Summary The Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (DRT) will be assigned to the PFC Floyd K. Lindstrom VA CBOC in Colorado Springs, CO. The DRT will be available to work various tours and on-call status as deemed necessary. The general DRT is expected to perform standard and complex imaging protocols using advanced high cost/high technology not limited to Digital Radiography (DR). Responsibilities VA Careers - Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist: https://youtube.com/embed/I-4ku5UMvWM Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Duties & skills needed to be successful in this position include, but are not limited to: The general DRT is expected to perform standard & complex imaging protocols using advanced high cost/high technology not limited to Digital Radiography & Bone Density. Incumbent must be available to work independently at various tours of duty including weekends, holidays, & on-call duties as needed. The DRT shall perform routine diagnostic radiographic examinations of the head, cervical/thoracic/lumbar spines, chest, abdomen, & extremities in the department & possible portable settings. Employee performs special & more complex procedures to include long bone surveys, scoliosis studies, & bone densitometry examinations. Incumbent shall perform bone densitometry or dual-energy absorptiometry (DEXA) procedures of the hip, spine, & peripheral tests of the fingers, hands, forearms, &/or feet to measure & assess bone loss. The DRT will perform Lateral Vertebral Assessment when utilizing DEXA scan to screen for vertebral fractures. Incumbent shall expertly comprehend & set DEXA machines & special software that computes & displays the bone density measurements on a computer monitor. Confers with radiologists for determination of non-standard exams; determines technical factors, positioning, & sets the equipment to obtain radiographic images. Performs radiographic exams utilizing standard protocols & reading medical history to ensure proper exams are achieved; distributes exam requisitions according to Radiologist assignment & the level of exam priority. Notifies radiologist of studies requiring their immediate attention such as STAT or Urgent. Explains exams and/or procedures to the patient so the patient comprehends actions taking place. Properly records any information from the patient that might be pertinent to the radiologist when reading/dictating the exam. Ensures proper/correct patient identification is on every image. Ensures proper/correct side is marked on every image with left & right markers. Ensures all images going into PACS have the correct accession number for radiologist interpretation & provider's viewing. Registers, requests, cancels, & edits exams through varies computer programs including but not limited to: Radiology Information System, VISTA, VISTA Imaging, CPRS. Schedules patient procedures in various modalities when needed; informs patient of all pertinent preparations for his/her exam. Ensures film badge(s) are properly worn when performing radiographic examinations. Properly uses radiographic equipment to obtain the highest image quality possible. Inspects radiographic equipment, performs daily warm up procedures, & conducts weekly Quality Control (QC) tests to ensure equipment is functioning properly. Performs basic & some advanced PACS procedures using various applications to ensure proper handling of image storage & dissemination to various customers to include but not limited to patients, providers, & other facilities. Maintains flexibility & competency in assigned duties with no supervision during non-duty hours. Incumbent will be available to work various shifts, on-call status, & any other tasks deemed necessary by his/her management/supervisory team. The DRT performs administrative duties. Incumbent maintains adequate supplies so that examinations are not delayed due to lack of necessary equipment & supplies. Utilizes proper housekeeping of all exposure rooms. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Pay: Competitive salary & 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 $144,000 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 #: 554B-57556-A Requirements 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. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. 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. 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 examination. In 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). Grade Determinations: Experience: At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Ability to check system for operation and assess acceptable performance based on established guidelines. Knowledge of calibration parameters and the ability to make adjustments as needed. Knowledge of patient's clinical record, diagnosis, and laboratory results. Ability to monitor patient's physiologic changes during the procedure and keep the radiologist informed. Skill in 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. Assignments: Employees at this grade level serve as staff DRTs at the full performance level. Candidates at this grade level must be qualified to independently provide services in specialized areas of radiologic technology and/or general radiologic technology services with only occasional oversight or direction for highly complex issues. Preferred Experience: Current and maintained American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) (R) certification. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is 8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is 8. Physical Requirements: The physical demand of the work includes: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over, moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds; pushing up to 4 hours; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers, good dexterity (both hands required) Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.