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
• English Language Proficiency: DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and7407(d)
• 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).] 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
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): This specialty modality requires additional knowledge of superconducting magnets, the physics of superconducting magnets, and how they relate to human anatomy in medical imaging
• Technologists must be educated in the safety factors governing a magnetic environment that patients, visitors, and equipment enter
• The practitioner must have specialized knowledge of cross-sectional anatomy and how it relates to the soft tissues and vessels of the human body
• The technologist must also have specialized knowledge in the radio-frequency surface coils required for each specific anatomical area to be imaged
• [This assignment may also perform basic magnetic resonance safety program duties
• Technologists must be knowledgeable in contrast media, power injectors, and PACS
• DRT assignments that include performance of independent duties in this subspecialty require advanced ARRT (MR) certification.] 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-09 Employees at this level are fully functional as an advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (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 Quality Management 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 (KSA's) to perform at this level
• The candidate MUST demonstrate EXAMPLES of all of the following technical KSAs and demonstrate EXAMPLES the potential to acquire the assignment-specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*) in their resume: - *Ability to balance the needs of patients and staff while still performing complex scans and procedures
• - Knowledge of techniques for gathering relevant information from the medical record, significant others, and health care providers
• -*Ability to assess factors that may contraindicate the procedure
• - Knowledge of basic first aid and basic life support practices related to radiography
• - Knowledge of physical assessment, aseptic techniques, intravenous methods and techniques and universal precautions
• - Knowledge of pre-procedural, procedural, and post-procedural care of patients
• Preferred Experience: One (1) year breast MRI experience and two (2) years MRI experience
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The starting and full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09
• Physical Requirements: Light to Moderate lifting and carrying, up to 44 pounds Straight pulling and/or reaching above shoulders Use of both hands and fingers required Walking, standing, crawling and/or kneeling Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4 Depth perception and ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors
• hearing (aid permitted)