Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (CT)

Veterans Health Administration • West Haven, CT

8d • Onsite

About The Position

The Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist performs computed tomography (CT) scans and diagnostic radiologic procedures for patients at the medical center. The role includes preparing patients, rooms, equipment, contrast materials, and other supplies; following prescribed protocols; monitoring patients during procedures; administering contrast under a radiologist’s direction; and completing examination documentation and related computer work. The technologist supports patient flow, maintains clean and stocked work areas, and provides education to patients and families.

The position is responsible for image quality assurance before transmission to the PACS network, assisting house staff with the Carestream PACS system, and transferring images to network or offsite locations. The technologist also trains student radiographers and residents, follows hospital and radiation safety, infection-control, and universal-precaution procedures, and completes clerical and file-room duties related to patient care.

The position is scheduled Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and every other Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. On-call and holiday coverage are included. The position is not telework or virtual. It is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to individual eligibility and approval; potential awards are up to $200,000 over one to five years. Sign-on and relocation incentives are not authorized.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• General radiologic technology certification from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) in Radiography (R), with advanced ARRT certification required for assignments that include CT.
• Completion of a full-time post-high-school diagnostic radiologic technology training course of at least 24 months or equivalent, evidenced by a certificate or associate degree, from an eligible accredited program.
• At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-08), directly related to the position, demonstrating the stated clinical competencies.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• 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.
• Specific CT knowledge and training in cross-sectional anatomy and its application to spiral and/or multislice CT, including 3-D reconstruction scans, drainages, biopsies, and peripheral vascular examinations.
• Ability to interpret examination requests, understand organ function and interrelationships, identify organs on digital displays or film, and judge image or scan acceptability for diagnostic use.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical evaluation or examination.
• Must meet applicable background and security investigation requirements and complete onboarding requirements.
• Must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program for VA health care personnel.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to written certification for continued employment.

Nice To Haves

• Preferred experience: ARRT registration and CT certification required.

Responsibilities

• Perform CT scans and diagnostic radiologic procedures for medical center patients.
• Transfer patients between stretchers or wheelchairs and imaging tables.
• Prepare procedure rooms, equipment, materials, oral and injectable contrast, and other chemical mixtures.
• Follow prescribed protocols and monitor patients during procedures, reporting complications or unusual events.
• Complete computer work and required forms related to patient examinations, patient visit credit, complications, and quality-improvement activities.
• Administer contrast material under the radiologist’s direction and according to protocols.
• Coordinate with escorts, ward secretaries, nursing personnel, and others to maximize patient throughput.
• Maintain clean work areas and adequate supplies in assigned rooms.
• Train student radiographers and residents from affiliated programs and support established program objectives.
• Follow hospital safety, radiation safety, infection-control, universal-precaution, and age- or gender-specific departmental procedures.
• Verify image quality, positioning, labels, technique, and network information before transmitting images to the PACS network.
• Assist house staff with the Carestream PACS system and transfer images to the network or offsite locations.
• Clean and maintain work areas, examination rooms, and imaging equipment according to manufacturer standards.
• Educate patients and their families about imaging procedures.
• Perform clerical and file-room duties related to patient care.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Competitive salary with regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered based on higher or unique qualifications or VA special needs.
• 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 annual-leave accrual credit based on prior work or military service, subject to approval.
• 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 child-care subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to family-income and other eligibility criteria.
• 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.
• Education Debt Reduction Program eligibility, subject to individual eligibility and program approval, with awards up to $200,000 over one to five years.

What This Job Offers

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