Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist

Veterans Health Administration • Auburn, WA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist independently performs routine and STAT radiographs, portable radiographs, fluoroscopy, and operating-room C-arm imaging. The technologist completes administrative procedures to maintain accurate imaging records, interprets radiology requests, enters relevant information into systems, and uses the Radiology Information System (RIS) to schedule appointments, process requests, register exams, and cancel or edit cases. Under a radiologist’s direction, the technologist prepares contrast materials for fluoroscopy and gastrointestinal examinations and must understand their effects and possible adverse reactions.

The role requires attentive patient monitoring, accurate use of PACS, quality-control procedures, and radiation-safety practices that follow the ALARA principle. The technologist interviews patients about relevant medical history and medication use, explains procedures and instructions, participates in required time-outs, and correctly identifies patients and images. Duties may include monitoring vital signs, recognizing allergic reactions, and initiating cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

The technologist helps identify equipment problems and coordinates with the Supervisor, Chief Technologist, and BioMed/HTM department to support timely equipment service. The role includes maintaining productivity, supplies, and a clean work area; following infection-control, disinfection, hand-hygiene, and PPE requirements; and completing other duties within the scope of diagnostic radiography. The technologist participates equally in on-call and holiday rotations to provide 24/7 hospital coverage and may occasionally cover other campuses.

The position is scheduled Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Telework is unavailable. The vacancy is at the GS-8 full-performance level. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to individual eligibility and program approval; possible awards are up to $200,000 over one to five years.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• General radiologic technology certification by ARRT (R), except that eligible non-certified candidates may qualify for a temporary GS-5 graduate DRT appointment under the stated conditions.
• Completion of a full-time diagnostic radiologic technology training course of at least 24 months, or equivalent, in a post-high-school program accredited by JRCERT or another accrediting agency recognized by the Department of Education; evidenced by a certificate or associate degree.
• For independently performed CT, MRI, or mammography duties, advanced ARRT certification in the applicable specialty is required.
• Applicants must meet the applicable experience or education and grade-level qualification requirements by the announcement closing date. GS-5 requires no experience beyond the basic requirements; GS-6, GS-7, and GS-8 have the additional experience, education, and competency requirements stated for each grade.
• GS-6 qualifications include one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade or one full academic year of qualifying graduate education, plus knowledge of basic exposure technique, anatomy and positioning, patient safety, radiographic equipment, and ability to learn basic computer functions.
• GS-7 qualifications include the specified qualifying experience or education pathway, plus knowledge of digital-image adequacy and adjustment, contrast materials, radiation protection and exposure techniques, computed radiography and digital imaging, PACS, and basic computer skills.
• GS-8 qualifications include at least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade and the stated competencies, including system performance checks, calibration and adjustment, review of clinical records and results, patient monitoring, tactful customer interactions, and knowledge of anatomy, physiology, cross-sectional anatomy, image recognition, and positioning.
• Must comply with pre-employment drug testing if tentatively selected for a testing-designated position.
• Must complete background/security investigation, online onboarding, and required application documentation.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, as specified in the announcement.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service.
• Foreign education used to qualify must be accompanied by a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency and transcript.

Nice To Haves

• Preferred experience in general radiology skills, fluoroscopy, and DXA.

Responsibilities

• Independently perform routine and STAT radiographs, portable radiographs, fluoroscopy, and operating-room C-arm imaging.
• Maintain accurate imaging records and enter pertinent radiology information into systems.
• Receive and interpret radiology requests; schedule appointments, process exam requests, register exams, and cancel or edit cases in RIS.
• Prepare contrast materials under radiologist direction for fluoroscopy and oral or rectal gastrointestinal exams, and understand their effects and adverse reactions.
• Monitor patients' condition and remain alert to potential disorders or adverse reactions.
• Use PACS accurately and perform quality-control procedures.
• Apply radiation-safety practices, including ALARA, and wear dosimeters as required.
• Interview patients about relevant medical history and medication use; explain examinations and instructions.
• Participate in required time-out procedures and correctly verify patient identity using at least two identifiers.
• Annotate patient images with relevant information and use left and right lead markers.
• When required, monitor vital signs, recognize allergic reactions, and initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
• Identify radiographic-system errors and coordinate equipment service with the Supervisor, Chief Technologist, and BioMed/HTM department.
• Maintain established productivity levels.
• Participate equally in on-call and holiday rotations to provide hospital coverage 24 hours per day, 7 days per week; occasionally cover other campuses.
• Help maintain supply inventory and monitor expiration dates.
• Maintain clean patient-care and shared work areas, dispose of soiled linen, and restock linen supplies daily.
• Follow infection-control policies, including reusable medical equipment cleaning and disinfection, hand hygiene, and proper PPE use.
• Complete additional duties within the scope of diagnostic radiography.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to eligibility and approval, with awards up to $200,000 and eligibility periods of one to five years.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• 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.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment in connection with 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 program limits.
• 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.
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual-leave accrual based on prior federal employment or military service, subject to prior request and approval.

What This Job Offers

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