Summary

The Lead Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (MR) is located within the Imaging Services at the Birmingham VA Health Care System. This position has the overall responsibility for the coordination - safety - and performance of the MRI areas.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

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 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).] Loss of Credential: An employee in this occupation who fails to obtain certification within two years - or who fails to maintain the required certification must be removed from the occupation - which may also result in termination of employment Grandfathering Provision: All persons employed in VHA as a DRT on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title - series and grade held - including positive education and certification that are part of the basic requirements of the DRT occupation .English Language Proficiency
• DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d)
• GRADE REQUIREMENTS
• General Radiologic Technology (R)
• DRTs perform procedures and examinations in hospitals or clinics under the direction of radiologists and other medical officers
• The objective of the examinations and procedures is to produce radiographic studies that are used in medical diagnosis and interpreted by medical officers to locate injuries - foreign bodies - pathological conditions - or lesions within the body
• They prepare and administer contrast media and medications in accordance with State and Federal regulations
• All DRTs must be knowledgeable in computerized [and digital radiography (CR/DR) -] and picture archiving and communications systems (PACS)
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• 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
• GRADE DETERMINATIONS
• In addition to the basic requirements for appointment - the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates: Lead Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist - GS-10 (1)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
• 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
• (2) 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: Lead Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist: Employees are trained to work in one or more difficult and complex modalities performing procedures related to these modalities as well as performing general diagnostic procedures
• At this grade level - any assignment in a single modality must demonstrate significant complexity
• Such assignments are unique - perhaps with expert specialization in complex areas of radiologic technology - Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) regulations - and intermediate QM type duties within the program
• The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs: Knowledge of radiation protection standards - devices and techniques - including concepts of accumulated dosage - dose monitoring - and genetic changes
• Ability to utilize advanced imaging software that supports complex imaging programs and recognize changes in equipment and procedures that might result in increased exposures - and ability to recommend methods to prevent such exposures
• Knowledge of basic physics including concepts of energy - electric power - magnetic fields - and properties of x-ray - to understand the operation of the equipment
• Knowledge and skill in positioning of patients for a wide variety of highly complex imaging (CT - MRI - IR - ultrasound - mammography) studies
• References: VA Handbook 5005 - Appendix G25 Dated December 13 - 2019
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-10
• Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting - 45 pounds and over - reaching above shoulder - use of fingers - both hands required - walking 6 hours - standing 8 hours - specific visual requirement - specific hearing requirements - emotional and mental stability - ability to read typewritten characters with or w/o glasses - ability to hear conversational voice with or w/o hearing aid.

Duties

• Under the general direction of the Chief Technologist of Radiology - the Lead will direct - assist - oversee - plan and develop activities for MRI area at BVAMC as well as other staff (MRI) technologist duties
• The incumbent assures optimum patient care - quality control - and the economically efficient performance of all activities under his/her supervision
• The incumbent must possess the ability to direct - assign - oversee and support multiple staff members and when appropriate - inform the Chief Technologist of any incident or situation that could warrant possible disciplinary actions
• Incumbent will work closely with the technologist - radiologists - clinicians - and clerical staff to assure optimum patient care is understood to be the primary goal of the MRI area and that there is a high-quality diagnostic exam done with a positive patient satisfaction
• Technologist operates independently and without direct supervision as the technologist responsible for the coordination and performance of all diagnostic radiology MRI exams and MR guided biopsy procedures
• These exams are performed with and without contrast materials
• The purpose of these exams is to achieve diagnostic studies so that proper diagnosis and treatment will be delivered
• The duties performed are almost exclusively hands-on technical duties
• While there will be responsibilities to oversee work distribution (on a patient by patient basis) and to assist the supervisors with scheduling and other administrative duties
• The incumbent will participate in the scanning of patients - especially with difficult patients - complex exams - or with less experienced technologists
• He/she will monitor workflow efficiency - while dealing with any patient's issue as they might arises
• The incumbent will assign daily duties or assignment to all staff MRI technologists such as patient prep - screening - and scanning
• He/she works with radiologist by gathering data and assist in protocoling studies - performing quality control checks on studies prior to dismissing the patients and assisting radiologist with complex post-processing and gathering data to assist with reporting - assisting the radiologists in notifying referring physicians of critical results - and working with radiologists to develop and implement SOPs and to assure compliance in the various technical areas
• The Lead Technologist is a technologist who work in MRI modality with an advanced certification in MR which requires additional knowledge of superconducting magnets
• Additionally - he/she work with the MRSO for training staff MR technologists on all safety protocols
• Work Schedule: Work Schedule: 8:30am-5:30pm Monday-Friday - with holidays - weekend - and some on-call if needed
• This subject to change based on the operational needs of the agency Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Position Title/Functional Statement #: Lead Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist/FS-53641F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required Preferred Experience: MR certification is highly desirable for this level of complexity but not required.