Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (MR) The MRI Tech operates independently without direct supervision as the technologist responsible for coordination of all MRI procedures and examinations as well as reconstructions when necessary. MRI examinations are performed with and without the use of contrast materials. The MRI Tech is responsible for the safety of patients, employees, and guests entering the Magnetic environment.
All requirements must be met by the close date of this announcement, 08/29/2025. 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. Credentialing Standards. Public Law 97-35, the Consumer-Patient Radiation Health and Safety Act of 1981, requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75, Standards for the Accreditation of Educational Programs and the Credentialing of Radiographic Personnel. Essentially, they must have successfully completed an educational program that meets or exceeds the standards described in that regulation and is accredited by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and be certified as radiographers in their field. 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). 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 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). English Language Proficiency: DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). Grade Determinations: GS-9 Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist Experience: At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-8, directly related to the position being filled that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level. These include: Ability to check system for operation and assess acceptable performance based on established guidelines. Knowledge of calibration parameters and the ability to make adjustments as needed. Knowledge of patient's clinical record, diagnosis, and laboratory results. Ability to monitor patient's physiologic changes during the procedure and keep the radiologist informed. Skill in using tact, diplomacy, and courtesy in dealings with the customer base, patients, staff, family, visitors, and volunteers. Knowledge of anatomy and physiology, and cross-sectional anatomy, recognizing unusual images, and determining proper positioning to best demonstrate areas of interest. AND Certification: ARRT (R) (MR) AND Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment-specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): i. *Ability to balance the needs of patients and staff while still performing complex scans and procedures. ii. Knowledge of techniques for gathering relevant information from the medical record, significant others, and health care providers. iii. *Ability to assess factors that may contraindicate the procedure. iv. Knowledge of basic first aid and basic life support practices related to radiography. v. Knowledge of physical assessment, aseptic techniques, intravenous methods and techniques and universal precautions. vi. Knowledge of pre-procedural, procedural, and post-procedural care of patients. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9. Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.
VA Careers - Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist: https://youtube.com/embed/I-4ku5UMvWM Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties include, but are not limited to: a. The Technologist will be responsible to safeguard the MRI Scanning environment so as to maintain a safe condition at all times. No patient will be left unattended in the MRI scanning environment, and no entry will be permitted to the area without assessment by the technologist of the ferromagnetic or other risks of the entry. b. The technologist will rotate with other MRI technologists in cleaning the magnet room (Zone 4) and equipment. c. The Technologist will be required to give input to develop, maintain, and improve systems to accommodate the ordering, approval, scheduling, performance, interpretation, and long term archival of MRI examinations, based on the established features of VISTA architecture. d. The Technologist, in conjunction with the radiologist, will develop, maintain, and improve a system of examination protocols in order to standardize examination appearance, to tailor the images obtained to the pathologic condition being investigated, and to optimize the benefit to the patient being examined. e. Contacts referring physicians for pain control and or sedative medication for patients which cannot tolerate MRI procedure f. The Technologist will interpret requests and instructions from medical providers, under the guidance of the Radiologist. g. The Technologist will assign appointments and communicate necessary preparation instructions to the patient as a back up to the Medical Support Assistant. h. The Technologist will verify in at least two separate ways that the patient they are working with is the correct patient. i. The Technologist will inform the patient about the examination, securing their trust, confidence, and cooperation for the examination. j. The Technologist will fully screen each patient for contra-indications or risk factors for any of the techniques that are to be used in the examination. Collaboration with the Radiologist will take place in the presence of any of the above, and the examination and/or the patient's post procedural care will be adjusted accordingly. k. The Technologist will be fully competent in the art of placing stable, high flow intravenous catheters, and will insure that all injection sites that are to be used for contrast material are first verified with a high flow saline injection. l. The Technologist will insure that the contrast injection and the scanning sequences are timed appropriately so that the desired vascular phase images are obtained. m. The Technologist will position the patient and the image cut planes correctly for high quality views, and will vary the patient position and cut planes as necessary to adjust for the patient's medical condition and abilities. n. The Technologist will adjust all operator controllable parameters of the equipment, ensuring that the portion of the body specified receives the correct, calculated exposure to variable magnetic fields, radio wave signals, or ionizing radiation. o. The Technologist will use their specialized knowledge of anatomy to correctly visualize the desired features of the patient. p. Reports deviations in QA tests and defects in MRI equipment, power injector, and patient monitor to biomedical engineer and manufacturer service representative for repair or calibration. q. Must have good working relationship with manufacturer service representative in order to help diagnose and fix equipment over the phone and in person. Work Schedule: Full-time; Monday-Friday, 7:30-4:00 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 #: 000000