Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist - Computed Tomography

About the role

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.

What you will do

• 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.
• 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 ***, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance.
• Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.

Requirements

• 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 (***).
• 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.

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: ***

How you will be evaluated

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC.

WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

Documents you must provide

• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position.
• Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc. Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (VA) License Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) Other (1) Professional Certification Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript

What to expect next

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met.

After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center. NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service.

HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities.

HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities.

HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience.

This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions.

Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.