Summary

The Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (Interventional Radiography) at the Pittsburgh VA Medical Center will be a part of a radiographic team providing care to Veterans. The incumbent will perform procedures in Interventional Radiology such as digital radiography - cerebral angiography - peripheral angiography - visceral angiography - interventional and therapeutic procedures.

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)
• 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
• NOTE: For grade levels above the entry level - the candidate must be certified
• 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)
• 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: Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (Interventional Radiography) GS-09 This specialized area of radiologic technology 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 imaging and PACS
• Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements - you must have at least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level - GS-08
• 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 all of the following technical KSAs and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment-specific KSAs designated below
• Ability to balance the needs of patients and staff while still performing complex scans and procedures
• Knowledge of techniques for gathering 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
• 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/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-09
• Physical Requirements: Position requires Lifting (Assist Patients from lying position to sitting (and vice versa) with varying degrees of assistance - working with 200+ lbs.)/Carrying (45lbs and over)
• Sitting - standing - walking - kneeling - bending - twisting - pulling - pushing - and simple grasping
• Fine Manipulation (Keyboard and Computer Components)
• Reaching above shoulder - operating machinery (US Equipment)/Chemicals (Hospital-Based Solvents) 2-6 hours each requirement per day.

Duties

• VA Careers - Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist: https://youtube.com/embed/I-4ku5UMvWM The Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (Interventional Radiography) - performs Interventional Radiology procedures
• Ensuring to accurately confirm patient information prior to procedures
• The incumbent is aware of and practice the safety policies/procedures of the Medical Center - and participate in quality assurance activities as directed
• Performs neuroangiography procedures - including spine - head and neck studies utilizing highly sophisticated x-ray equipment such as computerized fluoroscopy - pressure injectors - patient monitors - etc
• Performs peripheral and visceral angiography of the abdominal systems and extremities i.e
• renal - hepatic - mesenteric - aortic - femoral - endovascular - etc
• The exams involve the use of highly sophisticated x-ray equipment such as computerized fluoroscopy - pressure injectors - patient monitors - etc
• Performs technical and general operation and maintenance of the computer - disk drives - console - imaging devices - etc
• Assists manufacture and biomedical engineers in the calibration and trouble shooting of any malfunctions in all equipment associated with the IR Imaging Devices
• Accepts patients into IR suite - conducts patient interview for demographic accuracy to confirm - Time-Out - accurate patient identification - time out procedures - appropriate examination protocol - known allergies - pertinent medications - laboratory data - and patient education prior to procedure - ensuring patient's comfort and relaxation
• Positions the patient within the IR Suite - monitors patient during all phases of appropriate examination(s) and removes patient from the respected system(s) upon completion of imaging acquisition(s)
• Ensures that adequate quantities of Interventional/\"specials\" supplies are available to meet workload demands through a systemized process of ordering - receipt and inventory
• Assures that angiography procedure rooms are stocked with necessary supplies at all times with special attention to emergent equipment and supplies
• Interprets and directs the most difficult requests to the Radiologist
• Assist radiologist as a member of the radiographic team
• Monitor patient's condition - sterile field - catheter - guide wire sizes and configurations and prevent contamination
• Trains new technologists - residents and fellows in digital angiography - venograms - myelograms - and percutaneous nephrostomy - and other special procedures
• Performs image reconstructions on advanced workstations as directed by the radiologist or as part of a given study
• Maintains records and files of exams performed on patients
• This includes - registration and editing of patient exams in the computerized information system - copying of images (to PACS - CD or film) - logging patients on the HIS-RIS work list
• Schedules exams in a manner so as to optimize IR times while maintaining flexibility for emergency cases
• Cancel exams that are not utilized and indicate reason for cancellation
• Ensures all images are sent to PACS/ Vista Imaging without case editing errors at the end of each procedure - adhering to Department policy
• Communicating any found errors with Supervisor and or department IT personnel
• Administers contrast media and medications under the direction and supervision of the radiologist
• Confers with the radiologist to establish requirements with reference to contrast agents - vital signs - medications - and physiological monitoring to perform the procedure(s)
• Assist and scrub with the radiologist during the procedure on an as needed basis
• Assist patient within the IR Suite - monitors patient during all phases of appropriate examination(s) and removes patient from the respected system(s) upon completion of imaging acquisition(s)
• Conducts patient interview for demographic accuracy to confirm - Time-Out - accurate patient identification - time out procedures - appropriate examination protocol - known allergies - pertinent medications - laboratory data - and patient education prior to procedure - ensuring patient's comfort and relaxation
• Assist with starting IVs for procedures
• Performs other duties common to the Radiology Service as assigned by the Chief Technologist or Supervisory Technologist
• Work Schedule: Monday to Friday - 7am-3:30pm - 7:30-4pm - 8am-4:30pm - 7am-5:30pm - with on-call and holiday rotations
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized