Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist - Computed Tomography

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

Independently performs routine & complex CT examinations of the head, neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis, spine, extremities, & vascular system, applying working knowledge of human anatomy, physiology, pathology, & medical terminology. Performs complex CT examinations, as assigned and credentialed. Performs general diagnostic radiologic duties, including general radiography, portable, & fluoroscopicprocedures (e.g., Anesthesia Pain Clinic, operating room and fixed fluoroscopy), within training, credentialing, & scope of practice, when operationally necessary Selects, modifies, & applies appropriate protocols based on clinical indication, patient history, laboratory results, prior imaging, body habitus, ability to cooperate, implanted devices, trauma status, & other patient-specific factors. Identifies, evaluates, & resolves technical & clinical problems by selecting appropriate solutions from established options. Uses advanced CT software & post-processing applications to produce clinically useful images & reconstructions. Reviews the EMR, imaging request, relevant clinical history, prior examinations, laboratory values, allergies, medication profile, & provider notes to obtain information necessary to safely perform the examination. Orders exams in the EMR and reviews screening & contrast-assessment forms for accuracy. Interviews patients, families, caregivers, & members of the interdisciplinary healthcare team to verify patient identity, explain the procedure, obtain relevant history, assess the patient's ability to cooperate, & identify factors that may affect the examination. Provides clear, respectful, trauma-informed communication tailored to the needs of Veterans with sensory impairment, cognitive impairment, anxiety, pain, limited mobility, language barriers. Assesses patients before, during, & after procedures for clinical changes and potential complications. Champions Safe Patient Handling & Mobility initiatives. Establishes & maintains intravenous access when within scope of practice & local policy. Prepares, administers, & documents the use of contrast materials by intravascular, oral, rectal, & other routes. Uses power injectors safely & monitors injection sites & patients for adverse effects. Applies radiation-protection & dose-optimization principles, including ALARA practices, scan-range limitation, patient centering, exposure-parameter selection, dose-modulation tools, & shielding, tailoring protocol selection to clinical need; actively participates in dose-reduction & optimization processes. Monitors CT dose information, identifies circumstances that may result in unnecessary or unusually high radiation exposure, takes corrective action within assigned authority, & communicates concerns. Performs or documents required daily equipment checks, quality-control procedures, and operational assessments; identifies image-quality concerns, equipment malfunctions, software issues, & safety hazards; initiates troubleshooting within competency; & reports significant issues promptly through appropriate channels. Applies infection-control practices mandated by Medical Center & Radiology Service policy for all procedures. Coordinates care with clinics and departments. Balances the needs of patients, staff, & the service while performing complex CT scans & procedures. Applies well-developed time-management & organizational skills to prioritize assignments & work within standardized operating procedures to meet deadlines. Maintains accurate patient, procedure, contrast, dose, image, and examination-status information in VA electronic systems, including VistA/CPRS, VistA Imaging, PACS, RIS, and other assigned applications, verifying that images and associated data are correctly labeled, routed, transmitted, reconciled, and available for interpretation. Maintains accurate documentation required for quality assurance, quality control, performance improvement, patient safety, contrast administration, radiation-dose monitoring, equipment issues, and adverse-event reporting. Accurately process and review patient studies within complex electronic medical networks, including the VistA, Vista Imaging, RIS, Joint Legacy Viewer ((JLV), iPlan and PACS systems. Provides technical guidance, orientation, and informal training to students, new employees, lower-graded DRTs, nursing personnel, and other clinical staff regarding CT workflow, patient preparation, safety practices, equipment operation, imaging protocols, and post-processing, as assigned. Work Schedule: Varying shifts days, nights, weekends, holidays, and call rotation. Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:56795A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Maybe Authorized. EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact vhaedrpprogramsupport@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.