Diagnostic Radiologic Technician (Intermittent)

<p>The DRT(R) technologist operates general radiography and fluoroscopy equipment to acquire diagnostic radiographs of patients and support fluoroscopic exams and procedures to enable the diagnosis and treatment of disease. The duties are performed in the Imaging Department, Emergency Department, OR, PACU and various other locations in the Medical Center.</p><h3>Major Duties</h3><p>Major Duties and Responsibilities to include but are not limited to: Receive patients, confirm patient identification, obtain patient history, provide patient education, provide reassurance, and ensure patient comfort. Perform fall risk assessment and mobilize appropriate assistive lifting and transfer devices as needed. Continually assess the condition and needs of patients to ensure patient safety, comfort, privacy, and dignity. Review exam requests for appropriateness before performing exams. Perform general radiography exams. Operate Direct Radiography (DR) equipment including portable and fixed radiography units. Optimize technical factors such as exposure, patient positioning, centering, collimation, grids, filters, protocol selection and other relevant factors to achieve high quality, diagnostic radiographs with the lowest radiation achievable dose, and the minimum number of retakes. Apply knowledge of radiographic exposure techniques, both manual and photo-timed, including the use of exposure tables. Modify exam protocols as needed to adapt to specific exam or patient requirements. Optimize images for radiologist interpretation: establish images in standard orientation and apply annotations before archiving. Archive exams and perform requisite quality control to ensure that completed exams are stored in entirety in the designated archives. Receive patients for fluoroscopic exams and procedures, provide education and reassurance, instruct, and assist in dressing for the study and confirm patient identification. Apply knowledge of barium preparations and iodinated contrast materials to include, the appropriate concentration and types for various applications, risk assessment, techniques for mixing, diluting, route of administration and recognition of adverse reactions. Apply knowledge of contrast reactions and appropriate levels of response. Apply knowledge of Bone Densitometry (BD) systems, including quality control, specific exposure requirements, system applications, image analysis and digital post-processing techniques to optimize image quality and annotate images. Apply knowledge of positioning techniques to ensure precision and accuracy of bone densitometry. Perform general maintenance operations on equipment such as warm-up and shutdown sequences, calibration, QC and basic troubleshooting. Maintain logs to document equipment performance history and malfunctions. Identify deviations from equipment specifications and initiate service or other corrective action. Evaluate exams for diagnostic quality before submitting them for interpretation. Recognize critical findings and alert the supervising radiologist to facilitate timely provider notification. Apply working knowledge of radiation physics to the operation of radiography and fluoroscopy equipment including, radiographic exposure techniques (both manual and photo-timed exposures), use of exposure tables, digital detectors, intensifying screens, collimators, filters, grids, and other technical aids to acquire radiographs of diagnostic quality with the minimum of retakes. Download images onto CD/DVD or other approved storage devices according to established protocols and policies. Upload outside images to PACS according to established protocols and policies. For sterile procedures, prepare a sterile procedure table with the requisite procedure tray, supplies and medications. Receive specimens, enter policy orders, and prepare for transport with appropriate labelling. Deliver specimens to lab as needed. Use medical center computer systems to perform clinical and administrative duties. Maintain appropriate inventory of supplies and materials. Apply stocking procedures to ensure organization and integrity of stock, and removal of outdated items. Provide rotational coverage for all established tours per departmental needs. Provides overtime coverage on an emergency basis as needed. Work Schedule: Possible coverage for days, nights, evenings, weekends, holidays, 10 hour shifts, 12 hour shifts and on call. Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.</p><h3>Requirements</h3>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. 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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). 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.<h3>Education</h3>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/.