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) and hold an advanced ARRT certification in MR
• Education
• Completion of a full-time training course of at least 24 months in duration (or the 2 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)
• Please provide transcripts
• 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)
• All persons employed in VHA as a DRT on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and certification that are part of the basic requirements of the DRT occupation
• For employees who do not meet all of the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: (1) DRTs that require a certification, may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journeyman) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions
• (2) DRTs that require a certification only at higher grade levels must meet the certification requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels
• (3) DRTs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard
• (4) DRTs initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or certification that meet all of the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation
• (5) Employees who are retained as a DRT under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry as a DRT
• Grade Determinations
• Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist GS-10 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
• Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (Magnetic Resonance Safety Officer (MRSO) Employees who are qualified to work in the MRI modality (advanced certification) have expert specialization at this grade level
• The MRSO operates with full responsibility for training, developing, and directing the MR safety program
• Duties may include coordination of MR safety committee meetings, evaluation of hospital equipment to ensure MR safe operation, and oversight of employee and patient MR screening programs
• Coordinates training of hospital staff and ensures maintenance of educational documentation
• MRSO certification is highly desirable for this level of complexity
• The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of safety requirements for physical space pertaining to MR imaging area
• Ability to establish and monitor access and safety requirements for the physical zones
• Ability to develop and ensure that adequate written safety procedures, work instructions, emergency procedures, and operating instructions are issued and enforced
• Knowledge of hazards posed by magnetic fields on implants, medical devices, hospital equipment and retained foreign bodies, and the development of measures taken against those hazards
• Ability to train medical, technical, nursing and all other relevant staff groups (including ancillary workers) in all procedural aspects related to MR safety
• Reference: FORMER VA HANDBOOK REFERENCE: PART II APPENDIX G25
• For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-10
• Physical Requirements: Heavy carrying/lifting 45 pounds and over, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, walking 3 hours, standing 5 hours, specific visual requirement, repeated bending (1 hour), straight pulling (1 hour), pushing (1-2 hours), specific hearing requirements, ability to hear conversational voice with or w/o hearing aid, and ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously