PLEASE READ THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IN ITS ENTIRETY BEFORE BEGINNING THE APPLICATION PROCESS TO ENSURE YOU SUBMIT ALL THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS. This Job Opportunity Announcement will be used to fill a Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist, GS-0647-09 position in Radiology Service at the Cheyenne Veterans Affairs Health Care System. 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 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). NOTE: Assignment to the clinical program director requires meeting JRCERT minimum educational standards as noted in the assignment description. English Language Proficiency. DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and7407(d). Computed Tomography (CT). This specialty modality requires specific knowledge of cross-sectional human anatomy and its application in spiral, and/or, multi-slice computer tomography, inclusive of 3-D reconstruction scans, including drainages, biopsies, and peripheral vascular examinations. The technologist requires specific knowledge and training in the location, appearance, and function of the various major and minor systems susceptible to radiological illumination; to interpret the examination request accurately; to understand the functioning and inter[1]relationship of the various organs; to use the methods and techniques which will identify organs appearing on the digital display monitor, or on film, and the various stages of the examination to judge the acceptability of the image and/or scan for diagnostic use and to emphasize the aspects of interest to the physician. DRT assignments that include performance of independent duties in this subspecialty require advanced ARRT certification. 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, GS-9 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. Assignments. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the applicant at least 25% of the time. DRTs at this grade level may be appointed to one of the following assignments: Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist. 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 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/119, Part II, Appendix G25 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09. Physical Requirements: This position will require the employee to preform moderate lifting of objects 5-44 lbs, light carrying of objects no more that 5 lbs, straight pulling up to 1 hour, pulling hand over hand up to 1 hour, pushing up to 1 hour, reaching over shoulder, use of fingers, requires both hands, walking for periods up to 8 hours, standing for period up to hours, kneeling for periods up to 1 hour, repeated bending up to 4 hours, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, depth perception, ability to distinguish shades of colors, hearing (aid may be permitted), hearing without aid. ["This is an open continuous announcement and will remain open until filled. The first review will be in two weeks then bi-weekly thereafter. Employee operates as an advanced DRT technologist, specializing over 25% in Computerized Tomography (CT) and General Radiology. Independently performs standard general imaging and complex CT examinations including non-standard and advance protocols such as emergency and inpatients, befitting a Level II Complexity Medical Center. Evaluates the nature of critical and emergency procedures, and rearranges patients scheduled to accommodate them. Interaction with physicians, nurses, BioMedical Engineers, computer programmers, manufacturers technical design engineers, and other service personnel will be normal occurrence of the daily duties of the operator. The employee will be involved with difficult and intricate techniques (current or new), defining optimal protocols and devising alternate ways to visualize pathology within the patient. Advise radiologists or referring physician of significant abnormalities that would require their immediate attention and visualization while the patient is undergoing the respective CT examinations. Performs CT/General Radiography/Fluoroscopy examinations, for example, of the brain, face, larynx, nasopharynx, head, orbits, neck, paranasal sinus, parotid glands, tongue and orpharynx, TMJ, chest, abdomen (adrenal, kidney, liver, pancreas), pelvis (bladder, prostate, scrotum), and extremities (shoulder, elbow, wrist/hand, hip, knee, and foot/ankle) for the purpose of acquiring high quality examinations that assist in the diagnosis and treatment of patient medical disorders using standard and non-standard protocols. Duties include, but are not limited to the following: Perform emergent exams from the Emergency Department and anesthesia/high risk patient exams including inpatients. Coordinate with the Anesthesia clinic to ensure sensitive cases are properly performed. In addition to routine CT examinations, the technologist shall be able to perform specialized, complex CT procedures including, CTA neck or head, pulmonary embolism (PE), and aorta study for dissection. Assists the radiologist in the performance of biopsies and catheter placements for the purpose of diagnostic treatment, requiring the use of surgical sterile techniques, syringes, needles, contrast, etc. Program technical factors by interrogating or calibrating computer console and responding to differing body habitus and medical condition with appropriate inputs for optimum study acquisition. Assist in preparation of procedure manuals and in devising and/or modifying procedures as necessary in accordance with ACR standard or other directives. Monitors special equipment such as monitors, pulse oximeter, ECG, infusion pumps, oxygen equipment, and respirators. Sets up and prepares sterile surgical fields and helps prep patients such as arthrogram procedures and CT biopsies. Demonstrate the ability to perform quality post-procedure reformats and send them to PACS when necessary, making multiple simultaneous settings and adjustments in operation of equipment to include peripheral equipment and protocols such as 3D reconstruction to ensure accurate results. Prepares the CT for daily operation, brings system up, checks all self-calibrating parameters. Cleans and prepares equipment surfaces in accordance with established infection control guidelines. Performs routine archiving status; checks and deletes data according to establish guidelines. Assist manufacturer representative and biomedical engineers in the calibration and troubleshooting of malfunctions in all equipment associated with the or CT systems. Register during check-in and properly edit exams upon completion work for appropriate workload capture and credit. Assist physicians and other employees in the development and execution of protocols and maintaining the records as necessary to validate the research project of funding grant. Work Schedule: Variable shifts to include days, evenings, weekends & holidays.\nCompressed/Flexible: Not Available\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nPosition Title/Functional Statement #:Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist - Computed Tomography/PD000000\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]