Summary This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until July 30, 2024. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be February 14, 2024, with subsequent cut-off dates starting March 1, 2024 and on the 1st of each month thereafter. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled. Responsibilities Major duties may include, but are not limited to: The incumbent is responsible for critiquing images for quality and notifying the Vascular Surgeon of significant exams requiring immediate attention while the patient is undergoing examination. These exams are performed with and without contrast materials. Specific diagnostic patterns must be recognized during the test for optimum results. The incumbent follows all established guidelines which must be done with the approval of the Vascular Surgeon. The incumbent independently accomplishes procedures and handles deviation in work assignments. The incumbent is responsible for critiquing images for quality and notifying the Vascular Surgeon of exams requiring immediate attention while the patient is undergoing examination. Specific diagnostic patterns must be recognized during the test for optimum result. The incumbent follows all established protocols and past practice when a difficult decision must be made. The incumbent must validate patient identification prior to any patient receiving treatment at WJB Dorn VA Medical Center. The incumbent prepares contrast material under the direction of the Vascular Surgeon for the purpose of performing procedures/exams requiring injectable solution. The incumbent must have the ability to start IV's, and understand the effects and adverse reactions of contrast. Improper use or administration of contrast materials run the risk of patient mortality, therefore, it is essential that the incumbent has a thorough understanding of usage. The incumbent must ensure that all documentation required for the completion of exams is done in VISTA/CPRS and verifies that patient information and requests are identical; He or she must validate all images and corrects erroneous information prior to sending to VISTA for interpretation. The incumbent helps to maintain effective control of the Vascular Department by coordinating, organizing, and executing work to expedite workflow patterns within the department. The incumbent must continuously work to develop a cohesive and effective team with other areas of the Surgery Department and with other areas of the entire facility to expedite quality patient care. The incumbent ensures that there are adequate quantities of supplies for Vascular Service to meet workload demands. Must ensure that procedure rooms are stocked with necessary supplies at all times, with special attention to emergent equipment and supplies must alerts supervisor when supplies are needed. The incumbent must recognize and report major equipment malfunctions within a timely manner, and ensure that all equipment is in proper working order prior to use. The incumbent keeps abreast of technological advances in the field of radiology and successfully completes all required educational classes and successfully receives all Continuing Education Units (CEU's) as governed by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT), to maintain an active status with the ARRT. The incumbent must complete all education in the Talent Management System (TMS) in a timely manner and maintains certification in Basic Life Support (BLS) or Automated External Defibrillator (AED). The incumbent must assist in training volunteers working within the department. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday | 7:00am -3:30pm weekends and holidays or at the needs of the service. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: FS 544-01850-A, 544-02167A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Maybe Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required 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. 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). 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: a. Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g.) b. 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.] c. 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 REQUIREMENTS: 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. Cardiovascular-Interventional Technology (CV). Cardiovascular-interventional technologists (CV) 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 with reference to contrast agents, vital signs, medications, and physiologic monitoring to perform procedures. CV technologists must be knowledgeable in CR 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: 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. Knowledge of pre-procedural, procedural, and post-procedural care of patients. References: References: VA Handbook 5005/119 Part II Appendix G25 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS09. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS09. Physical Requirements: The individual must have the physical ability to perform job-related duties which require heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over, standing up to 6 hours, wearing PPE (Lead Apron) up to 6 hours, bending, transferring. stooping, stretching, walking, pushing, or pulling without assistance from another patient care provider or significant other. A health examination must be successfully complete prior to this assignment and periodically thereafter as required by the Employee Health Clinic policy Education IMPORTANT: A transcript (with a conferred date) must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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: 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 Receiving Service Credit or 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. 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.