Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist - Interventional Radiology

Veterans Health Administration • Tampa, FL

1d • Onsite

About The Position

James A. Haley Veterans Hospital and clinics is seeking a Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (DRT) for its Nursing Specialty unit. The technologist performs a full range of interventional radiology procedures independently, including special and complex radiographic procedures, and may take a leadership role to facilitate workflow in the designated area. The position involves vascular and nonvascular imaging-directed interventions across relevant modalities and techniques, and requires independent judgment, ingenuity, and initiative in applying ionizing radiation for diagnosis. The technologist monitors patient physiology during procedures and keeps the radiologist informed, while maintaining patient identification, exam records, and radiation safety practices.

The DRT also supports the operational needs of the interventional radiology service. This includes ordering, receiving, and inventorying supplies; ensuring procedure rooms are stocked, particularly with emergency equipment and supplies; helping assess exam costs and prepare budget projections; evaluating new products; and recommending ways to reduce costs or improve quality. The role may serve as a resource person, assist with work schedules and interdepartmental committees, contribute to policies, protocols, and quality assurance programs, and help ensure safety protocols are followed. Participation in an equitable on-call rotation is required.

The regular work schedule is 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with on-call hour requirements. The position is not telework or virtual. The full performance level is GS-9. Physical requirements include visual acuity, keen hearing, clear speech, manual dexterity, and potentially extended periods of walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Patient or object transfers may be required; mechanical inpatient lifts are provided. The employee may encounter infectious patients or contaminated materials, need protective clothing, and occasionally encounter combative patients. The role requires flexibility and the ability to work effectively in stressful situations and reprioritize according to patient needs.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizen appointments when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Certification in general radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT), Radiography (R).
• 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 JRCERT-accredited program or another accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; the stated VA grandfathering provision may apply to eligible current VHA employees.
• 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 health care providers.
• Ability to assess factors that may contraindicate a procedure.
• 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.
• Experience must demonstrate current radiologic technology knowledge, skills, and clinical competencies; creditable experience is generally equivalent to one year of active practice as a DRT, with applicable rules for graduate and part-time experience.
• Pass a pre-employment physical examination and required background/security investigation; complete required onboarding and annual employee-health requirements.
• Meet the applicable VA employment conditions, including drug screening for tentatively selected applicants in testing-designated positions and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements for VA health care personnel.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, as applicable.
• Meet the physical demands of the position, including visual acuity, hearing, speech, manual dexterity, extended periods of movement or standing, and possible patient or object transfers.

Nice To Haves

• At least three years of directly related Interventional Radiology experience at the next lower grade level.
• Ability to check systems for operation and assess performance against established guidelines.
• Knowledge of calibration parameters and ability to make adjustments as needed.
• Knowledge of the patient's clinical record, diagnosis, and laboratory results.
• Ability to monitor patient physiological changes during procedures and keep the radiologist informed.
• Tact, diplomacy, and courtesy when dealing with patients, staff, families, visitors, volunteers, and other customers.
• Knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and cross-sectional anatomy, including recognizing unusual images and determining appropriate positioning.

Responsibilities

• Perform independently a full range of interventional radiologic treatment procedures, including special and complex procedures.
• Apply knowledge of interventional radiology modalities and vascular and nonvascular imaging-directed procedures.
• Perform technical examinations such as aortogram runoffs, arches, carotids, extremities, and cerebral studies, using independent judgment and initiative.
• Recognize unusual images and determine appropriate positioning to demonstrate areas of interest.
• Monitor patient physiology during procedures and keep the radiologist informed.
• Order, receive, and inventory supplies; ensure angiography procedure rooms are stocked, especially with emergency equipment and supplies.
• Assist in determining exam costs and projecting costs for budget purposes.
• Coordinate evaluations of new products and recommend methods or products to reduce costs or improve quality.
• Assume a leadership role as needed to facilitate procedure flow in the work area.
• Participate in an equitable on-call rotation and assist with organizing and procuring essential supplies as needed.
• Serve as a resource person; assist with work scheduling and interdepartmental committees; contribute to policy, protocol, and quality-assurance program development.
• Ensure appropriate safety protocols are followed, including radiation safety practices to reduce exposure to patients, staff, and self.
• Maintain records of exams performed, register and edit patient exams in the computerized information system, and correctly identify patient images.

Benefits

• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, comprising 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Selected applicants may qualify for 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.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other eligibility conditions.
• Traditional federal pension, with five-year vesting, and federal 401(k) with up to 5% in VA contributions.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term-care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

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