Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (MRSO) - Full-time

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. 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
• 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: 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).] 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
• 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
• 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: Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist GS-10 Experience
• At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level
• Examples of experience include, but are not limited to: has experience to balance the needs of patients and staff while performing complex scans and procedures
• Have knowledge of basic first aid and basic life support practices
• Knowledge of gathering relevant information from the medical record
• Knowledge of physical assessment, aseptic techniques, intravenous methods, and techniques and universal precautions
• Assess factors that may contraindicate the procedure and knowledge of pre-procedural, procedural, and post-procedural care of patients
• 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: Magnetic Resonance Safety Officer (MRSO)
• Employees who are qualified to work in the MRI modality (advanced certification) have expert specialization at this grade level
• The MRSO operates with full responsibility for training, developing, and directing the MR safety program
• Duties may include coordination of MR safety committee meetings, evaluation of hospital equipment to ensure MR safe operation, and oversight of employee and patient MR screening programs
• Coordinates training of hospital staff and ensures maintenance of educational documentation
• MRSO certification is highly desirable for this level of complexity
• The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs: Knowledge of safety requirements for physical space pertaining to MR imaging area
• Ability to establish and monitor access and safety requirements for the physical zones
• Ability to develop and ensure that adequate written safety procedures, work instructions, emergency procedures, and operating instructions are issued and enforced
• Knowledge of hazards posed by magnetic fields on implants, medical devices, hospital equipment and retained foreign bodies, and the development of measures taken against those hazards
• Ability to train medical, technical, nursing and all other relevant staff groups (including ancillary workers) in all procedural aspects related to MR safety
• References: VA Handbook 5005/119 Part 2 Appendix G25
• Preferred Experience: At least 2 years experience as a MRSO
• References: VA Handbook 5005/119 Part 2 Appendix G25 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-10
• Physical Requirements: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and walk
• The work requires long periods of sitting, standing and walking
• There is some bending and carrying of moderately heavy articles
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50lbs
• Patient mental status and physical habitus will require the incumbent to be able to assist patients during transfer that is required of examinations
• Specific vision abilities required by this job function include but not limited are close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Duties

"Duties include but are not limited to: The MRSO operates with full responsibility for training, developing, and directing the MR safety program.
Duties may include coordination of MR safety committee meetings, evaluation of hospital equipment to ensure MR safe operation, and oversight of employee and patient MR screening programs.
Coordinates training of hospital staff and ensures maintenance of educational documentation.
Interpret requests and instructions from medical providers under the guidance of the Radiologist.
Fully screen each patient for contraindications or risk factors for any of the techniques that are to be used in the examination.
Prepare injectable contrast and be fully competent in the art of placing stable, high flow intravenous catheters, and will ensure that all injection sites that are to be used for contrast material are first verified with a high flow saline injection.
Communicate with facility staff with appropriate information for imaging exams requested Adjust all operator controllable parameters of the equipment, ensuring that the portion of the body specified receives the correct, calculated exposure to variable magnetic fields, radio wave signals, or ionizing radiation.
Prepare pre-procedural supplies and room preparation.
The Technologist will maintain an adequate stock of medical supplies, linens, and cleaning supplies needed for procedures as appropriate in their assigned work location.
Observes patients during procedures and reports complications or unusual events.
Process images with digital image acquisition and processing.
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 9:00am - 5:30, Rotating Weekends and Holidays Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact VHAEDRPProgramSupport@va.gov , the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance.
Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases, When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of existing pay, higher or unique qualifications, or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).
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 #: 91361-0 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"