The Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (Mammography) performs full field digital screening and diagnostic mammography examinations on a variety of patients, both male and female, ensuring correct patient positioning and proper compression and exposure techniques. A Recruitment Incentive may be authorized for a Highly Qualified Individual. 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. Certification. All applicants must be certified in general radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology, Radiography (ARRT). 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) Accredited Educational Programs (jrcertaccreditation.org) or from [other accrediting agencies as recognized by the Department of Education (DOE) http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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. English Language Proficiency. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. 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). 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: 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. Preferred Experience: Minimum 3-5 years mammography experience in screening and diagnostic exams. Experience in maintaining all related MQSA and FDA documentation. Prior or current experience in Bone Densitometry Previous experience with MRS (reporting system) Previous experience with Hologic Imaging systems Grade Determinations: GS-09: Experience: Must have 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. Mammography (M): The complex nature of breast disease involves multiple imaging modalities. This specialty involves the specific knowledge and abilities to perform complex imaging of the breast. Mammographers must be able to employ specialized mammographic image techniques such as magnification views and implant views of the breast. The mammographer is required to be completely familiar with, and adhere to, all U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines regulating the practice of mammography, radiation safety, and quality assurance requirements. Mammographers are subject to the Mammography Quality Standards Act of 1992 (MQSA) and regulated by the FDA. [DRT assignments that include performance of independent duties in this subspecialty require advanced ARRT (M) certification.] Assignments. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Employees at this level are fully functional as an advanced DRT and carry out their assigned tasks independently. DRTs at this level may have varying assignments including special and complex imaging procedures beyond the full performance level, clinical instruction, and basic QM type duties within the program. Regardless of the nature of the specific assignment, the work must be of sufficient scope and complexity to meet the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform at this level. The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA's): In addition to the requirements listed above, candidates 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, Dated 12/13/2019. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting 45 pounds and over; Moderate carrying 15-44 pounds; Reaching above shoulders; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking 4-Hours; Standing 4-Hours; Both legs required; Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; Both eyes required; Depth perception; Ability to distinguish basic colors; Ability to distinguish shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted); Other. ["The Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (Mammography) engages patients and inquiries about a history of prior mammograms performed at other health care facilities, the presence of breast implants, and pregnancy status. Ensures each patient completes or updates their mammography questionnaire form. Interviews patients regarding past medical history pertinent to the mammogram procedure and annotates any additional findings on the patient's mammography questionnaire. If a patient confirms having obtained mammograms at another health care facility, faxes properly completed release of information paperwork to the other health care institution to initiate the transfer of previous film screen or digital (on disc) mammograms to the CTVHCS Mammography section. Performs appropriate follow-up to ensure prior mammograms are received in a timely manner. Ensures that digital mammograms received on disc from outside institutions are given to the Imaging Service Chief Technologist for loading into the organization's PACS. Before examining any patient, ensures that previous digital mammograms have been properly transferred from the organization's Picture Archival and Communication System (PACS) into the mammography workstation. Explains the mammogram procedure to each patient before performing the examination. Answers any questions the patient may have about the exam. Instructs the patient on self breast exams and gives the patient handouts, to ensure they can perform the exam. Correctly positions patients for the examination, chooses correct size compression paddle and applies appropriate compression, selects appropriate equipment exposure factors, and performs the required exposures. Examines each patient's breasts for possible skin lesions (moles, scars, etc.) that may produce image artifacts and marks these findings with appropriate radiopaque skin markers before acquiring the initial mammogram images. Prepares completed mammogram reports/interpretations for filing in patient's mammography film jackets. If after performing a screening mammogram a diagnostic mammogram is requested by the interpreting radiologist, enters the appropriate diagnostic mammogram order in the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS). Performs a variety of complex diagnostic views so that the radiologists can make an accurate assessment of any abnormal findings. Sends result letter to patients. Performs required quality control (QC) tests on both the mammography station and the dedicated mammography printer at the appropriate specified intervals to meet ACR and MQSA requirements/regulations. These QC tests include compression test, printer QC test, Phantom, Flat Field, Calibration Gain test, SNR and CNR tests, SMPTE, and View Box test. Keeps track of radiologist and mammography technologist workload totals and continuing medical education to help ensure that MQSA requirements are always fulfilled. Is responsible to maintain an outcome analysis log for all Bi-Rads categories 4 and 5. Maintains an infection control log for all equipment. Responsible for assisting with and keeping records for the annual FDA inspection and ACR inspections every three years. Reviews new developments in the field of mammography and recommends to the supervisor those developments that would improve the overall operation of the section. Maintains inventories of instruments, medications, supplies and emergency equipment Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Recruitment Incentive: A Recruitment Incentive may be authorized for a Highly Qualified Individual. Functional Statement #: Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (Mammography)/0000 Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required"]
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
