Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist- General/X-Ray

Veterans Health Administration • Orlando, FL

8d • Onsite

About The Position

The incumbent works within the Diagnostic Imaging Service (DIS), performing technical work under a physician’s direction. The technologist operates fixed and mobile radiology equipment as part of patients’ diagnostic plans and supports radiologists and other medical officers in producing radiographic studies used to diagnose medical conditions.

The position includes performing routine and difficult examinations, explaining procedures, positioning and shielding patients, selecting technical exposure factors, operating equipment, and acquiring and processing digital radiographs. The technologist also prepares rooms and sterile supplies, supports procedures in operating rooms and other clinical areas, registers patients, schedules examinations, and performs related clerical work. Equipment and work areas are maintained, and malfunctions are reported. Coverage across campuses and overtime may be required as needed, including to complete non-mandatory training.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Completion of a full-time training course of at least 24 months, or equivalent, in a post-high-school diagnostic radiologic technology program, evidenced by a certificate or associate degree from a qualifying accredited program.
• Certification in Advanced Radiology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT (R)), unless eligible under the described grandfathering provision for qualifying current VHA employees.
• Applicants must meet the applicable experience or education and knowledge, skills, and abilities criteria for the grade selected, GS-6 through GS-8. The stated grade criteria include qualifying diagnostic radiologic technology experience and/or qualifying graduate education, as applicable.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical evaluation or examination.
• Subject to urinalysis drug screening, background and security investigation, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
• Must complete the required online onboarding and application documentation.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to written certification for continued employment.
• Work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Must be able to provide coverage across campuses and in operating rooms, emergency rooms, intensive care units, and portable imaging settings as needed.
• The position requires the physical capabilities specified in VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Responsibilities

• Receive and interpret procedure requests or instructions from radiologists and medical officers, and independently carry out physician requests.
• Explain examinations to patients; position and cushion patients, apply shielding as appropriate, and adjust procedures or positioning for patients’ medical conditions.
• Determine technical exposure factors, set equipment controls, and operate fixed and mobile radiology equipment to obtain the specified images.
• Set up the X-ray room and independently perform routine radiographic examinations of the head, trunk, and extremities.
• Capture computerized radiographs, apply algorithms, configure images, verify patient information, and transmit images to the picture archive system.
• Maintain supplies and clean and sanitize equipment and work areas after use.
• Perform routine equipment maintenance and recognize and report malfunctions for repair.
• Provide coverage across campuses as needed, including the operating room, emergency room, portable examinations, and intensive care units.
• Perform radiology procedures with a radiologist using sterile techniques; ensure required sterile supplies, local anesthetics, contrast materials, catheters, and other equipment are available and arranged when needed.
• Register patients, update examination status, and perform scheduling, registration, and other clerical or file-room duties related to patient care.
• Work overtime if required to complete non-mandatory training, including new equipment applications and competency training.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered for higher or unique qualifications or agency needs.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, consisting of 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to approval.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment for birth, adoption, or foster-care placement of a child.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other eligibility limits.
• Traditional federal pension, with five-year vesting, and federal 401(k) with VA contributions of up to 5%.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many programs may be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

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