Summary

The Advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist(DRT)/ Radiation Safety Officer(RSO) position has the primary responsibility of implementing and directing the Medical Center's Radiation Safety Program. Applies conventional methods to the control of radiation hazards - The radiation safety officer ensures that a facility operates in compliance with all procedures and regulations imposed by the law with regards to the safe use of radiation.

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
• Certification
• All applicants must be certified in general radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology - Radiography (ARRT) (R)
• 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)
• Grandfathering Provision
• All persons employed in VHA as a DRT on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualifications requirements for this title - series and grade held - including positive education and certification that are part of the basic requirements of the DRT occupation
• For employees who do not meet all of the basic requirements in this standard - but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it - the following provisions apply: DRT's that required a certification - may be reassigned - promoted up to and including the full performance(journeyman) level - or changed to lower grade within the occupation - but may be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions
• DRT's that require a certification only at higher grade levels must meet the certification requirement before they can be promoted t those higher grade levels
• DRT's who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed - on a temporary or permanent basis - until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard
• DRT's initially grandfathered into this occupation - who subsequently obtain additional education and/or certification that meet all of the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation
• Employees who are retained as a DRT under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry as a DRT
• NOTE: Each uncertified VHA DRT who was permanently employed on June 21 - 1986 - and whose competence in the safe administration of ionizing radiation was affirmed - in writing - by a VA licensed physician not later than January 1 - 1987 - is considered fully qualified
• These employees may be promoted - changed to lower grade - or reassigned within the GS-0647 occupational series
• Any employee initially retained in this manner who leaves this job series losses protected status and must meet the full requirements in effect at the time of reentry
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• Advanced 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
• The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical 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
• Preferred Experience: ARRT certification in radiology (R) and Computed Tomography (CT) and a BS degree in Health Physics or certification by the American Board of Health Physics or the the National Registry of Radiation Protection Technologist is preferred
• 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-10
• 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 include - but are not limited to: Performs daily inspection of radiographic units to ensure proper mechanical functionality
• Maintains accurate and current records as required by management officials for quality assurance analysis - quality control - performance improvement and other related procedures
• Performs monthly - quarterly semi-annual - and annual quality control testing - collects and evaluates monthly QC data and reports to the Radiology Supervisor
• Coordinates all scheduling of preventive maintenance for modalities either through biomedical engineering or local contractor service
• Collaborates with the Radiology Supervisor to ensure effective Quality Control measures are in place
• Understands Joint Commission - Occupational Safety and National Health Physics Program (NHPP)) - and VA standards regarding radiology quality assurance and other technical functions
• Works with physicists to ensure compliance with radiation safety program and for acceptance testing of all new installations of equipment
• Provides on-the-job training of staff technologists and other personnel involved in imaging operations maintained within the department
• Coordinates all activities associated with VistaA downtime events
• Ensures all staff are aware and trained in the radiology downtime contingency plan
• Leads activities of the Radiology Quality Improvement Committee (RQIC) to ensure compliance with VHA directives and other regulatory agencies to identify gaps in facility performance and prioritizes areas in need of improvement
• The radiation safety officer must interact with various external regulatory agencies - keeping abreast of any changes made to the laws surrounding radiation safe
• Verifies personnel exposure levels to implement regulatory requirements
• Reviews and updates the Radiation Safety Manual and Radiology Service Operating Procedures Manual annually
• Performs all aspects of CT imaging to include FOR EXAMPLE: Head - Neck - Chest - Abdomen - Pelvis Extremities - 3D Reconstructions of CT - Multi-Planar Reformats CT and Angiographic studies when requested and/or when part of a standard procedure
• Performs CT Angiography of the Circle of Willis - Carotids - Abdominal Aortas - Run-Off's - 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
• Technologist acquires and maintains knowledge in CT dose optimization and the factors that directly affect radiation dose from the CT scanner to the patient
• PACS administrator back-up duties
• Performs all duties of ADPAC for imaging service including knowledge and ability to assist in developing/updating/maintaining correct CPT coding/naming within PACS - Power scribe - and Vista (exam code dictionary)
• Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00am - 4:30pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized 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 #: 000000 - Advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized