Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist

The position is in the Medical Imaging Department at the Tennessee Valley Healthcare System where the incumbent performs a variety of routine and very difficult radiographic examinations and makes exposures necessary for the requested procedure. The incumbent operates equipment both mobile and fixed and assists the radiologist/physician in fluoroscopic procedures as part of the diagnostic plan for patients.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional
Duties include, but not limited to:

• Reviews request for appropriateness before performing exams. Incumbent uses appropriateness criteria, the clinical history provided on the request, interviews the patient, reviews the patient chart or contacts the ordering clinician as needed for clarification.
• Receives patients and ensures proper identification. Provides patient education. Continually assesses the condition and the needs of the patients to ensure patient safety, comfort and privacy.
• Performs portable exams throughout this facility.
• Processes images by using (CR) Computer radiography, including specific exposure requirements, and digital postprocessing techniques to optimize image quality. Demonstrates fundamental knowledge of the DR network and interface with the VISTA imaging and PACs and contingency procedures for manually entering patient demographics and routing images.
• Performs the full spectrum of radiographic exams, including standard radiographs, gastrointestinal exams, genitourinary exams, arthrograms, myelograms and plain tomography. Utilizes textbooks and radiologist to perform exams requiring specialized or modified techniques.
• Ensure compliance with infection control standards and practices.
• Incumbent will display a cooperative attitude and will effectively work together to implement the organization's mission and goals.
• Employee participates in a manner that complies with their facilities GEMS and governing environmental policy, as well as Federal, state, and local statutory, regulatory, and other environmental requirements, including "Greening the Government" Eos.
• Incumbent will ensure productivity is maintained at the established level for the program for which he/she is responsible.
• Uses word processing software to execute several office automation functions such as storing and retrieving electronic documents and files.
• Incumbent will display consistently courteous, respectful, and cooperative in nature attitude with management, co-workers, patients and the public.
• Complies with all safety and radiation rules and regulations for safe job performance and fire protection.
• Incumbent attends scheduled mandatory and non-mandatory training sessions and participates in safety promotions.
• Supports maintenance of inventory supplies, ensuring that outdated, damaged or otherwise unusable items are discarded.

Work Schedule: Monday- Friday, 8:30 am- 5:00 pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 70200F
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of 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)

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).]
• English Language Proficiency: DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d).

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 employee.

Experience: At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, (GS-08) directly related to the position being filled that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment-specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*):

a. * Ability to balance the needs of patients and staff while still performing complex scans and procedures.
b. Knowledge of techniques for gathering relevant information from the medical record, significant others, and health care providers.
c. * Ability to assess factors that may contraindicate the procedure.
d. Knowledge of basic first aid and basic life support practices related to radiography.
e. Knowledge of physical assessment, aseptic techniques, intravenous methods and techniques and universal precautions.
f. Knowledge of pre-procedural, procedural, and post-procedural care of patients.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS- 09.

References: 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.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.