Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist Interventional Radiology

Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist Interventional Radiography is responsible for the performance and coordination of all Vascular/lnterventional (Angiography) exams and procedures and reconstructions of raw data associated with the Vascular/lnterventional(Angiography) examinations. The incumbent will operate independently and without direct supervision.

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This position is in the Radiology Service at the Robley Rex VA Medical Center (RRVAMC). The duties and responsibilities are carried out in the radiology department and other patient care areas involved with radiology service. The incumbent operates independently without direct supervision as a Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (IR) and will be able to perform complex diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. The incumbent will be responsible for the performance and coordination of Vascular Interventional (Angiography) exams, procedures. Exams are performed with and without the use of contrast materials. The purpose of these exams is so that proper diagnosis and treatment may be completed. These assignments require specialized training and experience. The incumbent must have knowledge of complex radiology imaging equipment and have very good attention to detail. Technologist performing exams must have a specialized knowledge of IR procedures and a detailed knowledge of anatomic and vascular anatomy.

Diagnostic Radiologic Technologists (IR) use specialized equipment to perform diagnostic angiographic procedures and complex vascular and non-vascular interventional and therapeutic procedures. This specialty requires a comprehensive knowledge of anatomy and physiology. The incumbent must be knowledgeable in the specialized equipment employed for digital subtraction systems and interventional procedures. The technologist administers contrast media under the supervision of the staff radiologist and confers with the radiologist to establish requirements with reference to contrast agents, vital signs, medications, and physiologic monitoring to perform procedures. IR technologists must be knowledgeable in CR and PACS. Prepares contrast materials under the direction of the radiologist for the purpose of performing Angio/Interventional examinations requiring injectable contrast and enteric contrast These procedures require the use of needles, syringes, power injectors, ultrasound equipment, catheters, stents, PICC lines, GI tubes, CO2 for some arteriograms, contrast media, wedges, bolus bags, and enema bags. The incumbent must know the effects and adverse reactions of contrast media. The administration of the contrast materials run the risk of patient mortality; therefore, it is essential that technologists have a thorough understanding of the proper usage. Adverse reactions require immediate attention so that harm does not come to the patient.Assists in maintaining scheduling, coordinating, planning, organizing, and executing the daily work to expedite workflow patterns within the IR Department. If required, schedules patient for exams and maintains daily log of procedures to be incorporated into statistical management workload profiles. Enters appropriate patient notes into the Computerized Patient Record System.Performs Quality Control procedures, which may include (but not exclusively) the following:

• Daily tube warm-up and calibration
• Lead apron & glove radiation attenuation/penetration survey
• Daily computer file maintenance

Keeps up to date in the technological advances in Interventional Radiology and incorporates these advances into present and new procedures and in-service educational programs for the radiology technical staff.

Work Schedule: 07:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday - Friday with on call rotation
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
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)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 #:40383F
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.

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).
  • 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.
• 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 employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).Grade Determinations: GS-9
• Experience or Education. at least 1 year of specialized experience related to Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist Interventional Radiography (DRT IR) at the GS-8 level or equivalent.
• Assignment. Technologists working in this special assignment may function as vascular interventional (VI), cardiac interventional (CI) and/or cardiovascular-interventional (CV) technologists which use specialized equipment to perform diagnostic angiographic procedures and complex vascular and nonvascular interventional and therapeutic procedures. This specialty requires additional knowledge of vascular systems and major vessel anatomy. The technologist must be knowledgeable in the specialized equipment employed for digital subtraction systems and interventional procedures. The technologist administers contrast media under the supervision of the staff radiologist and confers with the radiologist to establish requirements regarding contrast agents, vital signs, medications, and physiologic monitoring to perform procedures. IR technologist must be knowledgeable in digital imagining and PACS. 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.
• 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.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment-specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*):
  • *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: IR Certification 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-9.
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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.
• 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.