Current permanent VA employees and Federal employees from another agency should apply under CBST-11808295-23-ML. The Diagnostic and Therapeutic Care Line Service is seeking an Advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (Computed Tomography) to perform a variety of general and complex radiographic procedures while utilizing Computed Tomography (CT) scanners and ultrasound equipment. This position is located within the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston, TX. 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. Diagnostic Radiologic Technologists 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 Technologists, 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. You must provide a copy of your unexpired ARRT general radiologic technology and advanced CT certification with your application. 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). You must provide a copy of your transcripts showing the certificate/degree awarded and conferred date with your application. Grade Determinations: Advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (Computed Tomography), GS-10: Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-09) directly related to the position being filled that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level. Examples of creditable experience at the GS-09 grade level include, but are not limited to: Balancing 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. Assessing 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. Your resume must have month/year for employment start and end dates, include average hours worked per week, and demonstrate the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) through the tasks/duties you performed for each job listed to receive credit. Demonstrated KSAs. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs: 1. Knowledge of radiation protection standards, devices and techniques, including concepts of accumulated dosage, dose monitoring, and genetic changes. 2. 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. 3. Knowledge of basic physics including concepts of energy, electric power, magnetic fields, and properties of x-ray, to understand the operation of the equipment. 4. Knowledge and skill in positioning of patients for a wide variety of highly complex imaging (CT, MRI, IR, ultrasound, mammography) studies. Preferred Experience: Knowledge and application of placements of IV's. Minimum 5 years of hospital experience/patient care. Knowledge of basic nursing care duties and skills including CPR. Ability to assess patient as well as monitoring vital signs. Interpersonal communication -- ability to act as a liaison between family members and patients as it relates to patient care. Ability to work closely with all medical personnel to include but not limited to doctors, RNs, DRTs, management, etc. Knowledge of sterile techniques/maintaining sterile field. References. VA Handbook 5005/119, Part II, Appendix G25, Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist Qualification Standard, dated December 13, 2019. The position is above Full Performance Level (GS-10). Physical Requirements. The work is performed in a health care setting. The physical demands of the work include moderate lifting and carrying (15-44 pounds); straight pulling; pulling hand over hand; pushing; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers and both hands required; prolonged walking, standing and repeated bending; both legs required; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; both eyes required; depth perception; ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors; hearing (aid permitted); and mental and emotional stability. (See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services) Environmental Factors. Working conditions include exposure to radiant and electrical energy; constant noise (machinery/equipment); working around machinery with moving parts; working closely with others and alone; protracted or irregular hours of work; occasional odors; and may be required to wear a mask. Must have the ability to stand and work while wearing a lead apron for possibly long periods of time. (See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services) ["The duties of the Advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (Computed Tomography) include but are not limited to: Prepares and administers oral and injectable contrast material under the direction of the radiologist according to established protocols. Performs computer work and completes required documents associated with patient exams, scheduling and documentation of patient procedures, complications and/or quality improvement activities. Recognizes changes in equipment functionality and performance that might result in increased radiation exposures and recommends methods to prevent such exposures. Prepares and positions patients for a wide variety of difficult radiographic procedures (CT and ultrasound) with the use of immobilization devices. Programs technical factors by interrogating computer console and responding with inputs that will result in the required parameters as determined by the radiologist and imaging physicist. Monitors the exam by checking computations, performance, and results of the selected parameters to obtain the best diagnostic computer data/images. Performs technical operation and general maintenance of the computer, disk drives, console, imaging devices, etc. Assists manufacturer's representative and biomedical engineers in the calibration and troubleshooting of malfunctions in the equipment used, notifying responsible personnel of any failure, or required service. Maintains inventory of medical and computer supplies/stock. Performs peri-procedural and intra-procedural safety checks on patients as required. Assists physicians and other investigators in the execution of research protocols and maintains records as necessary to validate research projects/funding grants. Assists and develops training programs for new Computerized Imaging Specialists, physicians in training and general clinical employees. Trains student radiographer technologists and trainees from affiliated educational programs/facilities to obtain established program objectives. Practices hospital safety, radiation safety, infection control and universal precautions in accordance with specific facility/departmental guidelines. Responsible for completing and documenting daily QA of all imaging equipment in the CT department. Provides education about imaging procedures and/or image-guided invasive and vascular procedures to patients and their families. Operates a wide variety of CT imaging equipment to obtain exams of acceptable quality, utilizing the least amount of radiation to obtain quality imaging for diagnosis and localization purposes. Maintains knowledge of cross-sectional anatomy and physiology including location, appearance, and functioning of the major and minor systems susceptible to radiographic illumination, and knowledge of changes to systems and organs caused by common medical and surgical diseases. Performs all aspects of CT imaging including head, neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis extremities, 3D reconstructions of CT, multi-planar reformats CT, biopsies, RF ablations, abscess drainages, cyst aspirations, 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-offs, including CT cardiac imaging (cardiac trained technologists only) and CT myelography utilizing specialized series to visualize the anatomy and pathology necessary for diagnosis. Works with the radiologist/physician as a member of the surgical/CT team. Practices radiation safety in order to reduce exposure to patients, staff and self. Optimizes technical factors and ensures all policies/procedure are adhered to. Receives and interprets all radiology requests for accuracy, appropriateness, date desired, and maintains a thorough knowledge of the ordering process in CPRS. Reviews CT orders to screen information for accuracy, noting and researching all questionable information prior to contacting the patient or performing the exam. Maintains competency and thorough knowledge of the processes for critical, semi-critical, and non-critical Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) and Standard Operating Procedures that document the process/procedures for cleaning, disinfection, sterilization and preparation of RME. Maintains electronic records and files of exams performed on patients. This includes the maintenance of electronically secured spreadsheets, registration and editing of patient exams in the computerized information system, and ensuring all images and required paperwork is properly filled out and scanned into PACS. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 3:30 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. or 4:00 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. May be required to work weekends, holidays, and on-call based on patient care needs. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 580-00918-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required"]
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
