Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist

VA Careers - Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist: Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Reviews patients prior images to obtain additional information to optimize radiographic techniques and positioning. Receives patients explains methods of procedure positions patient selects and sets technical and computer factors sets up and adjusts accessory equipment i.e. O2 suction physiological monitors etc. Follows the appropriate protocol and parameters necessary for the required procedure and make exposures to record diagnostic images. While working in each area of Radiology Service the employee will participate in all aspects of the mission of the medical center including clinical service education as needed. The employee will also assist the management team with the collection of statistical data needed to monitor pending studies to maintain adequate workflow.
• Advises the radiologists of examinations progress. Notifies radiologist of significant images requiring their immediate attention and visualization while patients are undergoing examinations. Converses with radiologist to establish requirements for nonstandard examinations. Knows and understands the principles of radiography. Observes the patient for possible adverse reaction and notifies the radiologist if such a reaction occurs.
• Incumbent has a thorough knowledge of both normal and abnormal human anatomy. Performs bedside examinations on the medical
• unit intensive care units.
• Required to recognize the significance of all structures that are always visualized on the monitor. Informs the radiologist concerning significant findings and observation. Checks results with the radiologist before discharging patient.
• Regularly assist radiologists in the technical facets of fluoroscopy and radiography.
• Processes exposed images utilizing computed radiography technique and archiving to the Picture Archive Communication System. Participates in the evaluation analysis and formulation of radiographic image management.
• Evaluates the nature of critical and emergency procedures and rearranges patient priorities to accommodate them. Maintains records of patients treated examinations performed types of images taken and record of images in the Picture Archive Communications System etc.
• Archives studies and keeps records of examinations photographed and archived.
• The incumbent maintains the Radiographic Suites in a clean and sanitary condition. Maintains necessary supplies and determines the need for new or different supplies. Maintains appropriate paperwork for record tracking of examination reports.
• As required technologist may be called back to duty under emergent or special need situations. During these periods no immediate supervisor is available and he/she must be responsible for any contingencies that may arise in Radiology Service.
• Incumbent is subject to irregular tours of duty when patient caring scheduling and/or patient convenience necessitates coverage outside of normal hours of operation. Employee will be given a minimum notice of two weeks prior to tour of duty changes.
• On a regular recurring basis technologist instructs student technologists on all aspects of radiology technology.

• 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 examination.
• 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.

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

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).

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.

• Knowledge of basic technique standards for minimum radiographic exposure.
• Knowledge of anatomy and positioning.
• Knowledge of all patient safety procedures.
• Knowledge of radiographic producing equipment.
• Ability to learn basic computer functions.

• Knowledge of the technical adequacy of the digital image including the ability to adjust the image quality in the digital system.
• Knowledge of different contrast material required for the requested study.
• Knowledge of radiation protection standards minimum radiographic exposure techniques appropriate beam limitation to anatomical area and employing lead shielding when performing standard radiographic and fluoroscopic procedures.
• Knowledge of computed radiography CR readers and Digital Imaging systems.
• Knowledge of PACS and basic computer skills.

• 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 patients clinical record diagnosis and laboratory results.
• Ability to monitor patients 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.

• Produce radiographic studies that are used in medical diagnosis and interpreted by medical officers to locate injuries foreign bodies pathological conditions or lesions within the body.
• PACS-Ensures completion of examination by following proper procedures to transmit images to PACS immediately after the exam.
• Demonstrates safe radiation work practice appropriate for the position. Demonstrate and verbalize proper procedures.
• Infection Control. Understands demonstrates appropriate hygiene methods and infection control.
• Knowledge of calibration parameters and the ability to adjust as needed.
• Knowledge of anatomy and physiology and cross-sectional anatomy recognizing unusual images and determining proper positioning to best demonstrate areas of interest.