Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

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: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English
• 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)
• Grade Determinations: GS-09 Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (CT) Experience: At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-08) - directly related to the position being filled that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level
• Some examples of experience at the GS-08 grade level include: independently providing services in specialized areas of radiologic technology and/or general radiologic technology services with only occasional oversight or direction for highly complex issues
• Knowledge - Skills and Abilities: DRTs at the GS-09 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 by an asterisk (*): *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
• Preferred Experience: At least one year of CT and x-ray experience
• 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-08
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-09
• Physical Requirements: Work is performed in a health care setting
• Work may involve exposure to infection and possible contagious diseases
• Standard precautions and isolation techniques will be employed as indicated
• There are occasions where response to physical and/or verbal abuse by patients requires knowledge gained from ongoing violence in the workplace training
• Working conditions include: outside and inside work - exposure to radiant energy - constant noise (machinery/equipment) - working around hazardous machinery with moving parts - working closely with others.

Duties

• Total Rewards: Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional *This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until August 5 - 2026
• The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be May 12 - 2026
• Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until position is filled.* This Advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (DRT) - Computed Tomography (CT) - position is assigned to the Columbia VA Healthcare System - Radiology Service
• Computed Tomography section
• The Advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (DRT) - Computed Tomography Technologist - employee at this level is fully functional as an Advanced DRT and can carry out the assigned tasks independently
• Duties include but not limited to: Performs diagnostic procedures on a high-volume of patients
• Assists in the training of newly assigned technologists
• Helps to maintain effective control of the Radiology section by coordinating - organizing - and executing the work to expedite workflow patterns within the department
• Performs all radiology - CT - and DEXA procedures - including administrative duties associated with each
• Validates all images prior to transmitting them to VistA for interpretation
• Properly identify patients with standard VA identifiers - as well as ensure properly identify films associated with a patient's exam
• Properly label all images with Left or Right markers
• This is essential so that mistaken identity of images to patients does not occur
• The radiographer must be certain patient identification and request are identical
• Technologist must be familiar with policies and procedures for practicing radiation safety in order to reduce exposure to patients - staff and self
• This is achieved by optimizing technical factors and the appropriate use of lead aprons - collimation - and distance management ensuring all policies and procedure are adhered to
• Participates in annual radiation safety training
• Technologist meets the requirements set forth in Columbia VA HealthCare System POLICY/MEMORANDUM FOR BLS (RQI)
• BLS Certification is maintained per facility guidelines
• Technologist is responsible for and required to maintain credentials and licensure
• Annual ARRT certifications must be current and Continuing Education (CE) requirements must be met biennially
• Performs technologist-level Quality Assurance on equipment as necessary according to manufacturer's guidelines and service-line policy
• Applies Infection Control practices and procedures for patients and staff - as mandated by the Medical Center and Radiology Service Infection Control policies
• Properly operates all electrical and mechanical equipment - is cognizant of basic safety practices related to the use of the assigned equipment supplies
• hand washing practices
• and continuing education
• Maintains competency and thorough knowledge of the processes for Critical - Semi-Critical - and Non-Critical Reusable Medical Device (RMD) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that document the process and procedures for cleaning - disinfection - and preparation of RMs and follow established procedures for all RMD
• Responsible to adhering to the RMD policies and procedures within the Radiology Service
• Other duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: 8:00am-6:00pm - 4:00pm-12:00am with rotating weekends and holidays Relocation/Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Authorized - may be paid to a highly qualified candidate
• Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive
• Contact vhaedrpprogramsupport@va.gov - the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance
• Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 31243F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized