The Birmingham VA Health Care System located in downtown Birmingham; Alabama is recruiting for a Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (MRSO) to work in interventional procedures areas within the medical center. A recruitment incentive (sign on bonus) may be authorized. A relocation incentive has been authorized. This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until Sep 29 2023. Resumes will be reviewed the 2nd Fri of every month. The cut-off date for referral will be Oct 15 2023. 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).] Loss of Credential: An employee in this occupation who fails to obtain certification within two years, or who fails to maintain the required certification must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment 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. English Language Proficiency. DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). GRADE REQUIREMENTS. Computed Tomography (CT). This specialty modality requires specific knowledge of cross sectional human anatomy and its application in spiral, and/or, multi-slice computer tomography, inclusive of 3-D reconstruction scans, including drainages, biopsies, and peripheral vascular examinations. The technologist requires specific knowledge and training in the location, appearance, and function of the various major and minor systems susceptible to radiological illumination; to interpret the examination request accurately; to understand the functioning and inter-relationship of the various organs; to use the methods and techniques which will identify organs appearing on the digital display monitor, or on film, and the various stages of the examination to judge the acceptability of the image and/or scan for diagnostic use and to emphasize the aspects of interest to the physician. DRT assignments that include performance of independent duties in this subspecialty require advanced ARRT certification. GRADE DETERMINATIONS. In addition to the basic requirements for appointment, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates: Lead Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist , GS-10 (1) Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade GS-09 level directly related to the position being filled that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level. 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. (2) Assignments. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. DRTs at this grade level may be appointed to one of the following assignments: Lead Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist: Employees are trained to work in one or more difficult and complex modalities performing procedures related to these modalities as well as performing general diagnostic procedures. At this grade level, any assignment in a single modality must demonstrate significant complexity. Such assignments are unique, perhaps with expert specialization in complex areas of radiologic technology, Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) regulations, and intermediate QM type duties within the program. The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs: 1. Ability to provide feedback to supervisor on technical aspects of work. 2. *Ability to resolve informal employee complaints. 3. *Ability to monitor and report on the status and progress of work and make adjustments to accomplish the workload in accordance with established procedures. 4. Ability to perform general and specialized diagnostic radiologic procedures in advanced levels of complex treatment situations. References: VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G25 Dated December 13, 2019. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-10. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, walking 6 hours, standing 8 hours, specific visual requirement, specific hearing requirements, emotional and mental stability, ability to read typewritten characters with or w/o glasses, ability to hear conversational voice with or w/o hearing aid. ["The Lead Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (CT) will direct, assist, oversee, plan, and develop activities for CT area at BVAMC as well as other staff (CT) technologist duties. As a The Lead (CT) technologist, he/she will perform procedures and examinations under the general direction of the Supervisory DRT (CT) or Chief Technologist of Radiology or the Radiologist. Also, the incumbent assures optimum patient care, quality control, and the efficient performance of all activities under his/her leadership. The Lead (CT) technologist must possess the ability to direct, assign, oversee and support multiple staff members and when appropriate, inform the Supervisory DRT (CT) of any incident or situation that could warrant possible disciplinary actions. Incumbent will work closely with the technologists, radiologists, clinicians, and clerical staff to assure optimum patient care is understood to be the primary goal of the CT area to assure there is a high-quality diagnostic/therapeutic imaging exam result and a positive patient satisfaction. The Lead (CT) Technologist operates independently and without direct supervision as the technologist responsible for the coordination and performance of all diagnostic radiology CT exams and CT guided biopsy procedures. These exams are performed with and without contrast materials. The purpose of these exams is to achieve diagnostic studies so that proper diagnosis and treatment will be delivered. The duties performed are almost exclusively hands-on technical duties. While there will be responsibilities to oversee work distribution (on a patient-by-patient basis) and to assist the supervisors with scheduling, almost all the time other duties will be technical. The Lead (CT) technologist will participate in the scanning of patients, especially with difficult patients, complex exams, or with less experienced technologists, dealing with problems in patient prep, timing, arrival and patient flow by transporting patients to expedite patient care, assisting radiologist by gathering data and assist in protocoling studies, performing quality control checks on studies prior to dismissing the patients and assisting radiologist with complex post-processing and gathering data to assist with reporting, assisting the radiologists in notifying referring physicians of critical results, and working with radiologists and radiation safety to develop and implement SOPs and to assure compliance in the various technical areas. The Lead (CT) Technologist will assist Radiation Physicist with Quality Assurance (QA) testing to include Level 1 and 2 QA on each CT scanners. The lead technologist will also produce 3D CT images such as CTA heads, necks, abdomens, colonography, and cardiac studies according to the radiologist protocols. This involves extensive knowledge in cross sectional anatomy and the ability to utilize Synogo VIA, Rapid AI, and other specialized computer workstations/programs. The Lead (CT) Technologist will also assist radiologists with reports and notify referring physicians about significant findings. The incumbent practices radiation safety to reduce exposure to patient, staff, and self. This is achieved by the using the proper radiation apparel (aprons, thyroid shield, lead glasses) and collimation. Radiation monitors for all individuals as required or directed by the radiation safety office. The incumbent must also be aware of and practice the safety policies/procedures of the medical center and participate in quality assurance activities as directed. The incumbent maintains records and files of exams performed on patients and scheduling specialty exams. Edits and when necessary registers patients in the computerized Radiology Information System (RIS) as well as the work list management portion of the HIS-RIS interface. The incumbent utilizes the computerized patient record system (CPRS) to assist with accessing pertinent patient data as required. He/she will be familiar with the Veterans Health Information and Technology Architecture (VistA) computer system to access other information and documentation as needed while assuring correct CPT codes are utilized. The incumbent is responsible for stocking adequate levels of supplies in assigned areas. He/she must report equipment malfunctions to the supervisor in a timely manner. The incumbent must be professional, cooperative and be able to work with other employees. He/she must demonstrate professionalism to promote good relations with other services. Work Schedule: Work Schedule: 8:00am-4:30pm Monday-Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Title/Functional Statement #: Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist/FS-521-536 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized for highly qualified applicants Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.