Lead Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (CT)

The Phoenix VA Health Care System is recruiting for one (1) Lead Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist Computed Tomography (CT). This position is located at the Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center. The Lead Diagnostic Technologist (CT) is responsible for the coordination and performance of the general radiography/fluoroscopy area. This position works closely with the CT supervisor, technologists, radiologist, and clinicians.

30 Day Hiring Model

The Department of Veterans Affairs is implementing a streamlined 30-Day Hiring Model designed to accelerate hiring while maintaining the highest standards of merit-based selection. This improved process reduces traditional hiring timelines by integrating early coordination, faster assessments, and efficient pre-employment actions. Applicants can expect a more transparent, predictable, and efficient hiring journey from announcement to entry on duty.

What Applicants Can Expect

• Expedited Candidate Review Once the announcement closes, Human Resources will quickly review applications, issue certificates of eligible candidates the day after the announcement closes and refer applicants for hiring manager consideration.
• Quick Interviews & References

HR may arrange interviews and will request references within 3-5 days after being referred to the hiring manager.

• Streamlined Pre-Employment Requirements: Following a tentative offer, applicants should be prepared to complete required steps, such as fingerprinting and background check, credentialing, and medical examination within 3 days of the offer.
• Clear and Timely Communication: Applicants will receive clear communication at key milestones, including referral, tentative offer, and onboarding instructions.

After meeting pre-employment requirements, candidates will receive a final job offer and start date. Onboarding tasks may continue after starting, with HR ensuring timely completion for a smooth transition into VA service. If selected, applicants should be prepared to come onboard within 30 days of the announcement closing.

VA Careers - Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist: https://youtube.com/embed/I-4ku5UMvWM

The Lead Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist Computed Tomography (CT) is responsible for the effective operation of the General Diagnostic Radiology Outpatient section. The major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Ensures adequate quantities of Computed Tomography machines are available to meet workload demands.
• Assigns work based priorities, taking into consideration difficulty, requirements of assignment, and the capabilities of employees.
• Develops and maintains the schedule for the Diagnostic Radiologic Technologists, in accordance with service leadership.
• Coordinates leave requests, vacation schedule of staff to ensure optimal staffing levels.
• Evaluates technical work of staff to ensure quality and standards compliance.
• Provides advice or instruction to employees on both clinical and administrative matters.
• Follows established Quality Assurance (QA) guidelines and protocols to ensure integrity, availability, authenticity, and confidentiality of imaging data transmitted by various modalities.
• Trains new employees.
• Provides refresher training for current employees in the use of hospital software, such as PACS, VistA, and CPRS.
• Reviews images for acceptability for interpretation by radiologists, prior to routing to work/display stations.
• Ensures images are transmitted according to established quality management guidelines.
• Maintains records on the shared drive of fluoroscopy exams, and the fluoroscopy dose log.

Work Schedule: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 7:00 am - 5:00 pm (Off on Wednesdays)
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)
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 00000
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), and Advanced ARRT certification is required for assignments that include Computed Tomography (CT) duties performed independently. (Please submit a copy of your certifications with your application package.)
• 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). (Please submit a copy of transcripts.)
• 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: In addition to the basic requirements above, candidates must meet the following grade requirements.

GS-10 Lead Diagnostics Radiologic Technologist (DRT) 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. Specialized experience includes but not limited to: specific knowledge of cross-sectional human anatomy and its application in spiral and/or, multi-slice computer Tomography, inclusive of 3-D reconstruction scans, including drainages, biopsies, peripheral vascular examinations, reviews images for acceptability for interpretation by radiologists, maintains records and files of exams, and performing intravenous injection of contrast media. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*):

1. Ability to provide feedback to supervisor on technical aspects of work.
2. *Ability to resolve informal employee complaints.
3. *Ability to monitor and report on the status and progress of work and make adjustments to accomplish the workload in accordance with established procedures.
4. Ability to perform general and specialized diagnostic radiologic procedures in advanced levels of complex treatment situations.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: The physical demands of the work include some bending and carrying of moderately heavy articles. Patients sometimes are assisted to achieve proper positioning which may require reaching or work in strained positions. 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.

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

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.