Summary

Interventional/Vascular Radiologic Technologist that function in conceit with the Interventional Radiologists and Vascular Physicians with advances skills. knowledge and experience to facilitate the daily operations of the Interventional Imaging Department by interacting - coordinating - and collaborating with Radiologist - Vascular surgeons - other Physicians and members of teams at the Medical Center and referring instructions. Performs routines to moderately complex radiographic examination.

Qualifications

Interventional Radiography (IR). Technologists working in this special assignment may function as vascular interventional (VI) - cardiac interventional (CI) and/or cardiovascular-interventional (CV) technologists which use specialized equipment to perform diagnostic angiographic procedures and complex vascular and nonvascular interventional and therapeutic procedures. This specialty requires additional knowledge of vascular systems and major vessel anatomy. The technologist must be knowledgeable in the specialized equipment employed for digital subtraction systems and interventional procedures. The technologist administers contrast media under the supervision of the staff radiologist and confers with the radiologist to establish requirements regarding contrast agents - vital signs - medications - and physiologic monitoring to perform procedures. IR technologist must be knowledgeable in digital imagining and PACS. Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

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
• Certification
• All applicants must be certified in general radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology - Radiography (ARRT) (R)
• Advanced ARRT certification is required for assignments that include computed tomography (CT) - magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) - or Mammography (M) duties performed independently - as applicable
• Advanced certification indicates that the incumbent [can operate independently and has demonstrated specific clinical competency in the appropriate specialty and taken and passed the designated examination
• [In modalities that require advanced certification - to support their continued development - technologists who do not possess an advanced certification may be provided on the job training with oversight from a certified radiologic technologist
• 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)
• NOTE: Assignment to the clinical program director requires meeting JRCERT minimum educational standards as noted in the assignment description
• Physical Requirements
• The physical demands of the work include: Heavy lifting - 45 pounds and over
• moderate carrying - 15-44 pounds
• pushing up to 4 hours
• reaching above shoulder
• use of fingers - good dexterity (both hands required)
• prolonged walking - prolonged standing
• repeated bending
• ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20
• ability to distinguish basic colors
• hearing (aid permitted)
• speed in working
• and emotional stability
• Must have the ability to stand and work while wearing a lead apron for possibly long periods of time
• Work is performed in a health care setting
• Work may involve exposure to infection and possible contagious diseases
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 for additional details
• English Language Proficiency
• DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and7407(d)
• 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)
• Grade Determinations: Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist - GS-9 (1) 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
• (2) Assignments
• For all assignments above the full performance level - the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope - complexity (difficulty) - and range of variety - and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time
• DRTs at this grade level will be appointed to the following assignment: Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist: Employees at this level are fully functional as an advanced DRT and carry out their assigned tasks independently
• DRTs at this level may have varying assignments including special and complex imaging procedures beyond the full performance level - clinical instruction - and basic QM type duties within the program
• Regardless of the nature of the specific assignment - the work must be of sufficient scope and complexity to meet the knowledge - skills - and abilities to perform at this level
• The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment-specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): a
• Ability to balance the needs of patients and staff while still performing complex scans and procedures
• b
• Knowledge of techniques for gathering relevant information from the medical record - significant others - and health care providers
• c
• Ability to assess factors that may contraindicate the procedure
• d
• Knowledge of basic first aid and basic life support practices related to radiography
• e
• Knowledge of physical assessment - aseptic techniques - intravenous methods and techniques and universal precautions
• f
• Knowledge of pre-procedural - procedural - and post-procedural care of patients
• Preferred experience: Using computerized health record Knowledge and ability to operate fluoroscopy units and portable C-arm units
• General knowledge of Interventional Radiology supply inventory
• The vacancy is above the full performance GS-9 Reference: VA Handbook 5005/119 Part II - Appendix G25

Duties

• Major duties: Performs the technical functions related to multi-modality imaging procedures such as: Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA) - Ultrasound - Computed Clinical Information Technology (CPRS) and integrating this information with computerized digital imaging technology
• Assists and instructs on complex procedures such as Angiography - Abdominal Aorta - Aortic Arch - Cerebral Angiography - Pulmonary and all other Angiograms - Venograms - Percutaneous Nephrostomies - Trans-hepatic Cholangiograms - Trans jugular Intrahepatic Porto Systemic Shunts (TIPS) - Atherectomies - Thrombectomies - R.F
• Ablations - Inferior Vena Cava and Arterial Prosthetic Stent - Hemo Dialysis Catheter Placement - Treatments and other Interventional Procedures
• Assist Interventional Radiologists and Vascular Surgeons as a scrub tech which includes but is not limited to assisting the OR team and Vascular Surgeons with complex Endovascular and open procedures i.e
• AAA - EVA.R's - Cut - downs etc
• Works in conceit with physicians and nurses to verify that the informed consent is accurate and signed - and all other procedural orders - notes and forms required for invasive procedures are appropriate before invasive procedures are performed
• Prepares patient both physically and emotionally prior to examination - explaining procedures to patients and/or patients' family members which increase the patient's comfort and cooperation Provides for patients safety - comfort - and modesty
• Uses at least two ways to identify patient's identification
• Participate in the time-outs
• Labels all syringes - cups - and basins - one at a time - medications must be labeled with the drug name - strength - and concentration - All items used within a sterile field should be sterile
• Before dispensing a sterile item to the sterile field - the un-scrubbed person should check the package integrity - chemical process indicator - and - if present - expiration date and confirm the product and the expiration date are acceptable and confirm the product with the person receiving the sterile product
• Plans and performs all technical aspects of computerized integrated components for all vascular/special procedures cases requiring the use of contrast media
• Prepares appropriate contrast medium and heparinization of solutions for arterial and venous procedures
• Assist team members with patient care activities i.e
• positioning - prepping - transfer and transportation of patients as needed
• Documents required information in reference to radiation dose summary and the amount of contrast given
• Responsible for preparation of room - standard equipment - and operation of all ancillary equipment such as Ultrasound machines - Angiojet - Embolectomy devices - RFA and injectors for procedures
• Assists in the evaluation process of new products and supplies and provides input in concert with the Interventional Radiologists for feasibility of application
• Operates the computer when performing DSA studies which require frequent moves between databases and/or alters existing databases - then transfers selected images to the PACS and verifies the arrival of the complete and accurate images
• Incumbent is required on a regular basis - to on-call standby duty for emergent procedures
• Enters all implantable devices used in IR/Vascular procedures into UDI Tracking Inventory system within 24 hours of implementation
• Assists in maintaining adequate stock of sterile catheters - wires and supplies in the procedure suites - and alerts supervisor of inventory shortages which logistics will reorder
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:00 am - 3:30 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 30235F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized