Diagnostic Radiology Technologist-Computed Tomography

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

The Department of Veterans Affairs Salt Lake City Medical Center in Utah is a level 1A state of the art patient care facility with comprehensive and complex radiographic and imaging programs. SLCVAMC with multiple Community Based Outpatient Clinics providing tertiary care in Medicine Surgery Neurology Mental Health Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation ER Medicine Surgical and Medical Subspecialties.

• Capable of performing routine & complex CT examinations as well as a basic understanding of human anatomy physiology pathology & medical terminology.
• Perform peripheral visceral & cerebral angiography using bolus tracking cardiac gating (prospective & retrospective gating techniques).
• Well-developed time management & organizational skills including the ability to prioritize assignments & work within standardized operating procedures & scientific methods to achieve objectives & meet deadlines.
• Work independently when required as well as be part of the team including accomplishing multiple tasks in a rapidly changing environment with interruptions.
• General knowledge of diagnostic computerized tomography principles procedures views and equipment including some experience responding to traumas and various hospital emergencies.
• Possess written and verbal communications skills to explain sensitive information clearly and professionally to diverse audiences including non-medical people.
• Remain current with knowledge of imaging technology procedures local policies VA Directives TJC Compliance and pertinent guidelines.
• Identify evaluate and resolve problems by selecting appropriate solutions from established options to include ability
  to assess factors that may contraindicate a procedure.
• Confer with Radiologists and other clinical staff to interpret all radiology requests for accuracy appropriateness and assessment of protocol based on clinical indication research of Electronic Medical Records (EMR) and patient presentation.
• Order exams in the EMR review the screening and contrast assessment forms for accuracy.
• Apply infection control practices for all procedure as mandated by Medical Center and Radiology Service Infection Control policies to include performing exams utilizing aseptic techniques minimizing hazards associated with invasive procedures and proper disposition of all Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) and disposal of bodily fluids sharps and other clean up as required.
• Prepare administer & document the use of contrast materials including intravascular oral rectal etc. to include appropriate first aid & emergency response measures in adverse reactions/situations.
• Implement radiation safety practices such as As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) actively participates in dose reduction & optimization processes and exercises good judgment when evaluating diagnostic quality versus artifacts & anomalies that may require repeat exposures.
• Cognizant of changes in patients appearance signs & symptoms of distress.
• Continuously on alert for contrast allergies IV extravasations changes in mental statuses patients mobility & abilities.
• Champions Safe Patient Handling & Mobility initiatives and guidelines to include use of patient transfer equipment/resources & advocates for others to employ safe patient handling practices.
• Perform irregular hour emergency scans on standby 24 hours per day & call coverage.
• Call coverage requires 30-minute availability from receipt of call for effective emergency care. Autonomous regulation and completion of all Talent Management System (TMS) training Biennial Continuing Education requirements Continuing Qualifications Requirements (ARRT CQR) America Heart Association Resuscitation Quality Improvement (RQI) standards.
• Perform routine General Xray exams Portables & Fluoroscopic procedures as needed.

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

**This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until May 52026. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be November 212025. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled.**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) and 7407(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) 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.
• 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).

• 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 interest to the physician. DRT assignments that include performance of independent duties in this subspecialty require advanced ARRT certification.

• Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-08 directly related to the position being filled that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level
• Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist. 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. The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment-specific KSAs.