Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

The primary duties of the DRT may include but are not limited to:

• Performs routine to moderately complex Diagnostic radiographic examinations using digital imaging equipment including digital radio graphic digital fluoroscopic and digital radio graphic chess systems.
• Obtains diagnostic quality images for use in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with or without the use of intricate contrast materials and accordance with the established protocols.
• Provides imaging coverage on a 24-hour seven-day-a-week basis including weekends and holidays in accordance with the service needs and tour assignments.
• Reviews and interprets imaging results and instructions to ensure appropriateness of examinations and compliance with diagnostic requirements.
• Prepares contrast materials under the direction of the radiologist for examinations of the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract.
• Verifies patient identification using two patient identifiers full name full social security number and or date of birth. Hospital band for non-verbal patients.
• Correctly applies right and left anatomical markers to ensure accurate imaging identification and prevent errors.
• Establishes report with patients explains procedure in a clear and professional manner and obtains patient cooperation to ensure safe and effective examinations.
• Performs radiographic examinations at the bedside and in operating rooms.
• Practices radiation safety principles to minimize exposure to patients staff and by self by utilizing shielding devices communications lead line barriers and personal monitoring devices and compliance with regulatory and facility safety standards.
• Provides guidance to junior technologists and student technologists serving as a mentor to develop both.
• Adheres to Medical Center safety policies and procedures and participates in quality assurance and quality improvement activities as directed.
• Registers documents exam details and edits in the Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture (VistA).
• Transmits images to Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) for interpretation- Carestream and VistA imaging.
• Maintains clean work area and appropriately stock levels of supplies in assigned work areas.
• Promptly reports equipment malfunctions or safety concerns to supervisor.
• Demonstrates professionalism cooperation and the ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary healthcare team.
• Participates in continuing education and training to maintain professional competencies and remain current with technological advances in diagnostic radiology.
• Applies knowledge of human anatomy physiology and medical terminology to perform accurate radiographic positions and exposure techniques.
• Assumes responsibility for quality of radiographic exams to radiologists and supervisors ensuring radiographs meet high quality standards minimizing patient radiation exposure and reducing associated costs.
• Maintains Basic Life Support (BCLS) and American Registry of Radiologic Technologist (ARRT) certification in accordance with local policy.
• Demonstrates knowledge of sterile technique including medical and surgical asepsis.

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 evaluation.
• 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

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.
  • NOTE: 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.
• 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).

AND
(2) Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and addition to the experience above the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
(a) Knowledge of the technical adequacy of the digital image including the ability to adjust the image quality in the digital system.
(b) Knowledge of different contrast material required for the requested study.
(c) Knowledge of radiation protection standards minimum radiographic exposure techniques appropriate beam limitation to anatomical area and employing lead shielding when performing standard radiographic and fluoroscopic procedures.
(d) Knowledge of computed radiography CR readers and Digital Imaging systems.
(e) Knowledge of PACS and basic computer skills.

Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist GS-8:
(1) Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level.
AND
(2) Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and addition to the experience above the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
(a) Ability to check system for operation and assess acceptable performance based on established guidelines.
(b) Knowledge of calibration parameters and the ability to make adjustments as needed.
(c) Knowledge of patients clinical record diagnosis and laboratory results.
(d) Ability to monitor patients physiologic changes during the procedure and keep the radiologist informed.
(e) Skill in using tact diplomacy and courtesy in dealings with the customer base patients staff family visitors and volunteers.
(f) Knowledge of anatomy and physiology and cross-sectional anatomy recognizing unusual images and determining proper positioning to best demonstrate areas of interest.