Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (MRI)

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. Responsibilities VA Careers - Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist : Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional This position is an operator of a super conductive magnetic resonance unit within the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, and serves the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System as a multi-disciplined technologist, coordinating and performing all MRI examinations and procedures. Major duties include, but not limited to the following : Receives requests from physicians, schedules patients for examinations and treatments. Adjusts patient examination priorities as needed to accommodate urgent, emergency, and maximum caseload in MRI. Accommodates and adjusts to the examination priorities as established by the concerned supervisor for all other radiologic cases. Perform diagnostic radiological procedures including MR, MR angiography (MRA / MRV), myelograms, arthrograms, digital reconstruction of MR images, venography, operating room radiography, portable, interventional procedures, bone, chest, spine, extremities, abdominal, and fluoroscopic studies. Properly position patient within the examining unit, monitor patient during all phases of the examination, and remove patient from the influence of the magnetic field upon completion of the data acquisition. Prepares all ancillary equipment needed for studies such as physiologic monitors, injectors, needles, and IV catheters. Prepares for administration of contrast media, placement and insertion of intravenous lines for delivery of contrast. Safely operates contrast injector. Monitors patient's condition by observation, and reporting any unusual conditions to physician, nurse, chief technologist, or designee of chief technologist. Be able to recognize signs of contrast reaction. In emergent situations, must call emergency numbers, and start CPR procedures. Perform or monitor safety checks on all patients, employees and visitors to comply with the FDA standards regarding ferrous objects, cardiac pacemakers, and any other contraindicating factor prior to those persons entering the environment of the five (5) gauss magnetic field. Monitor the examination by checking computations, performances and results of the selected parameters to obtain the best diagnostic computer generated data and images. Repeat sequence when motion is detected. Coordinate with radiologist to determine the most ideal parameters to pulse the magnet for each individualized patient examination. Coordinate daily schedule and consult with other hospital physicians, clinical and administrative personnel pertaining to next day and future day's availability for patient examinations. Assist physicians and other employees in the development and execution of research protocols and maintaining the records as necessary to validate the research or training project or funding grant. Maintains all certifications through ARRT and adheres to ARRT Continuing Education Requirements for Renewal of Registration, ARRT Standards of Ethics, and ARRT Rules and Regulations. Assist and develop training programs for new MRI technologists, physicians in training, and general clinical employees. Will perform all other radiographic duties as assigned by the supervisor in order to maintain service efficiency, including necessary ancillary testing. Work Schedule : Monday-Friday, Daylight, Noon-8 : 30pm, on call and holiday on call. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus) : Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance) : Not Authorized EDRP Authorized : Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact britni.briscoe@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions / assistance. Learn more Pay : Competitive salary and regular salary increases. 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) Telework : Not Available Virtual : This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement # : 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS) : Not Authorized 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. 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 (). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification 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. Qualifications 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 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). 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. 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). 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 (MRI), GS-09 Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MR) : This specialty modality requires additional knowledge of superconducting magnets, the physics of superconducting magnets, and how they relate to the human anatomy in medical imaging. The technologist must be educated in the safety factors governing a magnetic environment that patients, visitors, and equipment enter. The practitioner must have specialized knowledge of cross sectional anatomy and how it relates to the soft tissues and vessels of the human body. The technologist must also have specialized knowledge in the radio-frequency surface coils required for each specific anatomical area to be imaged. This assignment may also perform basic magnetic resonance safety program duties. Technologists must be knowledgeable in contrast media, power injectors, and PACS. DRT assignments that include performance of independent duties in this subspecialty require advanced ARRT (MR Certification). 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. 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 also 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 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 : See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. 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 : 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 : 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. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. 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. 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. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration / Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA / OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.