Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (MRI)

The technologist interprets requests or instructions from the radiologist or clinicians. Performs a spectrum of simple and advanced MRI exams following prescribed protocols required to perform procedures of the: Brain Abdominal Cardiac MSK Breast Extremity Urological interventional planning and procedures with and without the use of contrast materials as directed by the radiologist. Observes patients during procedures and reports complications or unusual events. The technologist reconciles the patients current medications then prepares and administers contrast material and medication under the direction of the radiologist according to protocols assuring that current lab results and patient allergies have been checked. Ensures the renal function of the patient is adequate for the given protocol and type of contrast as prescribed by the the event of a contrast reaction must know how to safely move the patient from the MRI scanner table into zone 2 for emergency intervention in accordance with MRI safety policy.

Duties include but not limited to:

• The technologist will perform technical work in support of Diagnostic Imaging under the direction of a physician and assists the radiologist in complex exams and procedures.
• The technologist will be required to operate all MRI equipment and will have knowledge of the required MR safety factors as outlined by the ACR and site-specific MR SOP.
• Technologists coming in at this grade level are required to complete a training period where the policies protocol and procedures of NF/SG Diagnostic Imaging are introduced.
• The incumbent will be exposed to the different aspects and rotations within MRI. The training will include but is not limited to functionality of MRI equipment routine and advanced imaging procedures and patient safety.
• The technologist will also be required to work a variety of off tour shifts gaining experience and exposure to different situations he/she may not encounter on a normal tour.
• Technologist at this grade level is required be on Call-back status. This is a 24-hour modality service and coverage either by call or in-house is always maintained. The on-call technologist will also be utilized when off tour shift coverage is necessary on an emergency basis.
• The technologist operates all MRI equipment a variety of super conductive Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanners highly complex computerized imaging device which employs the use of strong magnetic fields and radio waves to acquire images. The employee will have knowledge of the required MR safety factors as outlined by the ACR and site-specific MR SOP.

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

Work Schedule: Tues-Fri 09:00am-17:30pm Sat -7:30am-16:00pm
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
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 $144000 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 #: 50675F
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized

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.
• 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 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.
• 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) 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.
• 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.
• Grandfathering Provision: All persons employed in VHA as a DRT on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title series and grade held including positive education and certification that are part of the basic requirements of the DRT occupation. For employees who do not meet all of the basic requirements in this standard but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it the following provisions apply:
• DRTs that require a certification may be reassigned promoted up to and including the full performance (journeyman) level or changed to lower grade within the occupation but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.
• DRTs that require a certification only at higher grade levels must meet the certification requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels.
• DRTs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. 3
• DRTs initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain additional education and/or certification that meet all of the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.
• Employees who are retained as a DRT under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry as a DRT.
• NOTE: Each uncertified VHA DRT who was permanently employed on June 21 1986 and whose competence in the safe administration of ionizing radiation was affirmed in writing by a VA licensed physician not later than January 1 1987 is considered fully qualified. These employees may be promoted changed to lower grade or reassigned within the GS-0647 occupational series. Any employee initially retained in this manner who leaves this job series loses protected status and must meet the full requirements in effect at the time of reentry.

Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist GS-9
(1) Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level.
(2) Assignments. For all assignments above the full performance level 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.
DRTs at this grade level may be appointed to one of the following assignments:
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 designated by an asterisk (*):
i. *Ability to balance the needs of patients and staff while still performing complex scans and procedures. ii. Knowledge of techniques for gathering relevant information from the medical record significant others and health care providers.
iii. *Ability to assess factors that may contraindicate the procedure.
iv. Knowledge of basic first aid and basic life support practices related to radiography.
v. Knowledge of physical assessment aseptic techniques intravenous methods and techniques and universal precautions. vi. Knowledge of pre-procedural procedural and post-procedural care of patients.

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: In addition to meeting the basic requirements stated above the following qualifications criteria must be met in determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates GS-9

Preferred Experience: ARRT registered in MRI

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard please visit full performance level of this vacancy is GS- 8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-9.

Physical Requirements: The work requires long periods of standing and walking. There is some bending lifting and carrying of light items such as coils. Heavy lifting of totally incapacitated patients is done only with the help of other employees.