Summary

This Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (General Radiologic Technology) position is in the Diagnostic Imaging Service - General Radiology section at the White River Junction VA Medical Center - VT.

Qualifications

COVERAGE. The following are the requirements for appointment as a Diagnostic Radiologic Technician or Technologist (DRT) in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). These requirements apply to all VHA DRTs in the GS-0647 series.

Basic Requirements:

• a
• Citizenship
• Be a citizen of the United States b
• Certification
• All applicants must be certified in general radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology - Radiography (ARRT) (R)
• c
• 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)
• d
• English Language Proficiency
• DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d)
• e
• Specialized Assignments
• (1) General Radiologic Technology (R)
• DRTs perform procedures and examinations in hospitals or clinics under the direction of radiologists and other medical officers
• The objective of the examinations and procedures is to produce radiographic studies that are used in medical diagnosis and interpreted by medical officers to locate injuries - foreign bodies - pathological conditions - or lesions within the body
• They prepare and administer contrast media and medications in accordance with State and Federal regulations
• All DRTs must be knowledgeable in computerized and digital radiography (CR/DR) - and picture archiving and communications systems (PACS)
• GRADE DETERMINATIONS
• In addition to the basic requirements for appointment - the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates: a
• Diagnostic Radiologic Technician - GS-5 (1) Experience or Education
• None beyond the basic requirements
• (2) Assignment
• DRTs at this level operate and monitor commonly used equipment performing routine procedures under general supervision
• The technician functions somewhat independently in carrying out these standardized procedures of limited complexity
• Deviations from regular procedures - unanticipated problems - and unfamiliar situations are referred to the supervisor for a decision or help
• Some assignments at this level also include developmental duties involving more complex procedures designed to prepare the technician for promotion to higher grades in a functional area
• Such duties are performed under closer supervision
• b
• Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist - GS-6 (1) Experience or Education
• At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level or the successful completion of one full academic year of graduate education leading to a degree in radiography or other directly related field to diagnostic radiology/imaging
• (2) Assignment
• Employees at this grade level serve as developmental DRTs - performing examinations which are routine and standardized in nature
• They explain exams to patients in terms they can understand as well as potential hazards
• They must also troubleshoot equipment used for diagnostic radiology and exercise extreme caution in the handling and safeguarding of all radiation producing equipment
• DRTs must report major equipment malfunctions within a timely manner to service representatives and assist higher graded technologists in performing more complicated examinations
• (3) Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of basic technique standards for minimum radiographic exposure
• (b) Knowledge of anatomy and positioning
• (c) Knowledge of all patient safety procedures
• (d) Knowledge of radiographic producing equipment
• (e) Ability to learn basic computer functions
• c
• Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist - GS-7 (1) Experience or Education
• At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level
• or the successful completion of one full academic year of graduate education leading to a degree in radiography or other directly related field to diagnostic radiology/imaging
• or successful completion of an advanced registry program - with certification - in addition to a 4-year baccalaureate degree program in radiography or other directly related field to diagnostic radiology/imaging
• Education may relate to the duties of a specific position or to the occupation but must be appropriate for the position being filled
• (2) Assignment
• DRTs at this level perform a full range of duties but receive guidance and directions regarding unfamiliar or unusual situations for more complex patient issues
• Candidates at this grade level may be qualified to provide services in specialized areas of radiologic technology and/or general radiologic technology services
• (3) Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of the technical adequacy of the digital image - including the ability to adjust the image quality in the digital system
• (b) Knowledge of different contrast material required for the requested study
• (c) Knowledge of radiation protection standards - minimum radiographic exposure techniques - appropriate beam limitation to anatomical area - and employing lead shielding when performing standard radiographic and fluoroscopic procedures
• (d) Knowledge of computed radiography - CR readers and Digital Imaging systems
• (e) Knowledge of PACS and basic computer skills
• d
• Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist - GS-8 (1) Experience
• At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level
• (2) Assignments
• Employees at this grade level serve as staff DRTs at the full performance level
• Candidates at this grade level must be qualified to independently provide services in specialized areas of radiologic technology and/or general radiologic technology services with only occasional oversight or direction for highly complex issues
• (3) Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Ability to check system for operation and assess acceptable performance based on established guidelines
• (b) Knowledge of calibration parameters and the ability to make adjustments as needed
• (c) Knowledge of patient's clinical record - diagnosis - and laboratory results
• (d) Ability to monitor patient's physiologic changes during the procedure and keep the radiologist informed
• (e) Skill in using tact - diplomacy - and courtesy in dealings with the customer base - patients - staff - family - visitors - and volunteers
• (f) Knowledge of anatomy and physiology - and cross-sectional anatomy - recognizing unusual images - and determining proper positioning to best demonstrate areas ofinterest
• Preferred Experience: C-Arm - Fluoroscopy - X-rays Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Former VA Handbook Reference: PART II APPENDIX G25 Effective Date: December 13 - 2019 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-05 to GS-08.

Duties

• VA Careers - Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist: https://youtube.com/embed/I-4ku5UMvWM Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional This Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (DRT) position is assigned to the White River Junction VA Medical Center - Imaging Service
• General Radiology section within the VA Medical Center
• This is a general medical and surgical facility - classified as a Level 2 facility
• It is a teaching hospital - providing a full range of patient care services - with state-of-the-art technology as well as education and limited research
• The Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (DRT) employee is fully functional as a DRT and is able to carry out the assigned tasks independently
• The team member will have a varying assignment including special and complex radiographic examinations and procedures within the General Radiology section - with and without the use of contrast materials
• The objective of these exams and procedures is to produce radiographic studies which are used in medical diagnosis and interpreted by Radiologists to locate injuries - foreign bodies - pathological conditions or lesions within the body so that proper diagnosis and treatment may be obtained
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00 a.m
• - 4:30 p.m
• EST Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized 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)
• 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
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Functional Statement #: 405-F08186_DRT_GS-0647-05 (entry level) 405-F08187_DRT_GS-0647-06 (developmental) 405-F08188_DRT_GS-0647-07 (developmental) 405-F1568_DRT_GS-0647-08 (full performance level) Note: This position is a AFGE Bargaining Unit position
• This position is covered by a special rate
• Narrative responses to the knowledge - skills and abilities (KSAs) may be required from the selectee in order to proceed with the appointment
• Due to a critical staffing shortage - 38 U.S.C. § 7412 waives the requirement to apply Veterans' preference for this job announcement
• This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until 09/30/2026
• The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be 04/10/2026 - with subsequent cut-off dates bi-weekly
• Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled.