Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist

• 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.
• 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.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public determining if your employment advances the public interest we may consider:

• 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.

Upon completion of your trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification in writing that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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.
• English Language Proficiency. DRTs appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).
• Certification. Applicants must be certified in general radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology Radiography (ARRT) (R).
• Education. Applicant must have completed a full-time training course of at least 24 months in a 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).

Exception for Non-Certified Entry Level Candidates. Non-certified DRTs who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for ARRT (R) certification may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate DRT under the authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405(c)(2)(B). The appointing official may waive the requirement of certification for a period not to exceed two years for a DRT that provides care under the supervision of a certified DRT at or above the full performance level. This exception only applies at the GS-5 entry level technician. For grade levels above the entry level the candidate must be certified. Temporary appointments of non-certified DRTs may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment.

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 above candidates must meet the following grade requirements.GS-5 Experience or Education: None beyond the basic requirements above.

Assignment. DRTs at this level operate and monitor commonly used equipment performing routine procedures under general supervision. The technician functions somewhat independently in carrying out these standardized procedures of limited complexity. Deviations from regular procedures unanticipated problems and unfamiliar situations are referred to the supervisor for a decision or help. Some assignments at this level also include developmental duties involving more complex procedures designed to prepare the technician for promotion to higher grades in a functional area. Such duties are performed under closer supervision.

GS-6 Experience or Education: Applicants must have at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-5) or the successful completion of one full academic year of graduate education leading to a degree in radiography or other directly related field to diagnostic radiology/ addition the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

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

Assignment. Employees at this grade level serve as developmental DRTs performing examinations which are routine and standardized in nature. They explain exams to patients in terms they can understand as well as potential hazards. They must also troubleshoot equipment used for diagnostic radiology and exercise extreme caution in the handling and safeguarding of all radiation producing equipment. DRTs must report major equipment malfunctions within a timely manner to service representatives and assist higher graded technologists in performing more complicated examinations.

GS-7 Experience or Education: Applicants must have at least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level; or the successful completion of one full academic year of graduate education leading to a degree in radiography or other directly related field to diagnostic radiology/imaging; or successful completion of an advanced registry program with certification in addition to a 4-year baccalaureate degree program in radiography or other directly related field to diagnostic radiology/imaging. Education may relate to the duties of a specific position or to the occupation but must be appropriate for the position being addition to the experience above the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

1. Knowledge of the technical adequacy of the digital image including the ability to adjust the image quality in the digital system.
2. Knowledge of different contrast material required for the requested study.
3. 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.
4. Knowledge of computed radiography CR readers and Digital Imaging systems.
5. Knowledge of PACS and basic computer skills.

Assignment. DRTs at this level perform a full range of duties but receive guidance and directions regarding unfamiliar or unusual situations for more complex patient issues. Candidates at this grade level may be qualified to provide services in specialized areas of radiologic technology and/or general radiologic technology services.

GS-8 Experience or Education: Applicants must have at least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that addition to the experience above the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

1. Ability to check system for operation and assess acceptable performance based on established guidelines.
2. Knowledge of calibration parameters and the ability to make adjustments as needed.
3. Knowledge of patients clinical record diagnosis and laboratory results.
4. Ability to monitor patients physiologic changes during the procedure and keep the radiologist informed.
5. Skill in using tact diplomacy and courtesy in dealings with the customer base patients staff family visitors and volunteers.
6. Knowledge of anatomy and physiology and cross-sectional anatomy recognizing unusual images and determining proper positioning to best demonstrate areas of interest.

Assignments. Employees at this grade level serve as staff DRTs at the full performance level. Candidates at this grade level must be qualified to independently provide services in specialized areas of radiologic technology and/or general radiologic technology services with only occasional oversight or direction for highly complex issues.

References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G25- Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist Qualification Standard. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-5 to GS-8.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.