Job Information
Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist in North Chicago, Illinois
Summary Under the general direction of the Department Head, Imaging and working with the Operations Officer, Imaging and through subordinate supervisors, assists and oversees plans and development activities of the Imaging Service to assure optimum patient care, quality control, and the economically efficient performance of all activities. Responsibilities Major Duties: Under the direct supervision of the Department Head, Imaging, the incumbent has a major role in designing long-range plans for the department, including construction, new equipment, recruitment of personnel, as well as objectives of future needs of the Service. The incumbent is given general guidelines and directions from the Department Head, Imaging and is expected to function with initiative and independent judgment within their sphere of responsibilities. The incumbent will assist the Department Head, Imaging with the development, interpretation, and application of service policy, budget, and long-range plans. The incumbent has a complete and thorough working knowledge of all functions of the department and can operate all the diagnostic specialties to assure its many activities and to provide efficient patient care. The incumbent's supervisory area of staff responsibility/supervision includes: a. Ultrasound Section b. Special Procedure & CT Section c. MRI Section d. Support Staff (PACS) e. Mammography f. Nuclear Medicine g. General Radiography The incumbent collaborates with the Imaging Operations Officer in formulating and implementing administrative and operational policies and procedures for the Service. Such matters include personnel, departmental space, budget, equipment, construction, updating equipment, oversees the Continuing Education Program for both clerical and technical personnel, and implementation of the radiation safety program to insure monitoring devices, beam restricting devices, protective shielding, and warning and identifying devices. The incumbent will correlate through proper communication with other services on behalf of the Department Head, Imaging required radiation safety procedures. The incumbent is responsible for coordinating the maintenance and repairs of radiographic equipment in all areas of the FHCC. This includes testing, maintenance, troubleshooting malfunctions, and makes minor repairs and contacts repair personnel. The incumbent and Operations Officer ensure the Service has 24/7 onsite coverage for General Radiography, CT, and Ultrasound, ensures holiday assignment rosters, and ensures redundancy plans are available in these three sections. The incumbent is required to provide instruction and provide solutions to difficult problems that arise in the general diagnostic, special procedures, MRI, CT, US, interventional, and clerical sections. The incumbent must be able to give guidance in expeditious flow of productivity in all sections of the Service. The incumbent is responsible for maintaining the Imaging Service in accordance with standards established by the Department Head, Imaging, and the Veterans Health Administration. The incumbent supervises the student coordinator and ensures the development and construction an accredited clinical educational program for medical/imaging students. The incumbent supports equal employment opportunities for all affirmative action, effectively used incentive awards to promote and recognize employees. The incumbent ensures all staff are provided Annual Performance Appraisals for both the technical and clerical personnel and reviews annually the position description and performance standards to all employees under her/his supervision. The incumbent serves on all merit promotion boards and makes recommendations to the Department Head, Imaging for employee's reassignments, awards, and disciplinary actions. The incumbent assists the Department Head, Imaging in coordinating the Service's major facility improvement plan, evaluates and selects diagnostic imaging equipment, and through subordinate supervisors, establishes a training program for both technical and clerical staff. Under the authority of the Department Head, Imaging, the incumbent will formulate position descriptions and performance standards for new technical and clerical positions and, on an annual basis, reviews and updates position descriptions and standards as required by Human Resources. The incumbent will coordinate in-service continuing education program on a regular basis, as required by oversight entities for all technical and clerical personnel. Coordinates an instruction program and provides administration in teaching materials to assure an effective training program on highly specialized and complex equipment and procedures. Formulates training in radiographic techniques for new employees. Orientates all newly hired technical and clerical staff to the Service's policies and procedures, and updates technical and clerical staff on departmental policy changes. And other additional duties. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:00am-3:30pm OR 7:30am-4:00pm Telework: Ad-Hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized 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. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). 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: Must be proficient in spoken and written English 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). 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-12: Do you possess at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11) directly related to the position being filled that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level? Specialized experience includes assuming full administrative and professional responsibility for planning and directing the radiologic technology program at a medical center and has significant supervisory responsibility for staff. In addition, do you demonstrate the following technical KSAs and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment-specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): Ability to perform the full range of supervisory duties, including responsibility for assignment of work performed; performance evaluations; recommendations for appointments, awards, advancements, and, when appropriate, disciplinary actions; and identification of continuing education and training needs. [Ability] to serve as a consultant to other facility personnel in evaluating and planning radiologic technology services for the most complex cases. Ability to participate in research studies and/or as a consultant to others conducting research. Ability to consult with staff and resident physicians through patient presentation, attending ward rounds, and specialty clinics and/or conferences, etc. [Ability] to assess, plan, and evaluate the delivery of radiologic technology services at the facility. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-12 to GS-12 . Physical Requirements: The incumbent's duties will be carried out an office and clinical setting. The incumbent must demonstrate a strong concentration, professional knowledge, and physical capability to be on the go for the entire tour of duty in a substantial manner, to ensure that the duties under the incumbent's sphere of responsibilities are carried out in an expeditious and productive manner. The incumbent will be required to assist in helping to move patients, heavy equipment, films, and other paraphernalia that is required for the Imaging Service and incorporates use daily See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information 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. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.