Summary The DRT(CT) technologist operates CT (Computed Tomography) scanners to acquire diagnostic images of patients, and support CT-guided procedures to enable the diagnosis and treatment of disease. Exam requests are screened for appropriateness and reviewed with a radiologist as needed. Responsibilities Major Duties: Provides CT examinations such as but not limited to, routine exams, biopsies, and CT angiography. Provides support to physicians/other medical professionals in using diagnostic instruments, equipment and accessories. Provide patient education, confirm patient orders, review history, enter basic imaging protocols, download patient demographics and ensure the image recording devices and network connections are viable. Adjust imaging parameters to maximize image quality and to accommodate for the patient's body habitus and pre-existing pathology. Receives requests/instructions for procedures; interprets requests/instructions from physician. Understands and carries out the requests or seeks assistance when an uncommon, unique, or new procedure is required. Monitors patient's condition and vital signs; takes immediate action when patient's condition indicates undue stress, trauma or other adverse symptoms indicating onset of complications. Routinely cleans and inspects equipment to insure proper mechanical and electrical operation and promptly enters work orders to biomedical engineering. Apply principles of customer service and whole health to promote a positive patient experience. Assist schedulers in making appointments that are timely, coordinated with other appointments when possible to reduce travel burden, and aligned with the overall care plan. Perform the technical operations to acquire diagnostic CT images and support CT-guided invasive procedures, using the CT scanner, associated devices and supplies. Apply radiation safety practices, including the concepts of time, distance and shielding, and the ALARA principle of keeping radiation exposure to As Low as Reasonably Achievable. Establish venous access using a needle/sheath angiocatheter employing sterile technique. Assess IV access for adequacy to support high rates of injection. Work Schedule: Friday thru Sunday 7am- 7pm, plus one eight hour shift per pay period. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Preferred Experience: 5 years of CT experience 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. You may be required to serve a trial period. 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). 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. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Certification. Must be certified in general radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT)(R); AND Advanced ARRT certification for Computed Tomography (CT) is required for this position. NOTE: Experience is only creditable if it was earned after completion of the basic ARRT certification requirements. Experience as a graduate DRT is creditable provided the candidate functioned as a DRT and subsequently passed the certification examination. Education. Completion of a full-time training course of at least 24 months duration (or the equivalent) in a post-high school diagnostic radiologic technology program, evidenced by a certificate or an associate's degree, accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) or from schools accredited by the ARRT and certification by the ARRT in radiology. Physical Requirements. Must be able to pass a pre-employment physical. English Language Proficiency. Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA policy. 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). Grade Determinations: In addition to meeting the basic requirements above, the following criteria must be met to be minimally qualified: SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE FOR GS-9 LEVEL: Completion of 1 year of experience at the next lower grade level (GS-8), that is directly related to the position to be filled and that demonstrates possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics needed to provide services as a diagnostic radiologic technologist. Computed Tomography (CT): This specialty modality requires 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, and peripheral vascular examinations. The technologist requires specific knowledge and training in the location, appearance, and function of the various major and minor systems susceptible to radiological illumination; to interpret the examination request accurately; to understand the functioning and inter-relationship of the various organs; to use the methods and techniques which will identify organs appearing on the digital display monitor, or on film, and the various stages of the examination to judge the acceptability of the image and/or scan for diagnostic use and to emphasize the aspects of particular interest to the physician. This subspecialty requires advanced ARRT certification. References: VA Handbook 5005/77 Part II Appendix G25 Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting & carrying (15-44 lbs); Straight pulling and pushing (Up to 7 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking and standing (Up to 7 hours); Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision 20/50 and 20/100; Emotional/mental 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.
