Career Center

Summary

This position is in the Diagnostic Imaging Service and serves all locations at VA Central Texas Health Care System. This specialty modality requires specific knowledge of breast imaging examinations including mammography - interventional procedures of the breast - and extensive knowledge of Mammography Quality Standards Act - VHA certification in mammography - ACR accreditation in mammography - tomography - breast ultrasound - stereotactic biopsy - and breast MRI.

Qualifications

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) (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 2 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)
• Physical Requirements
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• English Language Proficiency
• DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d)
• 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-10 Experience
• One year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-09 - directly related to the position being filled that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level
• Experience includes full range of general radiologic imaging exams - broad knowledge of the different modalities within the diagnostic radiologic area - and is accountable to the next higher-level supervisor
• NOTE: to be equivalent to the GS-9 level - experience must also be earned while having an Advanced AART Certification
• Certification
• Advanced American Registry of Radiologic Technology - Mammography (ARRT) (M)
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs: Knowledge of radiation protection standards - devices and techniques - including concepts of accumulated dosage - dose monitoring - and genetic changes
• Ability to utilize advanced imaging software that supports complex imaging programs and recognize changes in equipment and procedures that might result in increased exposures - and ability to recommend methods to prevent such exposures
• Knowledge of basic physics including concepts of energy - electric power - magnetic fields - and properties of x-ray - to understand the operation of the equipment
• Knowledge and skill in positioning of patients for a wide variety of highly complex imaging (CT - MRI - IR - ultrasound - mammography) studies
• Preferred Experience: Licensed and accredited through ARRT
• certified in Mammography Licensed and accredited through ARDMS in Ultrasound or on-the-job training in lieu of Knowledgeable of equipment QA functions Knowledgeable of FDA/MQSA regulations and requirements Minimum of 1 years' experience in mammography and ultrasound Knowledgeable of applicable computer programs Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-10
• Physical Requirements: Heavy Lifting (45 lbs and over)
• Heavy Carrying (45 lbs and over)
• Straight Pulling (up to 1 hour)
• Pushing (1 - 2 hours)
• Reaching above shoulder
• Use of fingers
• Both hands required
• Walking (up to 3 hours)
• Standing (up to 3 hours)
• Repeated bending (up to 1 hour)
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Near vision correctable at 13" to 16"
• Hearing (aid permitted).

Duties

• Major duties include - but are not limited to: Accurately operates diagnostic mammography equipment to obtain screening mammography - diagnostic mammography - digital breast tomosynthesis - etc
• examinations of acceptable quality - utilizing the least amount of radiation to obtain quality imaging for diagnosis and localization purposes
• Works under the supervision of the Assistant Chief Technologist and Chief Technologist and rotates all responsibilities within the Mammography section
• Knowledge of breast anatomy and physiology including location - appearance - and function of the breast - and knowledge of changes to the breast caused by common medical and surgical diseases
• Performs all aspects of Mammography imaging to include all breast imaging examinations including QA - mammography - and interventional procedures of the breast
• Works independently on most exams but confers with Assistant Chief Technologist or Chief Technologist - Radiologists and Lead Interpreting Physician on more difficult problems
• Evaluates work performance of lower-level employees and recommends performance ratings to Assistant Chief Technologist or Chief Technologist
• Provides on-the-job training for employees
• Assists in managing day-to-day operations of the Mammography section to include reviewing of upcoming scheduled appointments to ensure appropriateness of exam and assist radiologist in the pre-screening and protocoling process
• Review incoming orders for appropriateness and defer any unique requests to the radiologist for review
• Incumbent will report machine deficiencies and ensure work orders are submitted for Biomedical assistance or vendor to access issue
• Ensures all supplies needed to perform procedures
• Responsible for clinic cancellation due to tech call-out or on leave
• Assists in managing leave - to ensure there is a minimum number of staff to cover operating three machines
• Deals with emergency leave as they come up and defers requests beyond their scope to the Assistant Chief Technologist
• Responsible to train new staff upon hiring and ensure they have completed all mandatory training as required yearly
• The Advanced DRT/Mammography is the primary interface with schedulers
• Will work individually with the section nurse to get biopsies or special procedures on the schedule and inform the radiologist of the exam
• Responsible to handle informal complaints from the employees and do what he/she can do to resolve the issue
• The incumbent will interface with the Assistant Chief Technologist and Chief Technologist on areas of concern that are outside the scope of their duties and requiring supervisory intervention
• The Advanced DRT/Mammography is the go-to person to assist staff in resolving work related problems
• The incumbent must evaluate the patient body habitus based on the patient's age - size - condition of skin (placing markers if indicated) - position limiting disabilities and previous breast augmentation or surgeries to determine proper exposure technique settings
• Positions patients accurately - applying knowledge of anatomy and imaging equipment to provide optimal visualization
• Incorporates equipment components to obtain all required visualization - including angulations - compression paddles - and manipulation of imaging factors
• Performs diagnostic mammograms on patients with identified breast problems
• Performs additional mammographic projections from protocol or direction from Radiologist
• This procedure requires extensive knowledge of special projections and non-standard patient positioning that is essential to resolve identified problems Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: Monday-Friday
• 0730-1600 Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases 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 #: 674-53513-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized