exams performed in order to assure a high level of acceptability of radiographs while minimizing patient dosage and reducing costs
• Practices radiation safety in order to reduce exposure to patient - staff and self
• This is achieved by the use of lead aprons - lead gloves - lead shields - lead lined walls and collimation
• The technicians to assure compliance to radiation safety regulations wear film badges
• The incumbent must also be aware of and practice the safety policies/procedures of the medical center and panicipate in quality assurance activities as directed
• Maintains records and files of exams performed on patients
• Edits and when necessary - registers patients in the computerized Radiology Information System (RlS) as well as the work list management portion of the HIS-RIS interface
• Properly identifies the patient and the image
• Uses left and right markers
• This is essential so that mistaken identity does not occur
• The technician must be certain that the patient ID band and the request are identical
• Responsible to explain exams to competent patients so that the patient understands what is to be done as well as what hazards - if any - are possible
• May be required by procedure or patient's condition to monitor vital signs - recognize allergic reactions and initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation
• Monitors equipment for proper operation - makes minor adjustments and reports malfunctions to supervisor and/or Biomedical Engineer
• Maintains required supplies in the radiographic room in a neat and orderly manner
• Ensures that sterile supplies - contrast material - catheters or other required supplies are adequate and within the use by date
• Incumbent must be professional - cooperative and be able to work with other employees
• Incumbent Required to take calls
• Work Schedule: Tuesday-Saturday 8:00AM-4:30PM/ Wednesday-Saturday 8:00AM-4:30PM Call Required: Yes Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized