Advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist-MRI

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

The Advanced diagnostic Radiologic Technologist has varying assignments including specialized and complex MRI exams. Employee has knowledge and skills to review and research medical devices for MRI scanning approval. Advanced MRI Certification through the ARRT is required MRSO (Magnetic Resonance Safety Officer) is highly desirable but not required.

• Performs a variety of complex Magnetic Resonance exams on the patients of this Medical Center.
• Sets up and position patients provides immobilization devices and selects proper technical factors on an individual basis.
• Develops and maintains current and new protocols on imaging in the Department.
• Performs technical operation and general technical maintenance of the computer disk drives calibration and troubleshooting of malfunctions in the equipment used.
• Reviews Patient charting information for surgically implanted devices kidney function contrast allergy contrast dosing active clinical warnings.
• Coordinates care with ancillary departments such as ICU Anesthesia Interventional Radiology Arrhythmia. Specializes in imaging of the prostate for Urology Biopsy procedures with specialized MRI Protocol.
• Performs specialized Brain scans for Surgical assistance removal of brain tumors.
• Processes Cardiac MRI Images in a Specialized system.
• Monitors and prepares patients with MRI Conditional Pacemakers and Unsafe Pacemakers in the MRI environment.
• Manipulates scanner sequences to decrease metal bloom artifact and accommodate restrictive SAR guidelines due to implanted devices.
• Uses radiation protection standards devices and techniques including concepts of accumulated dosage dose monitoring and genetic changes.
• Utilizes advanced imaging software that supports complex imaging programs and recognize changes in equipment and procedures that might result in increased exposures and recommends methods to prevent such exposures.
• Participates in the MRI Evaluation Team with placement of MRI Evaluation notes to MSA Scheduling and IR post implant Notifications.
• Provides a safe environment for everyone in MRI Zone IV.
• Observes patients during procedures and reports complications or unusual events.
• Performs computer work and required forms associated with patient exams credit of patient visits.
• Maximizes patient throughput by contacts with escort ward secretaries nursing personnel etc.
• Maintains a clean work area and adequate level of supplies within their assigned rooms.
• Performs or monitor safety checks on patients employees and visitors to comply with FDA safety standards regarding ferrous objects and cardiac pacemakers prior to those persons entering the environment of the 5 Gauss Magnetic Field.
• Assists in preparation of manuals and devising and modifying procedures as necessary.
• Provides quality assurance of the image (positioning/label/technique/network information) prior to transmission to the PACS network.
• Assists house staff in the use of Auto Rad system and digitizes films for the network and or transmission to off-site locations.
• Provides education to patients and their families on imaging procedures in MRI.

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 March 92026. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be January 5 2026. 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.**

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 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).

• 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.
• Advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist. 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 Skills and Abilities:
  • i. Knowledge of radiation protection standards devices and techniques including concepts of accumulated dosage dose monitoring and genetic changes.
  • ii. 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.
  • iii. Knowledge of basic physics including concepts of energy electric power magnetic fields and properties of x-ray to understand the operation of the equipment.
  • iv. Knowledge and skill in positioning of patients for a wide variety of highly complex imaging (CT MRI IR ultrasound mammography) studies.