Summary This position is located at the SAVAHCS Tucson Imaging Department under the Diagnostic Imaging Service Line. This position will provide MRI /CT Imaging for the Imaging Service. This position reports to Supervisory Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist. The incumbent will be responsible to perform examinations in the Magnetic Resonance Imaging suite and CT Imaging suites, PET/CT. On-Call is required. Responsibilities Major duties include, but are not limited to: MRI -Incumbent will be required to perform all aspects of MRI. - Monitor patient during all phases of the examination, removing the patient from the influence of the magnetic field upon completion of the data acquisition. - Coordinate with the radiologist and physicist to determine the most ideal pulse sequences and other parameters necessary to accomplish a high quality examination. - Program all technical factors by integrating computer console and choose the most effective coil for producing the correct signal. - Record all computer data, scanning data, on film , or optical disc, and P ACS. - Maintains all monitoring data pertinent to patient and equipment information and usage. - Performs and maintains a monitoring system for quality assurance purposes and complies with FDA Safety Standards regarding ferrous objects and cardiac pacemakers prior to these persons entering the environment of the 5 gauss magnetic field. - Utilizing VISTA (Radiology Package) will schedule, register and status track all exams. - Must maintain CPR certification - Will ensure that all images are sent to VISTA/RAD upon completion of examination - Reports all equipment problems to Supervisory Diagnostic Technologist or Chief Technologist. - Employee has a responsibility to recognize and exhibit good safety practices, to comply with published and communicate safety procedures; to immediately report observed safety infractions and unsafe working conditions. - Proactively identifies administrative, clinical or mechanical problems, and defines solutions thereof. - Treats patients and visitors with courtesy and respect. Performs assigned duties with no supervision during irregular hours to insure adequate patient examinations. - The incumbent advises the Radiologist of those examinations which require immediate attention while the patient is still undergoing the examination. The incumbent assists the radiologist in the administration of contrast material agents. - The incumbent is responsible for setting up and positioning patients, provides immobilization devices, selects proper technical factors on an individual patient basis and operates the equipment. New equipment will be evaluated and new methods will be compared with existing methods. - Interaction with physicians, scientists, physicists, computer programmers and manufactures' technical design engineers will be a normal occurrence of the daily duties of the operator, along with patient interactions. - Monitor the examination by checking computations, performances and results of the selected parameters, to obtain the best diagnostic computer data and images. The incumbent performs clinical analysis of data recorded by the computer and records the computer data on film, magnetic tape and printer plotter paper or PACS. - The incumbent uses computer programs with competence, and establishes and monitors quality control programs. Maintains operations log, maintenance and service reports. Maintains files on patient, computer data, and technical parameters of each examination. - Ability to start lV's for contrast administration Computed Tomography (CAT SCAN): Examinations include, but are not limited to, CT examinations of the chest, abdomen, pelvis, head, extremities, neck, CT A, and multiple reconstruction formats. The incumbent will also assist the radiologist in performing interventional procedures under CT guidance. - Transfer patients from stretcher or wheelchair to radiographic table - Prepares oral and injectable contrast (IV contrast for injector) - Follow prescribed protocols required to perform procedures - Observes patients during procedures and reports complications or unusual events - Performs daily maintenance of head and body phantoms - Administer contrast material, completes forms (Patient Information Sheet, Consent form) under the direction of the radiologist, according to protocols. - Check and make minor adjustments to equipment as needed/reports major problems/concerns to supervisor - Practice hospital safety, radiation safety, infection control and universal precautions at all times in accordance with age and/or gender specific departmental procedures - The incumbent is responsible for the quality assurance of the images (positioning/label/technique/network information) prior to transmission to the PAC's network. The incumbent assists house staff in use of VISTA/IMAGING and transmits images to off site location for after hour reads. - Provide education to patients and their families on Imaging procedures Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 12:30 pm to 9:00 pm. The incumbent will also participate in on-call to provide 24 hour, 7 day a week; will also participate in the departmental in-service program. Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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. 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 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).] [NOTE: Assignment to the clinical program director requires meeting JRCERT minimum educational standards as noted in the assignment description.] (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. Loss of Credential: An employee in this occupation who fails to obtain certification within two years, or who fails to maintain the required certification must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment. 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: Advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist GS-10 At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-9), directly related to the position being filled that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level. Employees are trained to work in one or more difficult and complex modalities performing procedures related to these modalities as well as performing general diagnostic procedures. At this grade level, any assignment in a single modality must demonstrate significant complexity. Such assignments are unique, perhaps with expert specialization in complex areas of radiologic technology, Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) regulations, and intermediate QM @type duties within the program. The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs: Knowledge of radiation protection standards, devices and techniques, including concepts of accumulated dosage, dose monitoring, and genetic changes. Ability to utilize advanced imaging software that supports complex imaging programs and recognize changes in equipment and procedures that might result in increased exposures, and ability to recommend methods to prevent such exposures. Knowledge of basic physics including concepts of energy, electric power, magnetic fields, and properties of x-ray, to understand the operation of the equipment. Knowledge and skill in positioning of patients for a wide variety of highly complex imaging (CT, MRI, IR, ultrasound, mammography) studies. Preferred Experience: One year MRI/CT experience. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Light to Moderate lifting and carrying, up to 44 pounds Straight pulling and/or reaching above shoulders Use of both hands and fingers required Walking, standing, crawling and/or kneeling Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4 Depth perception and ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors; hearing (aid permitted) 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.
