Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (Interventional Radiography)

Summary
This Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (DRT), Interventional Radiography (IR), position is assigned to the Fredericksburg, Virginia, Radiology Service; Interventional Radiology section. The DRT (IR) employee at this level is fully functional as an Advanced DRT and can carry out the assigned tasks independently. Assists the angiography practitioner in conducting highly specialized/complex and invasive diagnostic and therapeutic angiography and interventional radiology procedures.
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Duties
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Duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Accurately operates a wide variety of imaging equipment to obtain examinations of acceptable quality, utilizing the least amount of radiation to obtain quality imaging for diagnosis and localization purposes. Equipment may include, but is not limited to: fluoroscopy, conventional plain film radiography, tomography, portable radiography, digital radiography, and computed radiography.
• Performs all aspects of IR imaging to include: upper and lower extremity, visceral, pulmonary, and carotid/cerebral arteriography and venography; angioplasty; stent and IVC filter insertion; central and peripheral venous access device insertion; mechanical and pharmacological thrombolysis; thrombectomies; biliary and urinary drainage procedures; percutaneous and trans vascular biopsies; percutaneous drainages; facet and joint injections including arthrography; myelography; and embolization and hemostasis procedures; procedures involving radiopharmaceuticals. New interventional procedures may be added to the procedure list.
• Performs exams utilizing surgical sterile techniques. This requires proper preparation of sterile trays, proper labeling of medications dispensed to sterile trays, knowledge of supplies and specific locations, and assuring measures have been taken to prevent contamination of the patient and equipment
• Responsible for training, assisting, and coordinating the work of one or more lower- graded technologists.
• Technologist is competent and educated in all service policies pertaining to the technologist and their assigned work section. Maintains knowledge of all department and IR section policies, acknowledging the receipt and understanding of these policies through communication with their direct supervisor
• Technologist receives and interprets all radiology requests for accuracy, appropriateness; and date desired and maintains a thorough knowledge of the ordering process in CPRS. Thoroughly reviews the IR orders screening information for accuracy, noting and researching all questionable information before contacting the patient or performing the exam. Inputs pertinent information into the designated computer systems and has the knowledge to register, complete, cancel, and edit exams.
• Use independent judgment and possesses the ability to vary exams or treatment procedures as needed to compensate for the patient's individual medical conditions and body habitus.
• Performs and completes imaging studies within the established guidelines for stat, pre op, urgent, and routine exams.

Work Schedule : 8:00am - 4:30pm, Monday- Friday
Telework : Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement # :
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives : Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Requirements
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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the 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.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
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.
• English Language Proficiency: DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d).
• Education: Completion of a full-time training course of at least 24 months in duration (or the 2 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).
• Licensure/Certification: All applicants must be certified in general radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology, Radiography (ARRT) (R).

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 Requirement: At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level of GS-8, directly related to the position being filled that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level.
Interventional Radiography (IR). Technologists working in this special assignment may function as vascular interventional (VI), cardiac interventional (Cl) 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.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSA's.
i. *Ability to balance the needs of patients and staff while still performing complex scans and procedures.
ii. Knowledge of techniques for gathering relevant information from the medical record, significant others, and health care providers.
iii. *Ability to assess factors that may contraindicate the procedure.
iv. Knowledge of basic first aid and basic life support practices related to radiography.
v. Knowledge of physical assessment, aseptic techniques, intravenous methods and techniques and universal precautions.
vi. Knowledge of pre-procedural, procedural, and post-procedural care of patients.
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
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09.
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.
Education
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: 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:
Additional information
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. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments.
Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
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.
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.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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