Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

The incumbent will also perform general diagnostic radiography to include but not limited to diagnostic x-rays of all body regions bone-length examinations bone surveys general fluoroscopic examinations in an outpatient clinic setting.

Duties to include but not limited to:

• Properly identifies the patient and associated images to prevent mistaken identity by confirming patient identification prior to beginning any study by using two (2) identifiers such as last name and birth date and ensure that the requested exam matches the patient
• Responsible for assisting patients with safe transfers to and from the examination table utilizing department-approved mobility equipment such as walkers wheelchairs and Hoyer lifts while adhering to all facility and departmental safety protocols.
• Conduct patient interviews reviews medical history and verifies that the exam order aligns with the clinical indication; clearly explains the purpose of the study and provides instructions to ensure patient understanding and cooperation; and communicates all relevant history and significant findings to the interpreting radiologist for accurate diagnostic correlation
• Receive patients and explains examinations to be performed in a manner easily understood ensuring patients are properly attired and prepared before positioning them for requested examination
• Perform all aspects of MRI imaging of the spine head neck chest studies including but not limited to Head Neck Chest Abdomen Pelvis and Extremities utilizing specialized sequences to visualize the anatomy and pathology necessary for diagnosis.
• Perform MRI imaging of vessels through MR Angiography of the head and neck
• Accurately operates a wide variety of imaging equipment to obtain examinations of acceptable quality utilizing the standardized amount of Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) to obtain quality imaging for diagnosis and localization purposes
• Receive and interpret all radiology requests for accuracy appropriateness; date desired and maintains a thorough knowledge of the ordering process in CPRS
• Thoroughly review the MRI orders information for accuracy noting and researching all questionable information prior to contacting the patient or performing the exam
• Work with MRI schedule to assure timely accomplishment of assigned workload making day-to-day adjustments in accordance with established priorities and additional assignments
• Use independent judgment and possess the ability to vary exams or treatment procedures as needed to compensate for patients individual medical conditions and body habitus and when necessary confers with Radiologists to determine requirement of non-standard exams
• Work independently on most exams but confers with Radiologists and/or Section Supervisor/Lead Technologist on more difficult problems.

• 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.

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.
• 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).
• 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 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 examination.
• Credentialing Standards. Public Law 97-35 the Consumer-Patient Radiation Health and Safety Act of 1981 requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75 Standards for the Accreditation of Educational Programs and the Credentialing of Radiographic Personnel. Essentially they must have successfully completed an educational program that meets or exceeds the standards described in that regulation and is accredited by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and be certified as radiographers in their field.
• English Language Proficiency: DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) and 7407(d).
• 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.

• 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.
• KSAs: And the candidate must demonstrate ALL of the following knowledge skills and abilities (KSAs) and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment-specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*). 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.
  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.

• Two or more years stand alone setting/clinic
• Two or more years in a hospital setting
• Performs regularly scheduled quality control scans and measurements as indicated by MRI vendor