Career Center

Summary

Mammography Technologist operates independently and without direct supervision as the technologist responsible for the performance and coordination of mammography exams. The purpose of these exams is to achieve diagnostic studies so that proper diagnosis and treatment may be effectuated. Operates independently and without direct supervision as the technologist responsible for the performance and coordination of all diagnostic radiology examinations.

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
• Certification: All applicants must be certified in general radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT) (R)
• Advanced ARRT certification is required for Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• Advanced certification indicates that the technologist has demonstrated specific clinical competency in the appropriate specialty and taken and passed the designated examination
• 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)
• 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
• 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
• Preferred Experience: Advanced Mammography Certification 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment as listed above - applicants must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-08 grade level independently providing radiologic services with occasional oversight or direction for highly complex issues
• Examples of qualifying experience includes - but is not limited to: experience checking radiologic systems for operation and assessing acceptable performance based on established guidelines
• making calibration parameter adjustments as needed
• monitoring a patients physiologic changes during procedures and keeping the radiologist informed - experience with the patients clinical record - diagnosis - and laboratory results
• experience using tact - diplomacy - and courtesy in dealings with the customer base - patients - staff - family - visitors - and volunteers
• experience utilizing knowledge of anatomy and physiology - and cross-sectional anatomy - recognizing unusual images - and determining proper positioning to best demonstrate areas of interest
• References: VA Handbook 5005/77 - Part II - Appendix G25 - Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist Qualification Standard - GS-647.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-09
• Physical Requirements: Work requires physical exertion such as periods of standing (up to 7 hours) - walking (up to 7 hours) - repeated bending (.5 hours) - straight pulling (.5 hours) - pushing (.5 hours) - use of fingers - both hands required - ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously - reaching above the shoulder - moderate carrying (15 - 44 pounds) - heavy lifting (45 pounds and over)
• Ability to read printed material without strain (glasses permitted) - visual requirement 20/50 or better in one eye - ability to distinguish basic colors
• Mental and emotional stability
• Ability to hear conversational voice (aid permitted).Environmental Factors: Working around machinery with moving parts - protracted or irregular hours - radiant energy - working closely

Duties

• Mammography - Maintains effective control of the mammography area by coordinating - planning - organizing and executing the work potential to expedite workflow patterns within the department
• Schedules patient for exams and maintains daily log of patients and procedures to be incorporated into statistical management workload profiles
• Receives and positions patient for examination
• Explains procedures and actions to allay fears and secure maximum cooperation
• Assist the radiologist in the performance of special mammography tests
• Assists in needle localization - breast biopsy(s) and cyst aspirations - in which the radiologist pinpoints a suspected area on the patient
• Incumbent makes exposures and processes the film under sterile technique after the radiologist inserts the localizing needle into the patient
• Incumbent also makes radiographs of breast tissue submitted for pathology findings
• Performs Quality Control procedures - which may include (but not exclusively) the following:
• reject/repeat film analysis
• screen cleaning regiment
• grid alignment and artifacts
• mammography equipment phantom and reproducibility
• automatic exposure control density and field sensitivity
• compression test
• SNR/CNR test
• Responsible for creating - implementing - collecting - critiquing and preparing all mammography documents/ reports for up-to-date data to insure that the ACR - FDA and VA mandates are always within the prescribed standards
• Technologist will be responsible for submitting annual updates to the ACR to ensure compliance and continued operation of mammography section
• Every three years - submits hard copy films and associated documents to the ACR
• The ACR review data and films will determine if the medical center can continue to operate under its current or renewed license
• Recognizes anatomy and its pathology and makes adjustments as necessary to insure that proper identification of said anatomy is well visualized in order to achieve optimal diagnosis by the radiologist
• Keeps abreast of technological advances in the fields of mammography
• Maintains ARRT and BCLS license/ certifications
• Insures that the examination rooms and work rooms are kept clean and neat in appearance
• Develops and presents management briefing reports specific to the operation of the mammography section such as: reject film analyses - film usage analyses - etc
• Provides reports of accomplishments - proposals for improved effectiveness and state of equipment
• Monitors and controls film waste to maximize efficiency in the number of exams performed without compromising quality standards
• Troubleshoots equipment used in mammography by monitoring the daily - weekly - and quarterly QC procedures to make suggestions about repairs and/or adjustments
• Must recognize and report major equipment malfunctions within a timely manner to Radiology Manager or a BioMed Representative
• Manages all aspects of the mammography file room
• Coordinates incoming and outgoing image movements
• Dispatches images and reports to outside physicians and hospitals
• Maintains a log of all radiographs received from outside sources
• Monitors these radiographs to be certain all radiographs on loan are returned in a timely manner in order to maintain good working relations with outside facilities
• Employs up-to-date record keeping and tracking mechanisms
• Responsible for explaining exams to patients in terms the patient will comprehend as well as recognize potential hazards
• May be required by procedure or patient's condition to monitor vital signs - recognize allergic reactions and initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation
• Receives and interprets all mammography radiology requests
• Inputs pertinent radiology information into computer
• Technologist will be able to register - cancel and edit requests via the computer radiology information system (RIS)
• Compiles computer generated Radiology reports and distributes to appropriate clinics and physicians
• Validates and sends lay summary letter to each and every patient once the mammogram has been reported by a radiologist and communicates consults as needed
• Maintains all BIRAD reports as mandated by the FDA and ACR
• Preferred Experience: Advanced Mammography Certification Work Schedule: 8:00am to 4:30pm
• Monday - Friday Telework: No Financial Disclosure Report: Not required