Summary

This position is located in the non-invasive vascular laboratory within Surgical Service. Responsibilities include independently performing a variety of technical procedures which require extensive knowledge of peripheral vascular and cerebrovascular anatomy - physiology and pathology.

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) (S) - [ (VS)]
• 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 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) - 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: Experience: At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-08 or the equivalent - directly related to the position being filled that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level
• Assignments
• For all assignments above the full performance level - the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope - complexity (difficulty) - and range of variety - and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time
• 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: Vascular ultrasound experience
• 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-9.

Duties

• VA Careers - Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist: https://youtube.com/embed/I-4ku5UMvWM Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties may include but are not limited to: Advises referring physicians of significant abnormalities that would require their immediate attention and visualization while the patient is undergoing examination
• Performs ultrasound examinations of the abdomen - neck - chest and extremities - retroperitoneal space for the purpose of acquiring high quality examinations that assist in the diagnosis and treatment of patient medical disorders
• Tests routinely performed may include - but are not limited to - upper and lower extremity - velocity waveform analysis - segmental limb pressures - venous duplex color flow imaging - photoplethysmography - cerebrovascular studies - graft surveillance - saphenous and cephalic vein mapping and other miscellaneous Doppler ultrasound examinations
• Participates in the training of physicians - students and radiology technicians so that these individuals may acquire an understanding of the principles of ultrasound and how it relates to other diagnostic exams
• Performs routine clerical procedures for the purpose of maintaining accurate ultrasound records
• This requires maintaining a diagnostic log - patient schedule log - and procedure log - editing and when appropriate registering patients in the Radiology Information System (RIS)
• Schedules tests in a manner to optimize all vascular procedures and the coordination of equipment - while maintaining flexibility to allow for emergency cases
• Makes multiple simultaneous settings and adjustments in operation of equipment to insure accurate results
• On the basis of radiologic findings - determines necessary ultrasonic procedures to yield definitive diagnostic findings
• The incumbent operates diagnostic equipment using ultrasound to record vascular information such as vascular blood flow - blood pressure - limb volume changes - oxygen saturation - cerebral circulation - peripheral circulation - and abdominal circulation
• May be required to perform diagnostic radiographic examinations - as needed
• Develops and maintains patient prep procedures so that patients and wards understand the proper preparations for ultrasound examinations in an effort to minimize procedure delays
• These preps are disseminated either by written preparation information or by telephone conversation
• Explains the procedure to the patient so that an understanding of the purpose of the study as well as any requirements of the patients are thoroughly understood
• This is done so that an adequate ultrasound study may be obtained in an effort to obtain diagnostic examinations for the purpose of treatment and diagnosis of the disorders
• Gathers related information such as patient clinical history x-rays - etc. - to ensure appropriate indications are present for testing and correlation of examinations to other studies can be made by the radiologist or referring physician in diagnosis and recommendation of treatment for their medical disorders
• If no indications are noted - the technologist is responsible for contacting the physician to confirm that the proper procedure has been requested
• Operates multi-image camera for the purpose of ultrasound examinations so that future ultrasound examinations may be compared
• Assists quality assurance technologists in performing quality assurance testing on the equipment using phantoms - test tools - test check lists - etc
• for the purpose of assuring peak performance of the ultrasound equipment
• Maintains records of the quality assurance testing so that easy reference is available should servicing be necessary
• Other duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 7:30am - 4:00pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• 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: Not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 53885-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized