Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (CT)

VA Careers - Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist: include but are not limited to the following:

• Makes independent decisions during the exams and is responsible for Quality Control of the exams that could affect the diagnostic accuracy. Makes independent determinations of what exams will be performed at what times and must determine when to call in a Radiologist to answer questions for diagnosis. Is responsible for determining when equipment needs to be repaired how urgent the need is and who to report the problem to. Is responsible for maintaining safety regulations and reporting problems to the appropriate persons during the irregular shift.
• Employee is expected to prioritize the work and to respond as quickly as possible to STAT requests in the department on the units in the Emergency Room and in the Operating Room.
• Employee expedites and prioritizes requests as they come across the computer. Arranges with the Nursing Units and Emergency Room for patient transport to the department. Reviews the request for completeness and correlates medical history. If a discrepancy is noted contacts the Nursing Unit and/or the Physician for clarification and resolution of the problem.
• Makes daily inspections of the rooms and equipment to be sure they are clean and ready for exams to be done on the evening shift in Diagnostic X-ray and CT as well as for the next days work. This includes availability of medications contrast material and emergency supplies such as oxygen and suction equipment.
• Employee will be working as a Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist and CT Technologist which will be required to perform all diagnostic X-Ray and CT exams in the department as well as doing portable exams.
• Employee must be sure to enter data and close out exams necessary for the Radiologist to dictate the following day to assure close-out of exams for AMIS reports daily statistics and to assure proper reimbursement of billable exams.
• Employee must send all STAT exams that are completed after hour and on weekends to the National Teleradiology Program (NTP) for immediate interpretation.
• Employee must be able to operate trouble-shoot problems and have a full understanding of the Digital Radiography systems and the CT scanners. Must have a full understanding of which imaging algorithms best apply to the image taken and be able to recognize and apply the appropriate additional post processing and distribution of electronic images as needed or requested. Must be able to take analog images and digitize them accurately including proper orientation of the image contrast and brightness levels and proper storage and archive of the image on the Digital Network (PACS). Must be able to query the archive library and recall previous images from both short-term storage and long-term archive.
• Employee is a key player with the hospital stroke program. Employee will ensure quick response to a Code Brain perform a CT within 20 minutes of the code being called and send to PACS and/or NTP for immediate interpretation and results for the Code Brain team.

• 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 identification 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.

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:

• Citizenship: Citizen of the United States.
• 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.
• 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).

Applicants must have at least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level. Experience at the next lower grade level includes but is not limited to:

• Checking system for operation and assess acceptable performance based on established guidelines
• Calibrating parameters and the ability to make adjustments as needed.
• Knowledge of patients clinical record diagnosis and laboratory results.
• Monitoring patients physiologic changes during the procedure and keep the radiologist informed.
• Using tact diplomacy and courtesy in dealings with the customer base patients staff family visitors and volunteers.
• Knowledge of anatomy and physiology and cross-sectional anatomy recognizing unusual images and determining proper positioning to best demonstrate areas of interest.

In addition to the experience above the candidate must demonstrate these Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

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