Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship
• Be a citizen of the United States
• (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g.) Certification
• All applicants must be certified in general radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology, Radiography (ARRT) (R)
• Advanced ARRT certification is required for assignments that include computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), [or Mammography (M) duties performed independently, as applicable]
• Advanced certification indicates that the incumbent [can operate independently] and has demonstrated specific clinical competency in the appropriate specialty and taken and passed the designated examination
• [In modalities that require advanced certification, to support their continued development, technologists who do not possess an advanced certification may be provided on the job training with oversight from a certified radiologic technologist.] Education
• Completion of a full-time training course of at least 24 months in duration (or the equivalent) in a post-high school diagnostic radiologic technology program, evidenced by a certificate or an associate degree, accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) or from [other accrediting agencies as recognized by the Department of Education (DOE).] [NOTE: Assignment to the clinical program director requires meeting JRCERT minimum educational standards as noted in the assignment description.] Credentialing Standards
• Public Law 97-35, the Consumer-Patient Radiation Health and Safety Act of 1981, requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75, Standards for the Accreditation of Educational Programs and the Credentialing of Radiographic Personnel
• Essentially, they must have successfully completed an educational program that meets or exceeds the standards described in that regulation and is accredited by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and be certified as radiographers in their field
• Grade Determinations: [Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist], GS-10 Experience
• At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level
• Picture Archive Communication System (PACS) Technologist
• The PACS technologist provides support and troubleshoots system application issues and instructs users in the proper operation of digital image processing, storage, and display systems
• The technologist performs VistA radiology, VistA imaging, and PACS support activities and general ADPAC duties including user access control
• The technologist coordinates contingency plans during equipment downtimes and initiates repair requests with appropriate services or vendors
• The technologist provides oversight of hardware relating to PACS display workstations, applications, speech recognition hardware, and other medical imaging hardware
• The technologist provides training to radiologists, technologists, and other clients in the proper and efficient use of imaging hardware and software of the integrated PACS and VistA imaging systems
• The technologist provides instruction and guidance in daily operations of the ancillary systems such as: speech recognition dictation, dose reporting systems, contrast reporting systems, etc
• The incumbent may function as a DRT which may include complex modalities such as CT, MR, mammography, ultrasound, and/or IR
• The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs: i
• Ability to provide support and troubleshoot system application and hardware issues and instruct users in the proper operation of digital image processing, storage and display systems
• ii
• Ability to perform VistA radiology, VistA imaging, and PACS support activities and general ADPAC duties including user access control
• iii
• Ability to initiate repair requests with appropriate services or vendors
• iv
• Knowledge of PACS system infrastructure and functionality
• v
• Ability to provide training to all user levels in the efficient use of imaging hardware and software of the integrated PACS system
• vi
• Knowledge of specific positioning, technique, and imaging procedures so he/she will be able to perform and reconcile image information correctly and efficiently during technical post processing and evaluation
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: DRT's work requires long periods of standing and walking up to 8 hours
• Movement of moderately heavy equipment is generally power assisted such as portable machines, hospital beds, wheelchairs, and patient lift equipment
• Repeated bending, pushing/pulling, reaching above shoulders, use of both hands (hands and fingers), twisting and carrying of moderately heavy articles weighing from 15-44 pounds such as multiple cassettes, grids, as well as wearing lead, patient safety equipment, scanner, phantom, and patient assistance in moving to scan table
• Positioning of patients who are disabled may require considerable effort and working in awkward positions
• Heavy lifting of incapacitated patients is done only with help of other employees along with Safe Patient Handling devices (i.e., EZ-MAT) provided by the Radiology Section
• Must be able to lift, push, pull, and or slide 15-44 lbs.