The Birmingham VA Medical Center located in downtown Birmingham; Alabama is recruiting for a Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (MRI) to work within the Radiology/Imaging Services. A recruitment incentive (sign on bonus) may be authorized. A relocation incentive has been authorized. This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 30, 2023. 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: Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g.) 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. 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. Exception for Non-Certified, Entry Level Candidates. Non-certified DRTs who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for ARRT (R) certification may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate DRT under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B). The appointing official may waive the requirement of certification for a period not to exceed two years for a DRT that provides care under the supervision of a certified DRT at or above the full performance level. This exception only applies at the GS-5 entry level technician. For grade levels above the entry level, the candidate must be certified. Temporary appointments of non-certified DRTs may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment. (3) Loss of Credential. An employee in this occupation who fails to obtain certification within two years, or who fails to maintain the required certification must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment. Grandfathering Provision. 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. NOTE: Each uncertified VHA DRT who was permanently employed on June 21, 1986, and whose competence in the safe administration of ionizing radiation was affirmed, in writing, by a VA licensed physician not later than January 1, 1987, is considered fully qualified. These employees may be promoted, changed to lower grade, or reassigned within the GS-0647 occupational series. Any employee initially retained in this manner who leaves this job series loses protected status and must meet the full requirements in effect at the time of reentry. 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: GS-09: To meet the requirements for the GS-09 grade level Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist do you possess At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-08) which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the positions to be filled. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/119 PART II APPENDIX G25 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09. 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 ["The MRI Technologist performs daily inspection and operate the MRI scanner under the direction of the Lead/MR Safety Officer (MRSO) Technologist or Chief Technologist of Radiology, the MRI Technologist works independently and performs Magnetic Resonance Imaging procedures. He/she will perform all diagnostic MRI exams (head, neck, spine, chest, abdomen, pelvis, and extremities), MRA's and MR guided procedures (biopsies). The purpose of these exams is to achieve diagnostic studies so that proper diagnosis and treatment will be delivered. These exams are performed with and without the use of contrast materials, so the technologist is required to be able to establishes IV access and administers IV contrast. He/she will observe patient for signs and symptoms of adverse contrast reaction while initiating the appropriate response for varying levels of severity. The incumbent will discuss any exam that deviates from normal protocol set by the radiologist. The duties performed are almost exclusively hands-on technical duties. The incumbent will assure optimum patient care, quality control, and comply with departmental SOPs. The MRI Technologist will work with the Lead/MRSO technologist to ensuring effective screening, quality control, while keeping with MR safe practices. The incumbent must be able to follow written protocols and instructions of the radiologist. He/she will adhere to basic principles of radiofrequency and magnetic safety in order to protect the patient and the operating personnel. The incumbent must adhere to and be familiar with infection control policies and procedures to be followed on patients undergoing diagnostic studies on the MRI unit. Incumbent will be responsible for insuring proper cleaning and decontamination of the equipment as necessary. He/she is responsible for managing the patient flow throughout the MRI suite, ensuring efficiency or operations and limit patient wait time. Incumbent must be on-call and must be available to perform emergency procedures that require use of MRI scan examinations. Work Schedule: 10:00am-6:30pm or 11:00am-7:30pm Monday-Friday, with some weekend, holidays, and on-call Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: FS338 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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