Diag Rad Tech (MRI)

Veterans Health Administration • Aurora, CO

5d • Onsite

About The Position

This Advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (ADRT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), is assigned to the Rocky Mountain Regional VA Medical Center (RMRVAMC), Imaging Service; MRI Section within the VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System (ECHCS) in Aurora, Colorado. RMRVAMC is a complex level 1A1 Medical Center which provides a full range of state-of-the-art patient care services to include a 182-bed hospital with a 30-bed spinal cord injury and disorders service.

Requirements

• 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.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• 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 ( https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents ).
• Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification 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).
• 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.
• 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 examination.
• [In 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.
• Loss of Credential. An employee in this occupation who fails to obtain certification within two years, or who fails to maintain the required certification must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment.
• For grade levels above the entry level, the candidate must be certified.
• 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).]
• 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).
• 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. GS-8 is the next lower level.
• 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.
• The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment-specific KSAs designated by an asterisk ():
• i. Ability to balance the needs of patients and staff while still performing complex scans and procedures.
• ii. Knowledge of techniques for gathering relevant information from the medical record, significant others, and health care providers.
• iii. Ability to assess factors that may contraindicate the procedure.
• iv. Knowledge of basic first aid and basic life support practices related to radiography.
• v. Knowledge of physical assessment, aseptic techniques, intravenous methods and techniques and universal precautions.
• DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d).
• Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment.
• You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.
• If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education.
• For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/

Nice To Haves

• Onsite training for specialized exams

Responsibilities

• Operate a wide variety of imaging equipment in MRI to obtain examinations of acceptable quality while limiting the amount of Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) for diagnosis and localization purposes.
• Perform MRI of the spine, head, neck, abdomen, pelvis, extremities, breast, and cardiac studies (onsite training for specialized exams)
• Perform MRI of the peripheral and visceral vessels through MR angiography of the abdominal systems and extremities to include renal, hepatic, mesenteric, aortic, femoral, or any other studies according to current protocols.
• Perform venipuncture and adhere to guidance regarding administration of contrast media, use of power injectors, and gadolinium.
• Process studies through post processing software and the Picture Archive Communication System (PACS)
• Maintain electronic records of exams performed on patients.
• Appropriately process orders through all imaging scheduling software and document.
• Prepare contrast materials under the direction of the radiologist.
• Respond to patient reactions that may require immediate attention to prevent harm to the patient.
• Must follow MRI safety guidance, report and document safety issues and incidents in the electronic health record, patient safety reporting tool and to the supervisor immediately upon occurrence.
• Must adhere to all service, section and national policies and directives.
• Review and interpret all radiology study orders for accuracy and appropriateness; review orders, protocols, screening information for accuracy, note and research all questionable information prior to tech approval and performance of the exam.
• Complete imaging studies within the established guidelines for stat, pre-op, urgent and routine exams.
• Coordinate examinations that require radiologist direction around physician availability, maximizing exam room effectiveness.
• Must optimize scan times while maintaining flexibility for emergency cases.
• Adhere to hospital infection control and safety policies .
• Maintain adequate supplies and pharmaceuticals used in the department.
• Inventory and restock all supplies and monitoring expiration dates.
• Notify the supervisor and supply chain management of supply issues.
• Determine technical factors to produce optimal MRI studies.
• Appropriately vary exams or treatment procedures as needed to compensate for patient's individual medical conditions and body habitus.
• Consult with radiologists to determine requirement of non-standard exams and document in the electronic health record.
• Notify the radiologist of procedures requiring their immediate attention.
• Properly identify patients by using full name, date of birth, full social security number and/or hospital name band.
• Verify correct MRI scan, correct amount and type of contrast administered, timelines for any timed examinations, patient position, and all other identifying markers.
• Properly identify areas of interest on all images, when applicable.
• Perform minor equipment adjustments, repairs and exercises care in the handling and safeguarding of all equipment.
• Technologist will check equipment for proper function prior to performing procedures.
• Technologist must report equipment malfunction to the supervisor immediately after trouble shooting and enter an electronic repair request.
• Must participate in quality assurance activities as directed.
• Complete all annual and/or new competencies and required trainings.
• Must participate in the afterhours call rotation.
• All other related Imaging duties as directed.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• 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)
• 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.
• 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 .
• Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
• Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree