Job Summary

The Lead Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (Interventional Radiology (IR) serves as the lead technologist for the IR section and is responsible for coordinating day-to-day technical and workflow activities within the assigned area.

Job Description

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). 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). 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. Preferred Experience: Experience in Interventional Radiology procedures including vascular, fluoroscopic, and Image- guided procedures. Experience assisting radiologists/providers during invasive procedures, maintaining sterile technique, operating IR equipment. Experience coordinating flow, training staff, and functioning in a leader or senior technologist capacity. Demonstrated experience: Hands-on IR experience within a full -service IR laboratory performing complex vascular and image- guided procedures within the last 5 years required. Experience must include direct participation in sterile invasive procedures, operation of fluoroscopic IR imaging equipment, and providing direct procedural support during complex diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Experience in IR leadership, workflow coordination, precepting/ training staff, quality assurance activities, and operation of advanced imaging and fluoroscopy equipment. Experience in a complex healthcare environment with knowledge of IR. Creditable Experience (1) Knowledge of Current Radiologic Technology Practice. To be creditable, experience must have demonstrated possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics (also referred to as clinical competencies) associated with current radiologic technology practice. This may have been evidenced by the equivalent of one year of active practice, which is paid or non- paid employment as a DRT as defined by ARRT. (2) Quality of Experience. Experience is only creditable if it was earned after completion of the basic certification requirements identified in paragraph above. Experience as a graduate DRT is creditable provided the candidate functioned as a DRT and subsequently passed the certification examination. Assignment: Interventional Radiography (IR). Technologists working in this special assignment may function as vascular interventional. (VI), cardiac interventional (CI) and/or cardiovascular-interventional (CV) technologists which use specialized equipment to perform diagnostic angiographic procedures and complex vascular and nonvascular interventional and therapeutic procedures. This specialty requires additional knowledge of vascular systems and major vessel anatomy. The technologist must be knowledgeable in the specialized equipment employed for digital subtraction systems and interventional procedures. The technologist administers contrast media under the supervision of the staff radiologist and confers with the radiologist to establish requirements regarding contrast agents, vital signs, medications, and physiologic monitoring to perform procedures. IR technologist must be knowledgeable in digital imagining and PACS. GRADE DETERMINATIONS. In addition to the basic requirements for appointment, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates: 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 technical/Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) described at that level. Lead Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist GS-10. Functions as a lead DRT for a group of DRTs at the GS-9 level and below. Provides a full range of general radiologic imaging exams, has a broad knowledge of the different modalities within the diagnostic radiologic area, and is accountable to the next higher-level supervisor. 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 provide feedback to supervisor on technical aspects of work. *Ability to resolve informal employee complaints. *Ability to monitor and report on the status and progress of work and make adjustments to accomplish the workload in accordance with established procedures. Ability to perform general and specialized diagnostic radiologic procedures in advanced levels of complex treatment situations. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-10. Physical Requirements: Bending, pushing, pulling, reaching, and occasional kneeling, crawling, and squatting; lifting, carrying, bending, and manipulation of equipment; patient assistance and positioning; walking and prolonged standing; the ability to read written orders, computer screens, patient records, and equipment controls; and the ability to communicate with patients, physicians, and coworkers. Near visual acuity is required to assess the patient's physical condition when performing exams and evaluating images for diagnostic quality. The incumbent must be able to speak and hear to communicate with patients and staff, make critical decisions, interact with patients of different ages and health conditions, maintain patient confidentiality, and work under stressful conditions, including procedural and emergency situations.