Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

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 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)
• Credentialing Standards: Public Law 97-35 - the Consumer-Patient Radiation Health and Safety Act of 1981 - requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75 - Standards for the Accreditation of Educational Programs and the Credentialing of Radiographic Personnel
• Essentially - they must have successfully completed an educational program that meets or exceeds the standards described in that regulation and is accredited by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and be certified as radiographers in their field
• Exception for Non-Certified - Entry Level Candidates
• This exception only applies at the GS-5 entry level technician
• For grade levels above the entry level - the candidate must be certified
• Grandfathering Provision
• All persons employed in VHA as a DRT on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title - series and grade held - including positive education and certification that are part of the basic requirements of the DRT occupation
• For employees who do not meet all of the basic requirements in this standard - but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it - the following provisions apply: DRTs that require a certification - may be reassigned - promoted up to and including the full performance (journeyman) level - or changed to lower grade within the occupation - but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions
• Physical Requirements
• A physical examination will be conducted based on the physical requirements of the position
• English Language Proficiency
• Diagnostic Radiologic Technologists candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f)
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for appointment - the following criteria must be met for the GS-8 level
• Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist - GS-8 Experience
• At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following 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 techniques for gathering relevant information from the medical record - significant others - and health care providers
• 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
• References: VA Handbook 5005/119 PART II APPENDIX G25 - December 13 - 2019
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-8. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019

Duties

• The Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (DRT) is responsible for the performance and coordination of diagnostic radiology examinations and procedures at VA Northern California Martinez Radiology department
• VA Careers - Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist: https://youtube.com/embed/I-4ku5UMvWM Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional This DRT position is 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
• Assigned Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: Performs a variety of difficult radiographic examinations with the Diagnostic Imaging Department
• Oversees the daily flow of exams to assure that patients will be seen in a timely manner
• Maintains effective control of Radiology area by coordinating - planning - organizing and executing the work potential to expedite workflow patterns within the departments
• Responsible for creating - implementing - collecting - critiquing - and preparing all written and oral reports of up-to-date data is necessary for the completion of continuous and/or problem focused quality assurance
• Keeps abreast of technological advances in the fields of radiology and incorporates these advances in the fields of Radiology and Cardiology and these advances
• Provides training and in service programs to aid in the instruction of nurses and physicians on procedures - operation and or maintenance of new and existing medical equipment
• Provides training and in-service programs to aid in the instruction of nurses and physicians
• Troubleshoots equipment used in diagnostic radiologic procedures and can make minor repairs and/or adjustments
• Receives and interprets all radiology requests
• Practices radiation safety to reduce exposure to patients - staff and self
• Coordinates all activities of radiology department with Sacramento Radiology department to provide maximum patient care
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00am - 4:30pm Supervisor discretion EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact Joe.CamarenaContreras@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• 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 #: 08931-F