Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (CT)

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Ability to prioritize and triage all imaging requests in the CT and general radiology section of the Imaging Department.
• Independently performs general radiology portable radiology and O.R. radiology exams.
• Independently performs advance CT procedures such as Cardiac CT and Angiographic studies.
• Performs complex radiographic studies with minimal general supervision.
• Serves as proctor for providing clinical requirements for admission to the CT ARRT boards for new technologists.
• Supervises and documents requirements need to complete didactic theory and lab requirement ARRT requirements.
• Performs all the advanced CT procedures including complex patient examinations with little physician supervision.
• Performs veno-puncture for venous access for iodinated contrast exams.
• Assists in performing procedures in other specialty modalities.
• Prepares and administers contrast media and medications in accordance with State and Federal regulations.
• Performs general X-ray fluoroscopic studies pain blocks DEXA scanning and CT duties as needed.
• Works multiple modalities simultaneously on off tours and confers with radiologists to determine requirement of non-standard exams.
• Determines technical factors positioning number and thickness of scans to produce and satisfy requirements of CT scanning.

Work Schedule: Intermittent days and hours to be determined by the needs of the service.
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).
Telework: Not available.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 21R81-A.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

• 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.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.
• 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.

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 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).
Credentialing Standards. Public Law 97-35 the Consumer-Patient Radiation Health and Safety Act of1981 requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42CFR 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.

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: In addition to the basic requirements for appointment the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates:

Diagnostic Radiologic Technician GS-9
Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level.

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.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities. 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.

Computed Tomography (CT). This specialty modality requires specific knowledge of cross sectional human anatomy and its application in spiral and/or multi-slice computer tomography inclusive of 3-Dreconstruction scans including drainages biopsies and peripheral vascular examinations. The technologist requires specific knowledge and training in the location appearance and function of the various major and minor systems susceptible to radiological illumination; to interpret the examination request accurately; to understand the functioning and inter-relationship of the various organs; to use the methods and techniques which will identify organs appearing on the digital display monitor or on film and the various stages of the examination to judge the acceptability of the image and/or scan for diagnostic use and to emphasize the aspects of interest to the physician. DRT assignments that include performance of independent duties in this subspecialty require advanced ARRT certification.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard please visit Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.