Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist

The duties are performed in the Imaging Department, Emergency Department, OR, PACU and various other locations in the Medical Center. 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. Exam requests are screened for appropriateness and reviewed with a radiologist as needed.

Functions or Scope of Assigned Duties: 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. Apply strategies to reduce risk of falls - remove obstacles and tripping hazards. Continually assess the condition and needs of patients to ensure patient safety, comfort, privacy, and dignity. Coordinate care to provide service timely to the clinical need. Review exam requests for appropriateness before performing exams. Use appropriateness criteria, the clinical history provided on the request, patient interview, chart review or contact with the ordering clinician to clarify as needed. Screen for duplicate requests, repeat of a recent exam (either in house or at an outside facility), or redundant evaluation completed by another imaging modality (e.g., CT). Discontinue duplicate orders. Present unresolvable discrepancies or deficient indications to the Lead DRT(R), Supervisor DRT(R) or a radiologist. Apply radiation safety practices, including the concepts of time, distance and shielding, and the ALARA principle of keeping radiation exposure to As Low as Reasonably Achievable. Apply knowledge of radiographic technique (Kvp, mas, collimation, positioning) in fluoroscopy and radiography to ensure appropriate dosage control balanced with diagnostic image quality, incorporating knowledge of accumulated dosage and genetic effects related to patient age and sex, risks of tissue and organ injury, risks to reproductive organs and risks to fetus. Screen for pregnancy in female patients with potential of being pregnant; implement lab test for pregnancy when indicated by policy. Screen imaging history and pending orders to prevent redundant exams and unnecessary radiation. Demonstrate knowledge in the use of iodinated contrast materials, the appropriate concentration and types for various applications and the route of administration for various contrast imaging studies. Store and administer iodinated contrast media adhering to standards of medication management. Understand the risks, side effects and contraindications of contrast use, and the appropriate clinical applications, dosages, routes, and rates of administration. Demonstrate knowledge of contrast reactions, how to recognize them and levels of response. Document contrast administration, dose, route, and other related aspects of care in CPRS. Document adverse events in CPRS using approved reporting tools. Apply knowledge of anatomy, organ systems and pathology applicable to radiography to ensure proper positioning and exposure, and to guide modification of techniques, as needed, to optimally demonstrate normal anatomy and disease. Evaluate exams for diagnostic quality before submitting them for interpretation. Recognize critical findings and alert the supervising radiologist to facilitate timely provider notification 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) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. 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) Work Schedule: 8:00am - 4:30pm w/call, holidays, weekends, evenings and nights Telework: This is not a virtual position. Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

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 evaluation/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.