Skip to main content
U.S. flag
Back to results

Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
New Mexico VA Health Care System, Diagnostic Imaging & Radiology Service
This job announcement has closed

Summary

The Raymond G. Murphy Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center is currently recruiting for Diagnostic Radiological Technician (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) to work for the Diagnostic Imaging & Radiology Service in Albuquerque, NM.

Overview

Help
Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
04/21/2025 to 04/28/2025
Salary
$81,048 to - $105,360 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 9
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Albuquerque, NM
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
None
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
Yes
Announcement number
CBSX-12723676-25-TH
Control number
835600300

Videos

Duties

Help

VA Careers - Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist: https://youtube.com/embed/I-4ku5UMvWM
Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf

  • Schedules patients for examinations in a manner so as to optimize MRI scanning times while maintaining a flexibility to allow for emergency cases.
  • Responsible for checking and evaluating the quality of their work on each and every patient. Check all sequences acquired to assure that adequate information has been attained for proper patient diagnosis, and care. Professional ethics and commitment to quality patient care also demands that an MRI Technologist report abnormal and or unexpected findings to the Radiologist.
  • Works with the radiologist as a member of the health care team. Must assist and anticipate the needs of the radiologists and the performance of the exam. Must be continuously on the alert for the patient's condition (the alertness of the individual is essential to prevent contamination, recognize patient reactions, anticipate technique factor difficulties, etc.)
  • Prepares contrast materials that are used in MRI and general exams.
  • Practices radiation safety in order to reduce exposure to patients, staff and self.
  • Uses the PACs system for retrieval of images to be printed to a laser camera. Also, must have knowledge to load and unload laser camera.
  • Maintains records and files of exams performed on patients. This includes patient logbooks, requisition and editing of patient exams in the Radiology Information System (RIS), copying of films, etc.
  • Properly identifies patient through the RIS interface identifier and left/right markers. This is essential so that mistaken identity of patient films does not occur. The radiographer must be certain that the patient I.D. band and the request are identical. Asks each patient to verbally confirm his or her name and social security last four numbers.
  • Assures that MRI patients are screened in advance for any contraindicating conditions per Imaging Service In-Service Policy. Responsible to explain exams to competent patients so that patients understand what is to be done as well as what hazards, if any, are possible.
  • Responsible for stocking and inventory of all MRI and general imaging supplies and related material.
  • Continually reviews new developments in MRI and general imaging.
  • Performs irregular hour emergency scans on-call, 24hours per day, coverage. This requires that the technologist be available as soon as possible, but no longer than 60 minutes from receipt of call. This is so that proper and effective emergency care can be given to the patient.
  • May perform conventional digital imaging radiographic examinations typically performed routinely by lower grade radiographers.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 08:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Compressed/Flexible:Not Available
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)
Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.
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
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

  • 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.
  • You may be required to serve a probationary period.
  • 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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
  • Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
  • Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

Qualifications

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.
  • English Language Proficiency. DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and7407(d).
  • 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). TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED
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

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.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
  1. Ability to balance the needs of patients and staff while still performing complex scans and procedures.
  2. Knowledge of techniques for gathering relevant information from the medical record, significant others, and health care providers.
  3. Ability to assess factors that may contraindicate the procedure.
  4. Knowledge of basic first aid and basic life support practices related to radiography.
  5. Knowledge of physical assessment, aseptic techniques, intravenous methods and techniques and universal precautions.
  6. Knowledge of pre-procedural, procedural, and post-procedural care of patients.
Certification. Advanced ARRT certification is required for this assignments in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds; Light carrying, under 15 pounds; straight pulling (2 hours); pushing ( 4 hours); reaching above shoulders; use of fingers; both hands required; walking (4 hours); standing (4 hours); kneeling (2 hours); repeated bending ( 2 hours); Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; both eyes required; hearing (aid maybe permitted); hearing without aid; mental and emotional stability.

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: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or 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.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Area of Consideration - Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order:

  1. Current permanent VA employees of the facility.
  2. All other VA employees.
  3. All other applicants.

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.

Your session is about to expire!

Your USAJOBS session will expire due to inactivity in 8 minutes. Any unsaved data will be lost if you allow the session to expire. Click the button below to continue your session.