BASIC REQUIREMENTS: a.
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.) b.
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.) c.
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.) (1) 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.
(2) 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.
d.
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.