Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist

Veterans Health Administration • Minneapolis, MN

11d • Onsite

About The Position

The incumbent performs a full range of physiological and radiological duties in the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory. The work involves a significant scope, difficulty, and variety. The position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. The full performance level is GS-8, and applicants may be selected at GS-5 through GS-8.

The technologist receives patients, explains procedures, positions patients, and adjusts equipment to obtain accurate, high-quality images. The role includes preparing and operating specialized equipment for angiographic and angioplasty procedures, monitoring patients during procedures, responding to changes in their condition, maintaining records, and applying radiation safety practices. The position also requires keeping current with continuing education and CPR and recommending operational improvements to the supervisor.

The position follows a Monday–Friday schedule from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with on-call duty required. Telework is not authorized, and the position is not virtual. Relocation, recruitment incentives, and permanent change of station are not authorized. This is an open continuous announcement; qualified candidates may be referred to the hiring manager every one to two weeks until the announcement closes, is canceled, or is filled.

Applicants must meet the position’s education, certification, and grade-level qualifications. Basic requirements include ARRT (R) certification and completion of an accredited post-high-school diagnostic radiologic technology program of at least 24 months or equivalent. A limited temporary appointment exception may apply to eligible non-certified entry-level candidates at GS-5. Employment is subject to applicable citizenship, English proficiency, background investigation, drug screening, influenza vaccination, onboarding, and trial-period requirements. The position may be eligible for the Student Loan Repayment Program, subject to its terms, including a three-year service agreement.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, except where VA policy permits appointment of a non-citizen when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• ARRT certification in general radiologic technology (Radiography (R)); a limited temporary appointment exception may apply to eligible non-certified entry-level candidates at GS-5.
• 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, from an appropriately accredited program.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Ability to meet applicable background/security investigation and pre-employment requirements, including drug screening for tentatively selected applicants in testing-designated positions and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
• For GS-6: at least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade or one full academic year of graduate education leading to a degree in radiography or a directly related field; demonstrate knowledge of basic exposure technique standards, anatomy and positioning, patient safety, radiographic equipment, and ability to learn basic computer functions.
• For GS-7: at least one year of qualifying experience at the next lower grade, one full academic year of relevant graduate education, or completion of an advanced registry program with certification in addition to a four-year relevant bachelor’s degree; demonstrate knowledge of digital image adequacy and adjustment, contrast materials, radiation protection and exposure techniques, computed radiography and digital imaging systems, PACS, and basic computer skills.
• For GS-8: at least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade; demonstrate ability to check system operation and assess performance, knowledge of calibration parameters and adjustments, knowledge of the patient’s clinical record, diagnosis, and laboratory results, ability to monitor physiological changes and inform the radiologist, tact and courtesy in dealings with patients and others, and knowledge of anatomy, physiology, cross-sectional anatomy, image recognition, and positioning.
• Meet applicable physical requirements, which may be evaluated during pre-employment examination or evaluation.
• Applicants using foreign education to qualify must provide a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with their transcript.

Nice To Haves

• Eligibility for or participation in the Student Loan Repayment Program, subject to program requirements.
• Current VHA employees in the occupation may qualify under the applicable grandfathering provision if they meet its criteria.

Responsibilities

• Receive patients, explain procedures, position patients, and make necessary equipment adjustments.
• Determine the critical isocenter value needed for accurate examinations.
• Determine technical factors, positioning, and angulation to obtain optimal views of vessels or lesions.
• Adjust equipment settings, including frame rate, exposure time, kV, mAs, shutter openings, cardiac shielding, magnification factors, and source-intensifier distance.
• Make simultaneous equipment adjustments to obtain the best images possible.
• Perform preventative maintenance and determine when equipment repair is needed.
• Apply radiation protection standards, radiographic exposure techniques, beam limitation, and lead shielding during standard or fluoroscopic procedures.
• Use PACS systems, CD-ROMs, and basic computer functions.
• Calibrate pressure transducers to maintain accurate arterial and venous pressure tracings.
• Prepare radiological, ultrasound, and specialized equipment for angiographic and angioplasty procedures.
• Recognize changes in patients’ conditions, including emergencies; take appropriate action and document information for the patient’s plan of care.
• Maintain patient and examination records, digital disc archives, radiographic film badge exposure records, and radiation safety equipment.
• Use hemodynamic recording and event-log monitoring systems and prepare and operate equipment such as IVUS, rotablator, and coronary flow reserve equipment.
• Advise team members and visiting professionals on radiation protection and practice radiation safety to reduce exposure to patients, staff, and self.
• Keep current with continuing education and CPR.
• Review developments in the field and recommend operational improvements to the supervisor.
• Maintain current practices for removing indwelling arterial and venous sheaths and achieving post-procedure hemostasis.

Benefits

• The job may be eligible for the Student Loan Repayment Program, with repayment limited to $40,000 annually and $100,000 in lifetime awards, subject to a three-year service agreement and acceptable performance.
• Federal employees and their families may have access to a comprehensive federal benefits package; specific eligibility depends on position type and other factors.

What This Job Offers

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