Supervisory Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist

The Supervisory Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (DRT), GS-11, serves as the working supervisor responsible for the day-to-day coordination and performance of invasive and noninvasive cardiology procedures within the Cardiology Department. The incumbent provides direct technical leadership to a group of DRTs and support staff while continuing to perform the full range of complex cardiovascular imaging and interventional procedures.

This occupational series may be eligible for the Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP). Repayment is limited to $40,000 annually, up to $100,000 in lifetime awards. Participants must sign a three-year service agreement and maintain an acceptable level of performance to remain eligible for this program. Contact VHAV23SLRP@va.gov for more information.


Duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Assigns daily work and manages shift scheduling to ensure adequate staffing coverage for all invasive and non-invasive cardiology services.
• Reviews work of subordinate DRTs for technical accuracy, adherence to protocols, and quality standards; provides on-the-spot guidance and correction as needed.
• Makes formal recommendations to the Cardiovascular Services Program Manager regarding appointments, promotions, recognition of superior performance, and personnel actions.
• Identifies continuing education needs of staff; assists in coordinating training, and evaluates semi-annual/annual procedure and equipment competencies.
• Acts as liaison between frontline staff, physicians, management, patients, and visitors to facilitate communication and resolve operational concerns.
• Oversees ordering, receiving, and stocking of supplies for invasive and non-invasive cardiology areas; maintains par levels and inventory databases.
• Maintains accurate records of purchase orders, returned items, and equipment sent for repair; performs minor equipment repairs (e.g., replacing cables, lead wires, styluses, routine calibrations) and refers major malfunctions to appropriate service personnel.
• Participates in the development and implementation of policy and procedure improvements to enhance patient service delivery, under the guidance of the Program Manager.
• Maintains active involvement in department compliance programs and QA activities; keeps the Clinical Manager and Section Chief informed of deficiencies that could jeopardize patient care, patient/staff safety, or clinical quality.
• Reviews daily procedure schedule and coordinates preparation of labs, equipment, and staffing assignments accordingly.
• Ensures all equipment is operational prior to patient procedures; contacts Biomedical Engineering, IRM, Clinical Manager, and/or physician when equipment is inoperative or malfunctioning.
• Assists the Cardiologist/Electrophysiologist with complex procedures using equipment and instrumentation for diagnostic catheterization, angioplasty, stent placement, intravascular ultrasound, permanent pacemaker implantation, transesophageal/transthoracic echocardiography, ICD insertion, electrophysiology procedures, and other related invasive and non-invasive cardiology procedures.
• Operates pacemaker programmable stimulators, Rapid Atrial Pacemakers, External A-V Sequential Demand Pulse Generators, Pacing Systems Analyzers, Permanent Pacemaker and Multifunction Programmers under the direction of the attending Cardiologist.
• Adapts tests or treatment procedures as necessary to accommodate individual patient medical conditions and body habitus.
• Completes all mandatory continuing education hours, training modules, and facility required education on time.

Work Schedule: 7:30am to 4:00pm on call required
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized

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).]
  • Credentialing Standards. Public Law 97-35, the Consumer-Patient Radiation Health and Safety Act of 1981, requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75, Standards for the Accreditation of Educational Programs and the Credentialing of Radiographic Personnel. Essentially, they must have successfully completed an educational program that meets or exceeds the standards described in that regulation and is accredited by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and be certified as radiographers in their field.
• Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
• 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:

Supervisory Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist, GS-11

The incumbent functions as section supervisor for a group of advanced DRTs at the GS-10 level and below, which may include support staff. The incumbent evaluates new products and equipment and makes recommendations to the supervisor concerning upgrades/new purchases that would improve operations. The incumbent develops and maintains protocol manuals for procedures performed in the section. The incumbent is responsible for implementation and adherence to all safety practices and policies for the section. The incumbent directs the development and implementation of services and treatment to patients through the supervision, mentoring, and oversight of assigned clinical staff. Experience must demonstrate practice skills in a specialty area or in administration demonstrating progressively more professional competency and judgment.

• Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-10) directly related to the position being filled that demonstrates the clinical competencies needed to provide services as a quality control technologist, DRT team leader, supervisory radiologic technologist, [PACS technologist, clinical program director], or an assistant chief radiologic technologist.
• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities- The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs:
  1. Ability to analyze organizational, technical, and administrative problems and to develop and implement solutions that result in efficient section operation.
  2. Ability to analyze and use data effectively to manage section workload, quality, performance, and productivity.
  3. Skill in problem solving and conflict resolution.
  4. Ability to supervise technologists performing a wide variety of difficult radiographic exams (CT, MRI, Special Procedures, Mammography, Ultrasound).
  5. Ability to interview and evaluate candidates for positions, evaluate subordinate performance, recommend appointments, advancements, or recommend or take appropriate disciplinary actions.
  6. Skill in participating in organizational facility initiatives, workgroups, and/or committees.]

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-11.

Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

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.