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:

• Citizenship
• 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
• 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: 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 1 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 2b above
• Experience as a graduate DRT is creditable provided the candidate functioned as a DRT and subsequently passed the certification examination
• (3) Part-Time Experience
• Part-time experience as a DRT is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweek
• For example, a DRT would receive 1 week of full-time credit for each 2 weeks of half-time work
• Computed Tomography (CT)
• This specialty modality requires specific knowledge of cross sectional human anatomy and its application in spiral, and/or, multi-slice computer tomography, inclusive of 3-D reconstruction scans, including drainages, biopsies, and peripheral vascular examinations
• The technologist requires specific knowledge and training in the location, appearance, and function of the various major and minor systems susceptible to radiological illumination
• to interpret the examination request accurately
• to understand the functioning and inter- relationship of the various organs
• to use the methods and techniques which will identify organs appearing on the digital display monitor, or on film, and the various stages of the examination to judge the acceptability of the image and/or scan for diagnostic use and to emphasize the aspects of interest to the physician
• [DRT assignments that include performance of independent duties in this subspecialty require advanced ARRT certification.] GRADE DETERMINATION 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: (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
• (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: (a) 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
• The candidate must demonstrate 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 Skill to demonstrate appropriate techniques to gather 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
• and Knowledge of pre-procedural, procedural, and post-procedural care of patients
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: The physical demands of the work includes: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over
• moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds
• pushing up to 4 hours
• reaching above shoulder
• use of fingers, good dexterity (both hands required)
• prolonged walking, prolonged standing
• repeated bending
• ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20
• ability to distinguish basic colors
• hearing (aid permitted)
• speed in working
• and emotional stability
• Must have the ability to stand and work while wearing a lead apron for possibly long periods of time.