Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (MRI)

Basic Requirements : English Language Proficiency. DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.

S.C. 7402(d), and7407(d). Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g.

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).

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. Preferred additional certification : CPR - must have current American Heart Basic CPR Certification Grade Determinations : In addition to the basic requirements above the following is the amount of experience required to qualify for a Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (MRI) at the GS-9 grade level.

GS-09 Specialized Experience : Must possess progressive experience equivalent to the next lower grade in Federal service (GS-08) which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics related to the duties of this position.

• Specialized experience is defined as having specific knowledge of superconducting magnets, the physics of superconducting magnets, and how they relate to the human anatomy in medical imagining;
• education and knowledge in the safety factors governing a magnetic environment that patients, visitors, and equipment enter;
• specialized knowledge of cross sectional anatomy and how it relates to the soft tissues and vessels of the human body; specialized knowledge in the radio-frequency surface coils required for each specific anatomical area to be imaged;

knowledge in contrast media, power injectors, and PACS. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment-specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*) : 1.

Ability to balance the needs of the patients and staff while still performing complex scans and procedures. 2.Skill to demonstrate appropriate techniques to gather relevant information from the medical record, significant others, and health care providers.

3.*Ability to assess factors that may contraindicate the procedure. 4.Knowledge of basic first aid and basic life support practices related to radiography.

5.Knowledge of physical assessment, aseptic techniques, intravenous methods and techniques and universal precautions. 6.

Knowledge of re-procedural, procedural, and post-procedural care of patients. References : VA Handbook 5005 / 119, Part II, Appendix G25, dated 12 / 13 / 2019, Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist Qualification Standards.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9. Physical Requirements : See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.