Lead Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist - Computed Tomography (CT)

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

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

• Create and maintain the CT technologist on-call schedule.
• Assess workload and staffing needs, then prepare weekly and monthly schedules.
• Assign daily duties, including lunch and break coverage.
• Report absences and tardiness to the Chief Technologist.
• Recommend staff reassignments when absences or workload changes affect coverage.
• Coordinate leave and vacation schedules to maintain adequate staffing.
• Meet with administrative staff to identify improvements to CT services.
• Report CT-related concerns to the Chief of Radiology or Chief Technologist.
• Train CT technologists on new procedures, equipment, and systems, including radiology information systems, PACS, venipuncture, the i-STAT device, and other CT equipment.
• Maintain staff competencies and train rotating X-ray students and technologists in CT procedures.
• Manage daily CT scheduling, including evening coverage and downtime, with the Chief Technologist.
• Ensure completion of required inspections and records, including find-and-fix, eyewash, crash-cart, scanner quality-assurance, and i-STAT calibration checks.
• Submit work orders and report equipment or facility problems.
• Review CT protocols annually with a radiologist, enter them into CT systems, and update them as directed by the Chief of Radiology.
• Review CT radiation doses with the medical physicist and report doses requiring follow-up.

CT Technologist Duties

• Schedule examinations efficiently while preserving scanner availability for emergencies.
• Prioritize patients and accommodate urgent cases, including those needing immediate surgery.
• Consult radiologists about nonstandard examinations and determine technical settings, positioning, scan numbers, and slice thickness.
• Schedule patients and notify radiologists or referring providers about examinations requiring immediate attention.
• Perform CT examinations, including vascular, abdominal, spine, head, neck, renal, hepatic, mesenteric, aortic, femoral, extremity, and CT angiography studies.
• Use specialized equipment, including pressure injectors, biplane imaging systems, and patient monitors.
• Perform complete-spine myelograms using conventional X-ray equipment when required.
• Assist radiologists during procedures, monitor patients, anticipate their needs, and maintain sterile technique during biopsies.
• Prepare and safely administer contrast materials, start IVs when needed, and respond to contrast reactions or changes in a patient's condition.
• Follow radiation-safety practices, including the use of shielding, collimation, and radiation-monitoring devices.
• Perform image reconstructions for general CT and CT angiography.
• Maintain examination records, patient logs, registrations, and electronic examination information.
• Verify patient identity before imaging and explain examinations, procedures, and potential risks.
• Maintain CT supplies and related materials.
• Perform rotating standby duty and remain available to report within 30 minutes for emergency coverage.
• Stay current with CT technology and procedures.
• Access secured IV fluids, contrast agents, and other medications needed for assigned duties.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; schedule subject to change.
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact V19RMNHRSBULiaisonsOK@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
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).
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 #: 60756-0

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.

Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g.)

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).

(1) 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.

Grandfathering Provision. 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).

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

GRADE DETERMINATIONS. In addition to the basic requirements for appointment, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates:

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 described at that level.

(2) Assignments. 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. DRTs at this grade level may be appointed to one of the following assignments:

Lead Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist. The incumbent functions as a lead DRT for a group of DRTs at the GS-9 level and below. The incumbent provides a full range of general radiologic imaging exams, has a broad knowledge of the different modalities within the diagnostic radiologic area, and is accountable to the next higher-level supervisor. The candidate must demonstrate all of 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/.

This vacancy is above the full performance level.

Physical Requirements: The physical demands of this position include bending, repeated bending, carrying moderately heavy items, and pushing and pulling. The employee may assist patients with proper positioning, which can require reaching, reaching above the shoulder, and working in strained positions. The work also requires prolonged walking and standing; frequent use of both hands and fingers with good dexterity; rapid mental and muscular coordination; far vision correctable to 20/20 in at least one eye; the ability to distinguish basic colors; efficient work performance; and emotional stability.

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/.

• 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 evaluation.
• 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.