This position is located at the Imaging Department on the Grand Island VA campus. Ultrasound/DRTs perform procedures and examinations in the Radiology Department under the direction of radiologists and other medical officers. The objective of the examinations and procedures is to produce diagnostic ultrasound and radiographic studies that are used in medical diagnosis and interpreted by medical officers to locate pathological conditions, lesions, injuries, or foreign objects within the body. 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) and certified by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography, RDMS. 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). 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. Loss of Credential: An employee in this occupation who fails to obtain certification within two years, or who fails to maintain the required certification must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment. 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. For employees who do not meet all of the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: DRTs that require a certification, may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journeyman) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. DRTs that require a certification only at higher grade levels must meet the certification requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels. DRTs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. DRTs initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or certification that meet all of the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. Employees who are retained as a DRT under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry as a DRT. NOTE: Each uncertified VHA DRT who was permanently employed on June 21, 1986, and whose competence in the safe administration of ionizing radiation was affirmed, in writing, by a VA licensed physician not later than January 1, 1987, is considered fully qualified. These employees may be promoted, changed to lower grade, or reassigned within the GS-0647 occupational series. Any employee initially retained in this manner who leaves this job series loses protected status and must meet the full requirements in effect at the time of reentry. Grade Determinations: GS-9: Must possess at least (1) year of experience at or equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-8) directly related to the position being filled that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level and must fully meet the KSAs at the next lower level (GS-8), which include but are not limited to: 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; and Knowledge of anatomy and physiology, and cross-sectional anatomy, recognizing unusual images, and determining proper positioning to best demonstrate areas of interest. 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. The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment-specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): 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 procedures. 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. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G25, Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist Qualification Standard, dated December 13, 2019. ["---------------- RECRUITMENT OR RELOCATION INCENTIVES MAY BE AUTHORIZED FOR HIGHLY QUALIFIED CANDIDATES---------------- Duties performed by the Ultrasound/DRT may include, but are not limited to: Properly identifies the patient and the images. This includes the use of correct annotation on imaging, such as left and right markers. This is essential to prevent mistaken identity and misdiagnosis of the wrong body part. Responsible to explain exams to competent patients so that patients understand what is to be done as well as what hazards, if any, is possible. Independently identifies anatomical structures in the ultrasonic cross-sectional mode to recognize normal organ appearance, position, and variations of normal while obtaining appreciated scanning methods for each patient on a consistent basis. Performs diagnostic ultrasound exams including, but not limited to, the neck, abdomen, retroperitoneal space, chest, scrotum, extremities, pelvis, and transvaginal. Performs noninvasive vascular imaging using Doppler ultrasound. Provides appropriate exam documentation and worksheets to the interpreting provider. Consistently selects technical factors, imaging modes, and flow techniques to ensure optimum quality images for interpretation by the radiologists. Determines technical factors, positioning, etc., to produce and satisfy requirements of radiographic procedures. Acquires and processes digital images. Performs quality control of the images, assessing for proper exposure technique, positioning, and annotation. Applies post-processing techniques such as window leveling, edge enhancement, brightness and annotation corrections as necessary before archiving images in PACS. Sends after-hours images to off-site Radiology site for interpretation. If sending images off-site, all pertinent priors will be forwarded to meet standards. Responsible to the radiologists and supervisor for the quality and quantity of all diagnostic exams performed to assure an elevated level of acceptability of imaging while minimizing patient radiation dosage and reducing costs. The incumbent adheres to As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) concept to minimize the radiation exposure to the patient, other medical staffs, and self. Triages exams to prioritize scheduled and routine patients as well as accommodate emergency patients. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00a.m.-4:30 p.m.\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 000000/Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]