Summary The Lead Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (DRT) assists the Imaging Supervisor with the planning, developing, and directing of the DRT staff, students and operations of the Imaging Service. 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. Responsibilities VA Careers - Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist: https://youtube.com/embed/I-4ku5UMvWM Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Major Duties: Assists the Imaging Supervisors in the direction of the technical services and programs of the Imaging Service. Identifies and implements methods for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of Imaging Service General Diagnostics operations Plans and coordinates the work of the assigned imaging department to include surgical coverage, bone density, and fluoroscopic examinations etc. Sets and adjusts short and long-term priorities and prepares schedules for goals on completion of assigned tasks. Monitors work assignments provided by the supervisor, provides feedback to supervisor on assignments based on priorities, consideration of difficulty, assignment requirements, and ability to complete assignment based on resources available (staff, equipment). Monitors the work performance of general radiology technologists and provides feedback to the Imaging Supervisor on work performance. Assists the Imaging Supervisor in identifying and making training needs decisions. Ensures and appropriately documents that all employees are fully trained on all clinical and technical equipment in their respective modality through departmental in-services. Assists supervisors with training of new staff and students, provides some training under the overall guidance of the supervisor. Provides input and feedback for the development of formal orientation, training, and evaluation programs for DRTs within the assigned area, and/or service. Recommends, coordinates, and evaluates new or modified procedures and protocols. Instructs DRTs on specialized diagnostic radiologic procedures, protocols, and policies. Monitors technical imaging contractor work in assigned program areas to ensure compliance with patient and workplace safety and quality standards. Reports findings and concerns to the Imaging Supervisor. Provides input and recommendations on equipment improvement, repairs, and upgrades to the supervisor. Reports on findings and concerns to the Imaging Supervisor. Ensures maintenance of adequate supplies levels to meet workload demands through a systemized process of ordering, receipt, and inventory control. Oversee development and updating of general diagnostic imaging protocols and coverage of radimetrics-dose alert systems and surgical dose monitoring. Assists or generates reports on pending lists, incomplete list, critical results, and fluoroscopy radiation dosage. Reports complaints to relevant supervisor. Provides advice, counsel, and instruction to employees on clinical matters. Independently performs general and specialized diagnostic radiologic procedures in advanced levels of complex treatment situations. At least 75% of the employees' schedule will be designated to perform patient exams to include fluoroscopy, portable, and bone densitometry. Maintains a collaborative working relationship with the PACS Administrator and abides by all written policies and protocols to ensure integrity, availability, authenticity, and confidentiality of transmitted imaging data. Participates in on-call rotations. Call participation may be substituted for Holiday rotation. Major Duties continues in Qualification section below. Work Schedule: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM, Monday - Friday Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). 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) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. 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 #: 54688-F 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. 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 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 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. 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. 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. 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. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. English Language Proficiency. DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). 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: Lead Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist, GS-10: 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 (*): Ability to provide feedback to supervisor on technical aspects of work. Ability to resolve informal employee complaints. Ability to monitor and report on the status and progress of work and make adjustments to accomplish the workload in accordance with established procedures. Ability to perform general and specialized diagnostic radiologic procedures in advanced levels of complex treatment situations. Preferred Experience: Lead or Supervisory Experience Critical thinking Communication skills Experience with providing training 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-10. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is at the GS-10. Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work. Work may also require walking/standing, in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site. Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds. Major Duties Continued: Serves as the point of contact on the prioritization and proper scheduling of DEXA, Fluoroscopic, examinations. Ensures maintenance of scheduling flexibility to accommodate emergent cases. Follows established departmental policies, procedures, and protocols. Serves in all duties with professionalism and respect for staff, internal and external customers. Ability to provide feedback to the supervisor on technical aspects of work. Ability to resolve informal employee complaints. Ability to monitor and report on the status and progress of work and adjust to accomplish the workload in accordance with established procedures. Skill to independently perform general and specialized diagnostic radiologic procedures in advanced levels of complex treatment situations. In the absence of the Imaging Supervisor, may serve as their representative at department and facility meetings. Performs other duties as assigned. 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/. NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit for 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.
