Summary

The Temple - Texas VA Medical Center is looking for a highly qualified Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist. The technologist is required to perform magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations - including magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and - if necessary - magnetic resonance spectroscopy during the day or evening shift.

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
• Certification
• All applicants must be certified in general radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT) (R)
• Advanced ARRT certification is required for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• Advanced certification indicates that the technologist has demonstrated specific clinical competency in the appropriate specialty and taken and passed the designated examination
• 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 other accrediting agencies as recognized by the Department of Education (DOE)
• Grandfathering provision
• May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria)
• Physical Requirements
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• English Language Proficiency
• DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and7407(d)
• May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria)
• Grade Determinations: GS-9: 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
• Experience in the specialty of Magnetic Resonance Imaging requires additional knowledge of superconducting magnets - the physics of superconducting magnets - and how they relate to the human anatomy in medical imaging
• Educated in the safety factors governing a magnetic environment that patients - visitors - and equipment enter
• Specialized knowledge of cross sectional anatomy and how it relates to the soft tissues and vessels of the human body
• Specialized knowledge in the radio-frequency surface coils required for each specific anatomical area to be imaged
• Knowledgeable in contrast media - power injectors - and PACS
• Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist
• 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 (*): *Ability to balance the needs of patients and staff while still performing complex scans and procedures
• Knowledge of techniques for gathering relevant information from the medical record - significant others - and health care providers
• *Ability to assess factors that may contraindicate the procedure
• Knowledge of basic first aid and basic life support practices related to radiography
• Knowledge of physical assessment - aseptic techniques - intravenous methods and techniques and universal precautions
• Knowledge of pre-procedural - procedural - and post-procedural care of patients
• Preferred Experience: ARRT certified in MRI or with an MRI Identifier One or more years' experience in MRI Proficient in attaining IV access for contrast administration Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09
• Physical Requirements: Heavy Lifting (45 lbs and over)
• Heavy Carrying (45 lbs and over)
• Straight Pulling (up to 1 hour)
• Pushing (1 - 2 hours)
• Reaching above shoulder
• Use of fingers
• Both hands required
• Walking (up to 3 hours)
• Standing (up to 3 hours)
• Repeated bending (up to 1 hour)
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Near vision correctable at 13" to 16"
• Hearing (aid permitted).

Duties

• Major duties include - but not limited to: Required to receive scheduled and unscheduled patients and identify patients per established organizational policy
• The technologist will interview each MRI patient prior to their examination to determine if the patient has any contraindication(s) or possible contraindication(s) for the MRI procedure (claustrophobia - cardiac pacemaker - ferrous implants - metallic clips - cochlear implants - cardiac prosthetic valves - metallic foreign bodies - etc)
• As an expert in the software and hardware capabilities of MRI equipment - will be required to acquire diagnostic quality MRI and MRA examinations based on established protocols and modify pulse sequences and patient positioning - if necessary - to obtain the highest quality exam possible
• Maintain a logbook of established examination protocols (which includes patient positioning - coil selection - and acquisition parameters) and will be required to keep these protocols up-to-date based on input from staff radiologists
• Complete a MRI contrast worksheet (protocol worksheet) for all patients (to include known allergies and results of recent creatinine/eGFR tests) and will obtain radiologist written directions/instructions regarding contrast administration
• Review each patient's MRI safety checklist with the patient - perform final (tertiary) MRI safety screening - and subsequently scan the patient for ferromagnetic materials with a hand-held metal detector before the patient enters the scan room per organizational policy regarding MRI Safety
• Properly position patients - choose the proper scan coil( s ) - and set the proper acquisition parameters per established exam protocols
• In the case of unusual examinations - consult with the supervising radiologist to determine any necessary protocol modifications
• Prepares gadolinium-based contrast media and administers this contrast media intravenously to patients within the MRI suite prior to performing their scan according to either modified or approved standard protocols under a radiologist's directive
• Places appropriate intravenous (IV) lines into patients prior to IV contrast administration when necessary
• Recognize the signs and symptoms of a contrast reaction and know what steps to take in the event of a contrast reaction
• Responsible for correctly initiating transfer of obtained MRI images to the organization's Picture Archival and Communication System (PACS) and confirming successful transfer of these images following completion of each acquired MRI examination
• Enters a detailed Imaging Procedure Note in the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS)
• Obtains emergent (STAT) serum creatinine and eGFR measurements on patients within the department when necessary using an iSTAT or similar device when it is available
• Rearranges the exam schedule under the guidance of the MRI section supervisor or supervising radiologist to ensure that critical patients are scanned or critical exams are performed in the most expeditious manner
• Maintains records of patients treated - examinations performed - scans taken - etc
• Advises radiologists or referring physician when a particular exam has been completed - when requested
• Notifies a radiologist of any recognized significant abnormality that may require immediate attention while patient is undergoing an examination
• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Monday - Friday
• 3:30pm - 12:00am (Midnight) Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and 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) 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 #: FS-000000 - Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (MRI) Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized