Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist - Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Summary

The Minneapolis VA Health Care System is looking for an incumbent to fill the position who will be an operator of the super conductive Magnetic Resonance Imager (MRI), a highly complex computerized imaging device which employs the use of strong magnetic fields and radio waves to acquire images

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Overview

• Accepting applications
• Open & closing dates

07/29/2024 to 08/12/2024

• Salary

$77,542 - $100,804 per year

• Pay scale & grade

GS 9

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Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

• Minneapolis, MN 1 vacancy

• Remote job

No

• Telework eligible

No

• Travel Required

Not required

• Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

• Appointment type

Permanent

• Work schedule

Full-time

• Service

Excepted

• Promotion potential

None

• Job family (Series)

0647 Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist

• Supervisory status

No

• Security clearance

Not Required

• Drug test

Yes

• Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

• Trust determination process

Credentialing

Suitability/Fitness

• Financial disclosure

No

• Bargaining unit status

Yes

• Announcement number

CBSY-12487238-24-AMB

• Control number

802048900

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This job is open to

• Internal to an agency

Current federal employees of this agency.

Clarification from the agency

First area of consideration is current, permanent employees of the Minneapolis VA Health Care System to include its CBOCS, and, Veterans of the Canteen Service. Second area of consideration is employees of other facilities within the Department of Veterans Affairs. The public and other current, permanent federal employees should apply to: CBSY-12487239-AMB

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Duties

The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

Duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Employee maintains the cleanliness of his/her assigned work area, maintains necessary supplies in the work area.
• In the absence of the supervisor, contacts lead technologist, or Biomedical Engineering, or the service vendor to arrange for service.
• Employee has a responsibility to recognize and exhibit good safety practices; to comply with published and communicated safety procedures; to immediately report observed safety infractions and unsafe working conditions; and to report in a timely fashion work related illnesses and injuries.
• Employee observes patient safety guidelines as set forth in department and Medical Center policies and procedures.
• The employee's relationship with supervisors, lead technologist, co-workers, and others within the organization are consistently courteous and cooperative in nature, and overall contribute positively to the effective operation of the Radiology Service.
• The incumbent accepts duties/ assignments outside of his/her normal workstation for purposes of receiving additional training, and to provide needed coverage as determined by his/her supervisor based on patient workload shift/changes and availability of personnel.
• Proactively identifies administrative, clinical or mechanical problems
• Performs assigned duties with no supervision during irregular hours to insure adequate patient examinations.
• The incumbent advises the Radiologist of those examinations which require immediate attention while the patient is still undergoing the examination.
• The incumbent assists the radiologist in the administration of contrast material agents.
• The incumbent practices sterile technique to prevent contamination.
• The incumbent is responsible for setting up and positioning patients, provides immobilization devices, selects proper technical factors on an individual patient basis and operates the equipment.
• Checks all equipment and reports failures to the MRI Supervisor or Lead Technologist.
• Further, the incumbent is trained in contamination containment and isolation techniques to protect himself / herself and others as well as the MRI section from contamination.
• When operating the MRI, the incumbent coordinates with Radiologist and Physicist to determine the most ideal parameters to pulse the magnet for each individualized patient examination.
• Programs technical factors by interrogating computer console and responding with inputs that will result in the required parameters as determined by the Radiologist and Physicist.
• Monitors the examination by checking computations, performances and results of the selected parameters, to obtain the best diagnostic computer data and images.
• The incumbent performs clinical analysis of data recorded by the computer and records the computer data on film, magnetic tape and printer plotter paper.
• Performs technical operation and general technical maintenance of the computer, disk drives, console, imaging devices, etc.
• The incumbent assists manufacturer representative and biomedical engineers in the calibration and trouble shooting of malfunctions in the equipment used, notifies the MRI Supervisor or Lead Technologist of any failure or required service.
• When operating the MRI, the incumbent performs or monitors safety checks on patients, employees and visitors to comply with FDA safety standards regarding ferrous objects and cardiac pacemakers prior to those persons entering the environment of the five ( 5) Gauss magnetic field. Assists in preparation of manuals and assists in devising modifying procedures as necessary.
• Incumbent is a member of a team providing 24 hour/day capability including after-hours response to emergencies which require an MRI technical support. The incumbent will be asked to participate in such emergency care.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 1:30pm to 10:00pm

Telework: Not Authorized

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 000000

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Relocation Incentives May Be Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

• 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 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). 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).]

• 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.

• Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

• English Language Proficiency. DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d).

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for appointment, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates:

Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist GS-9

• 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. Examples of experience consist of the following: Ability to check system for operation and assess acceptable performance based on established guidelines, knowledge of calibration parameters and the ability to make adjustments as needed, knowledge of patient's clinical record, diagnosis, and laboratory results, ability to monitor patient's physiologic changes during the procedure and keep the radiologist informed, skill in using tact, diplomacy, and courtesy in dealings with the customer base, patients, staff, family, visitors, and volunteers and knowledge of anatomy and physiology, and cross-sectional anatomy, recognizing unusual images, and determining proper positioning to best demonstrate areas of interest.
• Assignments. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. DRTs at this grade level may be appointed to one of the following assignments:
• Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist]. Employees at this level are fully functional as an advanced DRT and carry out their assigned tasks independently. DRTs at this level may have varying assignments including special and complex imaging procedures beyond the full performance level, clinical instruction, and basic QM type duties within the program. Regardless of the nature of the specific assignment, the work must be of sufficient scope and complexity to meet the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform at this level.
• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment-specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*):
• *Ability to balance the needs of patients and staff while still performing complex scans and procedures.
• Knowledge of techniques for gathering relevant information from the medical record, significant others, and health care providers.
• *Ability to assess factors that may contraindicate the 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 care of patients.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MR). This specialty modality requires additional knowledge of superconducting magnets, the physics of superconducting magnets, and how they relate to the human anatomy in medical imaging. The technologist must be educated in the safety factors governing a magnetic environment that patients, visitors, and equipment enter. The practitioner must have specialized knowledge of cross sectional anatomy and how it relates to the soft tissues and vessels of the human body. The technologist must also have specialized knowledge in the radio-frequency surface coils required for each specific anatomical area to be imaged. [This assignment may also perform basic magnetic resonance safety program duties. Technologists must be knowledgeable in contrast media, power injectors, and PACS. DRT assignments that include performance of independent duties in this subspecialty require advanced ARRT (MR) certification.

Preferred Experience: Basic Life Support (BLS)

References: VA Handbook 5005/119 Part II Appendix G25The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9

Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Additional information

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer (TJO). Please visit the Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP), va.gov/EMPLOYEE/docs/The-Fair-Chance-to-Compete-Act.pdf for more information.

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• Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.