Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist - Computed Tomography

Veterans Health Administration • Salt Lake City, UT

11h • Onsite

About The Position

The Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist performs routine and complex CT examinations of the head, neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis, spine, extremities, and vascular system, applying knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathology, and medical terminology. The role may also perform general radiography, portable radiography, and fluoroscopic procedures within the technologist’s training, credentialing, and scope of practice when operationally necessary.

The technologist selects and adapts imaging protocols to clinical indications and patient-specific factors, reviews medical records and imaging requests, and gathers relevant history from patients, caregivers, and the interdisciplinary care team. Responsibilities include explaining procedures, assessing patients before, during, and after examinations, establishing intravenous access when authorized, administering and documenting contrast, and operating power injectors safely. Communication should be respectful and trauma-informed, taking account of individual patient needs.

The position applies radiation-protection and dose-optimization practices, including ALARA, and monitors dose information to identify and address potential unnecessary or unusually high exposure. It also involves equipment checks and quality-control procedures, troubleshooting and reporting equipment or image-quality concerns, and following infection-control policies.

The technologist maintains accurate patient, procedure, contrast, dose, imaging, and examination-status records across VA electronic systems, including VistA/CPRS, VistA Imaging, PACS, RIS, JLV, and iPlan. The role coordinates care with clinics and departments, prioritizes assignments, and may provide technical guidance, orientation, and informal training to students and staff.

The position has varying shifts that may include days, nights, weekends, holidays, and call rotation. Telework and virtual work are not available. Relocation or recruitment incentives may be authorized. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to its eligibility rules and application process; approved awards may be up to $200,000. This is a permanent position, and PCS is not authorized.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Certification in general radiologic technology by ARRT in Radiography (R).
• Advanced ARRT certification for assignments that include independent CT duties; technologists without advanced certification may receive on-the-job training with oversight in modalities requiring it.
• Completion of a full-time post-high-school diagnostic radiologic technology program of at least 24 months or equivalent, evidenced by a certificate or associate degree and accredited by JRCERT or another DOE-recognized accrediting agency.
• At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, directly related to the position, demonstrating the required clinical competencies.
• Ability to balance patient and staff needs while performing complex scans and procedures.
• Knowledge of techniques for gathering relevant information from medical records, significant others, and healthcare providers.
• Ability to assess factors that may contraindicate procedures.
• 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 patient care.
• Ability to meet the role’s physical demands, including stamina, strength, and dexterity to provide direct patient care, assist patients safely, and manage heavy medical equipment.
• Subject to background and security investigation, and pre-appointment urinalysis for applicants selected for testing-designated positions.
• Must meet Selective Service registration requirements where applicable and participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Must complete VA onboarding and application requirements and serve a one- or two-year trial period.

Nice To Haves

• Current VHA employees in the occupation may qualify under the Grandfathering Provision if they meet the applicable criteria.
• Prior work or military service may be considered for annual leave accrual credit, subject to request and approval.

Responsibilities

• Independently perform routine and complex CT examinations across multiple body regions and vascular systems, including complex examinations when assigned and credentialed.
• Perform general radiographic, portable, and fluoroscopic procedures within training, credentialing, and scope of practice when operationally necessary.
• Select and modify imaging protocols based on clinical indications, medical history, prior imaging, laboratory results, patient-specific factors, and ability to cooperate.
• Use advanced CT software and post-processing applications to produce clinically useful images and reconstructions.
• Review the electronic medical record, imaging requests, clinical history, prior examinations, laboratory values, allergies, medication profiles, and provider notes; enter orders and review screening and contrast-assessment forms.
• Interview patients, families, caregivers, and healthcare team members to verify identity, explain procedures, obtain relevant history, assess cooperation, and identify factors that may affect examinations.
• Communicate respectfully and in a trauma-informed manner, adapting communication to sensory or cognitive impairment, anxiety, pain, limited mobility, and language barriers.
• Assess patients before, during, and after procedures for clinical changes and potential complications; champion Safe Patient Handling and Mobility initiatives.
• Establish intravenous access when permitted by scope of practice and local policy; prepare, administer, and document contrast through applicable routes; safely operate power injectors and monitor for adverse effects.
• Apply radiation-protection and dose-optimization principles, monitor CT dose information, take corrective action within assigned authority, and communicate dose concerns.
• Perform or document daily equipment checks, quality-control procedures, and operational assessments; troubleshoot within competency and promptly report significant problems and hazards.
• Apply required infection-control practices.
• Coordinate care with clinics and departments, balance patient, staff, and service needs, and prioritize assignments to meet deadlines.
• Maintain accurate patient, procedure, contrast, dose, image, and examination-status information in VA electronic systems, ensuring images and associated data are correctly labeled, routed, transmitted, reconciled, and available for interpretation.
• Document information required for quality assurance, quality control, performance improvement, patient safety, contrast administration, radiation-dose monitoring, equipment issues, and adverse-event reporting.
• Process and review patient studies in electronic medical networks, including VistA, VistA Imaging, RIS, JLV, iPlan, and PACS.
• Provide technical guidance, orientation, and informal training to students, new employees, lower-graded DRTs, nursing personnel, and other clinical staff as assigned.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program eligibility, with potential approved awards of up to $200,000, subject to program requirements.
• Federal employee benefits package for eligible employees and their families.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior federal work or military service, subject to approval.
• Relocation or recruitment incentives may be authorized.

What This Job Offers

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