Summary

The Diagnostic Imaging Service is seeking a full-time Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist QM for the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center in Charleston South Carolina. The Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist QM is responsible for managing the Radiology Quality Assurance (QA) program and related functions.

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)
• 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)
• 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 GS-11 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 needed to provide services as a quality control technologist - DRT team leader - supervisory radiologic technologist - PACS technologist - clinical program director - or an assistant chief radiologic technologist
• Assignment Quality Management Technologist
• This position has full oversight responsibility of departmental Quality Management program and may also include oversight of a departmental Quality Improvement (QI) program
• That may include directing the work of lower graded staff
• The technologist performs daily inspections of radiographic units to ensure proper mechanical functionality and ensures daily functionality of CR readers
• The technologist provides in service training for technologists and other personnel involved in the operation and maintenance of CR readers - DR panels - and other PACS type of operations maintained within the department
• The technologist coordinates scheduling of preventative maintenance for modalities either through biomedical engineering or local contractor service
• The technologist works with physicists to ensure compliance with radiation safety program and for acceptance testing of all new installations of equipment
• The technologist maintains accurate records - as required by management - for quality assurance analysis - quality control - performance improvement - and other related purposes
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of all Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) - Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) - and VA standards regarding radiology quality assurance and other technical functions
• Ability to train staff on quality assurance and control
• Knowledge of inventory management systems
• Knowledge of x-ray and other image-producing machinery in order to design and operate a complete radiology quality assurance program
• Knowledge of physics and physical properties of CR and DR panels and image production to diagnose difficulties in x-ray machinery and post processing equipment
• 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-11
• Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting - 45 pounds and over - Reaching above shoulder - Use of fingers - Both hands required - Walking 6 hours - Standing 8 hours - Specific visual requirement: Ability to read typewritten characters with or w/o glasses - Specific hearing requirements: Ability to hear conversational voice with or w/o hearing aid - Emotional and Mental Stability.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (DRT) Quality Management (QM) is responsible for managing the Radiology Quality Assurance (QA) program and related functions within the Imaging Service which includes multiple modalities (General Radiology - DEXA - Fluoroscopy - Computed Tomography - Magnetic Resonance Imaging - Interventional Radiology - Ultrasound - Nuclear Medicine and Positron Emission Tomography) at various locations
• The incumbent works closely with technologists - radiologists - Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) Manager - Radiation Safety Officer (RSO) - other services and vendors to ensure successful operations
• Typical duties may include - but are not limited to: Demonstrates understanding of various modality workflows - patient throughput and equipment performance - and image acquisition/processing/transfer/storage
• Reviews and make recommendations for revisions to departmental policies and procedures
• Continually reviews new developments in the field and recommends to Chief Technologist/Service Chief those that would improve operations
• Maintains a high degree of accuracy and records for quality assurance analysis - quality control - performance improvement - and other related purposes
• Uses independent - professional and ethical judgement in all aspects of work
• Ability to prioritize - organize - and guide various tasks or projects
• Radiation/MR Safety: Works closely with Chief Technologist - section supervisors - RSO - MRSO - radiologists - physicists to evaluate protocols with regards to dose optimization - documentation and safety
• Works with RSO to obtain radiation dosimeters and monitoring for all applicable staff - coordinates physicist inspections and maintains records for all imaging equipment
• Maintains thorough QA logs to include code 30s and 40s - image deletion and technical errors
• Tracks issues/identifies trends and makes recommendations for improvement
• Works with individual technologists and modality supervisors to improve overall quality and compliance
• Conducts departmental tracers - documenting and reporting findings - as required
• Participates in Environment of Care (EOC) rounds within the section - addressing any discrepancies or recommendations in a timely manner
• Provides training and assistance to technologists - radiologists and residents in proper and efficient use of imaging hardware and software
• Runs and evaluates various reports (i.e
• daily incomplete log - critical results) for tracking and reconciliation
• Maintains facility lead apron inventory database and conducts required inspections
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 7:30am - 4:00pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): 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
• Functional Statement #: FS 60196 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized