Diagnostic Radiologic Technician (Computed Tomography)

VA Careers - Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist: Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

Major duties include but are not limited to:

• Properly identifies the patient and the image. Uses left and right markers. This is essential so that mistaken identity does not occur. The technologist must be certain that the patient ID band and the request are identical.
• Register/Status track exams in Vista (Radiology package).
• Maximize patient throughput by contacts with escort ward secretaries nursing personnel etc.
• Properly identifies the patient and the image. Uses left and right markers. This is essential so that mistaken identity does not occur. The technologist must be certain that the patient ID band and the request are identical.
• Transfer patients from stretcher or wheelchair to radiographic table.
• Prepare room equipment and material needed for patient procedures.
• 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.
• Always maintain a clean work area and adequate level of supplies within their assigned rooms utilizing Omni Cells.
• Maintains CPR certification proficiency with the use of defibrillators.
• Assist Radiologist in the less complex fluoroscopic examinations.
• Performs examinations of the head trunk and extremities for routine examinations and for diagnosis of illness and/or injuries of accident victims.
• Responsible to the radiologists and supervisors for the quality and quantity of radiographic exams performed to ensure a high level of acceptability of radiographs while minimizing patient dosage and reducing costs.
• Practices radiation safety to reduce exposure to patients staff and self. This is achieved using lead aprons lead gloves lead shields lead-lined walls and collimation. Technologists to ensure compliance with radiation regulations will wear film badges. The incumbent must also be aware of and practice the safety policies/procedures of the medical center Imaging Service and participate in quality assurance activities as directed.
• Performs basic monitoring practices (BP placement of EKG leads O2 Pulse Oximetry ProPac sterile technique) related to radiography including emergency cardiac arrest procedures (CPR). - Maintains proficiency with the operations of the defibrillators.
• The incumbent is responsible for the quality assurance of the images (positioning/label/technique/network information) prior to transmission to the PACs network. The incumbent assists house staff in use of VISTA/IMAGING and transmits images to off-site location for after-hour reads.
• Performs radiographic exams at the bedside and in the operating rooms providing diagnostic x-rays to the surgeons and professional staff on patients that are unable to be x-rayed in the Radiology Service Care Line due to incapacity or surgical procedures. Using portable/fixed x-ray units and mobile/fixed imaging intensifier units to achieve these exams.

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 ( Effective May 7 2025 drivers 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.

• 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.

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. DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and7407(d).
• 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 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.

1. For all assignments above the full performance level (GS-8) 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.
2. Employees at this level are fully functional as an advanced DRT and carry out their assigned tasks independently. DRTs at this level may have varying assignments including special and complex imaging procedures beyond the full performance level clinical instruction and basic QM type duties within the program. Regardless of the nature of the specific assignment the work must be of sufficient scope and complexity to meet the knowledge skills and abilities to perform at this level.
3. The candidate must demonstrate all the following technical KSAs and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment-specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*):

• *Ability to balance the needs of patients and staff while still performing complex scans and procedures.
• *Ability to assess factors that may contraindicate the procedure.
• Knowledge of techniques for gathering relevant information from the medical record significant others and health care providers.
• Knowledge of basic first aid and basic life support practices related to radiography.
• Knowledge of physical assessment aseptic techniques intravenous methods and techniques and universal precautions.
• Knowledge of pre-procedural procedural and post-procedural care of patients.