Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist

Job description

Summary 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.

Responsibilities Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf This Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist position is in Radiology services at the Providence VA Medical Center, located at the Providence, RI location.

It is a full-time 40 hour position.

DRTs, perform examinations which are routine and standardized in nature.

They explain exams to patients in terms they can understand as well as potential hazards.

They must also troubleshoot equipment used for diagnostic radiology and exercise extreme caution in the handling and safeguarding of all radiation producing equipment.

DRTs must report major equipment malfunctions within a timely manner to service representatives and assist higher graded technologists in performing more complicated examinations.

Duties include but not limited to, Interacts with veterans, family members, caregivers, providers, and other staff either in person or by phone in the daily duties of Diagnostic Imaging Services.

Assists the radiologist during fluoroscopic examinations with assistance from an experienced technologist as needed.

Prepares oral contrast materials under the direction of the radiologist for oral exams of the GI tract.

These procedures may require the use of barium suspension, gastrografin, and sodium bicarbonate crystals.

Confirms patient identity by verbally confirming two approved patient identifiers such as patient name and full social security number.

Properly identifies patient images.

Registers and edits when necessary patients in the computerized Radiology Information System (RIS) as well as the work list management portion of the HISRIS interface (VISTA).

Performs routine and some complex radiographic examinations in the main department and ER as well as routine portable examinations on patient wards and OR radiography and fluoroscopy duties according to DIS protocols.

Responsible for cleanliness and stocking adequate levels of supplies in all assigned areas and reports equipment malfunction in a timely manner to the supervisor.

Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday, rotating weekends and holidays.

Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.

Contact vhaedrpprogramsupport@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 #: F01417, F01418, F01419, F01420.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Notifications: Due to a critical staffing shortage, 38 U.S.C. § 7412 waives the requirement to apply Veterans' preference for this job announcement.

Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action).

The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted).

In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held.

This position is eligible for coverage by a Bargaining Unit, but is not currently represented.

This position is covered by a special rate.

Narrative responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment.

Requirements Conditions of Employment 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 dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.

Must pass pre-employment physical examination.

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.

Qualifications 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.

English Language Proficiency: DRT's must be proficient in spoken and written English.

Certification.

All applicants must be certified in general radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology, Radiography (ARRT) (R).

Exception for Non-Certified, Entry Level Candidates.

Non-certified DRTs who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for ARRT (R) certification may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate DRT under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B).

The appointing official may waive the requirement of certification for a period not to exceed two years for a DRT that provides care under the supervision of a certified DRT at or above the full performance level.

This exception only applies at the GS-5 entry level technician.

For grade levels above the entry level, the candidate must be certified.

Temporary appointments of non-certified DRTs may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment.

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).

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-05 Experience or Education.

None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-6 Experience or Education.

At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level or the successful completion of one full academic year of graduate education leading to a degree in radiography or other directly related field to diagnostic radiology/imaging.

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of basic technique standards for minimum radiographic exposure.

Knowledge of anatomy and positioning.

Knowledge of all patient safety procedures.

Knowledge of radiographic producing equipment.

Ability to learn basic computer functions.

GS-7 Experience or Education.

At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level; or the successful completion of one full academic year of graduate education leading to a degree in radiography or other directly related field to diagnostic radiology/imaging; or successful completion of an advanced registry program, with certification, in addition to a 4-year baccalaureate degree program in radiography or other directly related field to diagnostic radiology/imaging.

Education may relate to the duties of a specific position or to the occupation but must be appropriate for the position being filled.

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of the technical adequacy of the digital image, including the ability to adjust the image quality in the digital system.

Knowledge of different contrast material required for the requested study.

Knowledge of radiation protection standards, minimum radiographic exposure techniques, appropriate beam limitation to anatomical area, and employing lead shielding when performing standard radiographic and fluoroscopic procedures.

Knowledge of computed radiography, CR readers and Digital Imaging systems.

Knowledge of PACS and basic computer skills.

GS-8 Experience.

At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level.

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Ability to check system for operation and assess acceptable performance based on established guidelines.

Knowledge of calibration parameters and the ability to make adjustments as needed.

Knowledge of patient's clinical record, diagnosis, and laboratory results.

Ability to monitor patient's physiologic changes during the procedure and keep the radiologist informed.

Skill in using tact, diplomacy, and courtesy in dealings with the customer base, patients, staff, family, visitors, and volunteers.

Knowledge of anatomy and physiology, and cross-sectional anatomy, recognizing unusual images, and determining proper positioning to best demonstrate areas of interest.

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-08.

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-05 to GS-08.

Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting (45 pounds and over); Light carrying (15 pounds), Straight pulling (1 hour), Reaching above shoulder, use of fingers; both hands required; walking (3.5 hours) standing (6.5 hours); Repeated bending (6.5 hour), both legs required; Ability to rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, Near vision correctable to 13 to 16 to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of colors; hearing (aid may be permitted) mental and emotional stability.

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/.

Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee.

Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience.

This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave.

Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions.

Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply.

The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer.

For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Required Skill Profession

Other General