Summary

The Cincinnati - OH VA Medical Center is recruiting for a Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (DRT) Computed Tomography (CT) located in the Imaging section of Radiology Services.

Qualifications

VA Healthcare System Serving Ohio - Indiana - and Michigan (VISN 10) advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care - you will operate in a model with three core elements - seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. 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
• 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)
• You must submit a copy of your unexpired certification from American Registry of Radiologic Technology - Radiography (ARRT) (R) to receive credit
• Education Requirement: 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).You must submit a copy of your certificate or transcript showing awarded associate's degree to receive credit
• 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: In addition to meeting all of the above Basic Requirements - you must also meet the below Grade Requirements for the Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (Computed Tomography) - GS-0647 occupation
• GS-9 Experience
• At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level - GS-8 - directly related to the position being filled that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level
• GS-09 DRT (Computed Tomography) Certification Requirement
• Advanced ARRT certification is required for assignments that include computed tomography (CT) - 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
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills and Abilities (KSAs) Requirement
• In addition to meeting the experience requirement above - the candidates must also meet the below
• 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
• 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
• The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs and demonstrate 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: ADV DRT/CT Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: The physical demands of the work includes: Heavy lifting - 45 pounds and over
• moderate carrying - 15-44 pounds
• pushing up to 4 hours
• reaching above shoulder
• use of fingers - good dexterity (both hands required)
• prolonged walking - prolonged standing
• repeated bending
• ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20
• ability to distinguish basic colors
• hearing (aid permitted)
• speed in working
• and emotional stability
• Must have the ability to stand and work while wearing a lead apron for possibly long periods of time.

Duties

• Major Duties: Meets the requirements set forth in the Cincinnati VA Medical Center Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Memorandum 14-08
• BLS Certification is maintained on a Quarterly basis and always complies
• Accurately operates a wide variety of imaging equipment to obtain examinations of acceptable quality - utilizing the least amount of radiation to obtain quality imaging for diagnosis and localization purposes
• Works under the supervision of the Chief Technologist and rotates all responsibilities within the CT section
• He/she works independently on most exams but confers with Radiologists and Lead Technologist on more difficult problems
• Work is spot-checked for achievement of objectives
• Performs all aspects of CT imaging to include: Head - Neck - Chest - Abdomen - Pelvis - and Extremities - 3D Reconstructions of CT - Multi-Planar Reformats - CT Angiographic studies when requested and/or when part of a standard procedure
• Utilizing specialized sequences to visualize the anatomy and pathology necessary for diagnosis
• Performs CT Angiography of the Circle of Willis - Carotids - Abdominal Aortas - Run-Off's - including CT Cardiac Imaging (Cardiac trained technologists only) and CT Myelogram utilizing specialized series to visualize the anatomy and pathology necessary for diagnosis
• The radiographic goal of CT is to provide high quality axial imaging
• generate the best possible images at the minimal radiation dose necessary to the patient
• Positions patients - selects and sets technical factors
• Performs routine x-ray examinations of all areas of the body to include skull - spines - abdomen - and all extremities with minimal discomfort to the patient
• Explains the radiographic procedure to the patient
• Follows mandated HIPAA guidelines
• Properly enters patient's accession number in the CR/DR terminal to ensure proper transfer of case to PAC's system
• Enters pertinent patient information into CPRS/Order Entry-Radiology Notes - such as patient refusals - order cancellations or any complications
• Sets up and adjusts accessory equipment and makes exposures based on request of physician or other specialists
• Responsible for completion of examination by transmitting images to the PACS immediately after procedure is finished
• Technologist is required to maintain competence in Venipuncture and refer to the Radiology Service procedure manual for guidelines on Medical Center Protocol 84 Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• Prepares contrast materials under the direction of the radiologist that are used in CT - to include CT Angiography and other exams
• Improper use or administration of the contrast materials run the risk of patient mortality and - therefore - it is essential that a thorough understanding of the contrast material usage is possessed by those who prepare it
• In addition - the technologist must be continuously on the alert to the patient's condition and other disorders
• Reactions on the part of the patient require immediate attention so that harm does not come to the patient
• Technologist is certified to insert IV needles for administration of contrast material - when necessary
• Must be familiar with policies and procedures for practicing radiation safety in order to reduce exposure to patients - staff and self
• Competent and educated in all service policies pertaining to the technologist and their assigned work section
• Maintains knowledge of all department and CT section policies - acknowledging the receipt and understanding of these policies by signing the supervisory copy of the policy
• Performs and completes imaging studies within the established guidelines for stat - pre- op - urgent - and routine exams
• Performs other related duties as assigned
• VA Careers - Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist: https://youtube.com/embed/I-4ku5UMvWM Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Work Schedule: Monday - Friday including On-Call and weekends Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases 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) 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 #: Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized