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)
• 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)
• Creditable Experience Knowledge of Current Radiologic Technology Practice
• To be creditable, experience must have demonstrated possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics (also referred to as clinical competencies) associated with current radiologic technology practice
• This may have been evidenced by the equivalent of one year of active practice, which is paid or nonpaid employment as a DRT as defined by ARRT
• Quality of Experience
• Experience is only creditable if it was earned after completion of the basic certification requirements identified in paragraph 2b above
• Experience as a graduate DRT is creditable provided the candidate functioned as a DRT and subsequently passed the certification examination
• Quality Management Technologist
• This position has full oversight responsibility of departmental Quality Management program and may also include oversight of a departmental Quality Improvement (QI) program
• That may include directing the work of lower graded staff
• The technologist performs daily inspections of radiographic units to ensure proper mechanical functionality and ensures daily functionality of CR readers
• The technologist provides in-service training for technologists and other personnel involved in the operation and maintenance of CR readers, DR panels, and other PACS type of operations maintained within the department
• The technologist coordinates scheduling of preventative maintenance for modalities either through biomedical engineering or local contractor service
• The technologist works with physicists to ensure compliance with radiation safety program and for acceptance testing of all new installations of equipment
• The technologist maintains accurate records, as required by management, for quality assurance analysis, quality control, performance improvement, and other related purposes
• Grade Determinations: At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level of GS-10 directly related to the position being filled that demonstrates the clinical competencies needed to provide services as a quality control technologist
• The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs: 1
• Knowledge of all Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and VA standards regarding radiology quality assurance and other technical functions
• 2
• Ability to train staff on quality assurance and control
• 3
• Knowledge of inventory management systems
• 4.Knowledge of x-ray and other image-producing machinery in order to design and operate a complete radiology quality assurance program
• 5
• Knowledge of physics and [physical properties of CR and DR panels and image production to diagnose difficulties in x-ray machinery and post processing equipment
• 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-11
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-11
• Physical Requirements: : The work requires extensive walking, primarily between workstations and divisions within the Radiology Department and remote service locations
• There may be extended periods of time using and sitting in front of computers
• There may be periods when bending and kneeling may be required and/or extended periods of time while working in a cold computer room
• Heavy lifting (45 lbs
• and over) with or without assistance and the aid of mechanical lift equipment
• moderate )lifting (15 -44 lbs.)
• light lifting (under 15 lbs.)
• moderate carrying (] 5 - 44 lbs.), light carrying (under 15 lbs.)
• straight pu11ing
• pulling hand over hand
• pushing
• reaching above shoulders
• use of fingers
• walking
• standing
• kneeling
• repeated bending
• ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• specific visual requirement
• ability to visualize X-rays clearly
• ability to distinguish basic colors
• ability to distinguish shades of coolers
• hearing (aid permitted)
• Duties may require lifting and carrying computer equipment (approximately 45 lbs.) such as monitors, Computer Processing Units (CPUs), and Utility Power System (UPS) products
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.