Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (CT)

Diagnostic Radiologic Technologists (DRTs) at this level are fully functional as an advanced DRT and carry out their assigned tasks independently. DRTs at this level complete special and complex imaging procedures beyond the full performance level, provide clinical instruction, and perform basic quality management.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

The Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (DRT):

• Performs computed tomography (CT) scans
• Utilizes superconducting magnets for medical medical imaging.
• Utilizes contrast media, power injectors, and PACS.
• Balances the needs of patients and staff while performing complex scans and procedures
• Gathers relevant information from medical records, significant others, and health care providers
• Assesses factors that may contraindicate procedures
• Performs first aid and basic life support procedures as they relate to radiography
• Checks system for operation and assesses acceptable performance based on established guidelines
• Monitors patient's clinical record, diagnosis, and laboratory results
• Monitors patient's psychologic changes during the procedure to keep the radiologist informed
• Utilizes tact, diplomacy, and courtesy in dealings with the customer base, staff, family, visitors, and volunteers.
• Recognizes unusual images and determines proper positioning to best demonstrated areas of interest
• Determines technical adequacy of digital images, adjusts the image quality in the digital system, as needed
• Follows radiation protection standards
• Utilizes minimum radiographic exposure techniques, appropriate beam limitation to anatomical area, and employs lead shielding, when performing standard radiographic and fluoroscopic procedures.
• Utilizes computed radiography, CR readers and digital imaging systems

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8 AM - 4:30 PM
Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
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 #: 55659-F
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Preferred Experience:

• 2 or more years creditable experience as a general radiographer.
• 2 or more years creditable experience in applicable advanced certification area (i.e. CT, etc)
• Experience using GE, Phillips, or Hitachi (CT)

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: Must be proficient in written and spoken English.

Education. Must have completed a full-time training course of at least 24 months in duration (or the 2 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).

Certification
Must have a current certification in general radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology, Radiography (ARRT) (R)

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:

Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist, GS-0647-09

Advanced Certifications

• Must have a current certification in advanced radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology, Computed Tomography, (ARRT) (CT)

Experience.
At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-8, independently providing services in specialized areas of radiologic technology and/or general radiologic technology services with only occasional oversight or direction for highly complex issues.
NOTE: To be equivalent to the GS-8 level, experience must have also been earned while holding an active ARRT (R) Certification.

The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA's).

• 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.

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

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-11.

Physical Requirements:

Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement 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/.

NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

NOTE: If your school was accredited by JRCERT Find a Program - JRCERT or a body that is recognized by the US Department of Education https://ope.ed.gov/dapip/#/home at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the websites, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet.

• 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.