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Summary This Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (DRT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MR), position is assigned to Diagnostic Imaging at Madison, WI VHA. The MRI Technologist 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 and carries out the assigned tasks independently. One Vacancy Open Responsibilities The DRT will provide professional care 100% of the time within the specialized assignment. This position is expected to be fully flexible in support of the needs of the facility and assignments may include both regular tour and off-tour responsibilities in providing routine and non-routine clinical care. The duties and responsibilities of the DRT are listed below beginning at GS 06 level to GS 10 level. They include but are not limited to the following: Duties: GS 06 - Understands basic technique standards for minimum radiographic exposure. - Coordinates a variety of technical procedures that require independent judgment, ingenuity and initiative to effectively diagnose patients by using a wide variety of complex imaging exams. - Reviews and evaluates anatomy, positioning and all patient safety procedures in regard to General Radiology. - Possesses knowledge and skill in positioning of patients for a wide variety of imaging studies in General Radiology. - Understands and has knowledge of radiographic producing equipment - Evaluates and adapts quality management procedures and processes as needed. - Demonstrates understanding of VA and other national guidelines pertaining to department operations, including database security. GS 07 - Reviews the technical adequacy of the digital image, including the ability to adjust the image quality in the digital system. - Coordinates a variety of technical procedures that require independent judgment, ingenuity and initiative to effectively diagnose patients by using a wide variety of complex imaging exams. - Explain and differentiate contrast material required for the requested exam. - Possesses knowledge and skill in positioning of patients for a wide variety of imaging studies in General Radiology. - Implements radiation protection standards, minimum radiographic exposure techniques, appropriate beam limitation to anatomical area, and employing lead shielding when performing standard radiographic and fluoroscopic procedures. - Evaluates and adapts quality management procedures and processes as needed. - Demonstrates understanding of VA and other national guidelines pertaining to department operations, including database security. GS 08 - Checks imaging systems for operation and assess acceptable performance based on established guidelines. - Coordinates a variety of technical procedures that require independent judgment, ingenuity and initiative to effectively diagnose patients by using a wide variety of complex imaging exams. - Monitors the patient for any physiologic changes during the procedure while keeping the radiologist informed. - Possesses knowledge and skill in positioning of patients for a wide variety of imaging studies in General Radiology. - Assesses calibration parameters and adjusts as needed. - Evaluates and adapts quality management procedures and processes as needed. - Demonstrates understanding of VA and other national guidelines pertaining to department operations, including database security. GS 09 - Balances the needs of patients and staff while still performing complex scans and procedures. - Ability to perform basic first aid and basic life support practices related to radiography. - Coordinates a variety of technical procedures that require independent judgment, ingenuity and initiative to effectively diagnose patients by using a wide variety of complex imaging exams. - Possesses knowledge and skill in positioning of patients for a wide variety of imaging studies (such as fluoroscopy, intraoperative and genitourinary). - Evaluates and adapts quality management procedures and processes as needed. - Demonstrates understanding of VA and other national guidelines pertaining to department operations, including database security. GS 10 - Implements radiation protection standards, devices and techniques, including concepts of accumulated dosage, dose monitoring and genetic changes. - Coordinates a variety of technical procedures that require independent judgment, ingenuity and initiative to effectively diagnose patients by using a wide variety of complex imaging exams. - Possesses knowledge and skill in positioning of patients for a wide variety of highly complex imaging (such as CT, MRI, IR) studies. - Evaluates and adapts quality management procedures and processes as needed. - Demonstrates understanding of VA and other national guidelines pertaining to department operations, including database security. - Maintains accurate records, as required by management for quality assurance and quality control purposes in respective modality. Work Schedule: Full time, Monday to Friday Noon-8pm with rotational on-call schedule Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. 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. The qualifications needed for this position is for the following grade levels: GS-0647-06 GS-0647-07 GS-0647-08 GS-0647-09 GS-0647-10 Level placement will be determined depending on experience application and supporting documents submitted 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), and 7407(d). Certification: As a basic requirement, have you completed a full-time training course of at least 24 months duration (or the equivalent) in a post-high school diagnostic radiologic technology program, evidenced by a certificate or an associate's degree, accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) or from schools accredited by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) and certification by the ARRT in MRI (Documentation must be provided). SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: GS-6 LEVEL: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, you must possess at least one (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower (GS-5) grade level? Experience includes performing examinations which are routine and standardized in nature; explaining exams to patients in terms they can understand as well as potential hazards; troubleshooting equipment used for diagnostic radiology and exercise extreme caution in the handling and safeguarding of all radiation producing equipment; reporting major equipment malfunctions within a timely manner to service representatives, and assisting higher graded technicians in performing more complicated examinations. And In addition, can you demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 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? GS- 7 LEVEL: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, you must possess at least one (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower (GS-6) grade level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level? Experience includes performing a substantially full range of duties but receive guidance and directions regarding unfamiliar or unusual situations for more complex patient issues. And In addition, can you demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of the technical adequacy of the digital image, including the ability to adjust the image quality in the digital system; Knowledge of different contrast material required for the requested study; Knowledge of radiation protection standards, minimum radiographic exposure techniques, appropriate beam. limitation to anatomical area, and employing lead shielding when performing standard or fluoroscopic procedures; Knowledge of the function of computed radiography, Phosphor cassettes and CR readers; Knowledge of PACS, and basic computer skills? GS-8 LEVEL: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, you must possess at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower (GS-7) grade level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level? Experience includes providing services in specialized areas of radiologic technology and/or general radiologic technology services. And In addition, can you demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 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? GS-09 Level: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, you must have one year of experience equivalent to the GS-08 level. 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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment-specific KSAs designated by an asterisk ():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. GS-10 Level: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, you must have one year of experience equivalent to the GS-9 level. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MR). This specialty modality requires additional knowledge of superconducting magnets, the physics of superconducting magnets, and how they relate to the human anatomy in medical imaging. The technologist 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.]In addition, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of radiation protection standards, devices and techniques, including concepts of accumulated dosage, dose monitoring, and genetic changes. Ability to utilize advanced imaging software that supports complex imaging programs and recognize changes in equipment and procedures that might result in increased exposures, and ability to recommend methods to prevent such exposures. Knowledge of basic physics including concepts of energy, electric power, magnetic fields, and properties of x-ray, to understand the operation of the equipment. Knowledge and skill in positioning of patients for a wide variety of highly complex imaging (CT, MRI, IR, ultrasound, mammography) studies. References: VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G25, Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-10. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy can be: GS-06 GS-07 GS-08 GS-09 GS-10 Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.