The mammographer performs independent technical work in support of mammography section under the direction of the Radiologist. The Technologist provides technical training and assistance to other personnel and provides direct support to the Chief Technologist. This position includes general management of patient flow, quality of work, supply tracking and restocking. The incumbent performs daily QA checklist as dictated by the FDA and ACR according to the Mammography Quality Assurance guidelines.
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. 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.) 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).] 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. 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. 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. 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). GRADE REQUIREMENTS. a. Creditable Experience (1) Knowledge of Current Radiologic Technology Practice. To be creditable, experience must have demonstrated possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics (also referred to as clinical competencies) associated with current radiologic technology practice. This may have been evidenced by the equivalent of one year of active practice, which is paid or non-paid employment as a DRT as defined by ARRT. (2) Quality of Experience. Experience is only creditable if it was earned after completion of the basic certification requirements identified in paragraph 2b above. Experience as a graduate DRT is creditable provided the candidate functioned as a DRT and subsequently passed the certification examination. (3) Part-Time Experience. Part-time experience as a DRT is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweek. For example, a DRT would receive one week of full-time credit for each two weeks of half-time work. b. Specialized Assignments. Specialized areas of radiologic technology include general diagnostic radiologic technology (R), bone densitometry (BD), mammography (M), diagnostic ultrasound (S), computed tomography (CT), [ ] magnetic resonance imaging (MR), [ ] [interventional radiologic technology (IR)], quality management (QM), [picture archival communication system (PACS) technologist, MRI safety officer (MRSO), imaging administrator, clinical program director, and clinical instructor.] (1) General Radiologic Technology (R). DRTs perform procedures and examinations in hospitals or clinics under the direction of radiologists and other medical officers. The objective of the examinations and procedures is to produce radiographic studies that are used in medical diagnosis and interpreted by medical officers to locate injuries, foreign bodies, pathological conditions, or lesions within the body. They prepare and administer contrast media and medications in accordance with State and Federal regulations. All DRTs must be knowledgeable in computerized [and digital radiography (CR/DR),] and picture archiving and communications systems (PACS). 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.] GRADE DETERMINATIONS. In addition to the basic requirements for appointment; the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates: [Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist], GS-9 [] (1) 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. (2) 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. DRTs at this grade level may be appointed to one of the following assignments: (a) [Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist]. 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 (*): 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.
FUNCTIONS a. Performs a variety of mammography examinations. Receive patient, explain the method of the procedure, positions the patients adjusts the equipment and makes the necessary mammographic exposures. b. 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. c. Performs/documents Quality Control procedures as required by ACR and FDA to maintain accreditation and pass inspections. d. Assists the radiologist in the performance of special mammography tests. Assists in stereotactic breast biopsies, needle localization's, ultrasound guided breast biopsy(s) and cyst aspirations, and MRI guided biopsies. Incumbent makes the film exposures under sterile technique after the radiologist inserts a needle into the patient and processes the image. Incumbent also makes images of breast tissue submitted for pathology findings. e. Assists the radiologists in filling out various reports for positive or negative findings on breast biopsies or needle localizations. f. Is responsible for uploading and mailing out or requesting mammograms from other facilities. Coordinates scheduling of mammography exams and procedures. g. Responsible for creating, implementing, collecting, and critiquing and preparing all mammography documents/reports for up-to-date data to ensure that the ACR, FDA, Joint commission and VA mandates are always within the prescribed standards. Submits annual updates to the ACR to ensure compliance and continued operation of mammography section. Per ACR guidelines submits hard copy films and associated documents to the ACR.The ACR review data and films to determine if DVAMC can continue to operate under its current of renewed license. h. Is responsible to ensure that credentials for all radiologists and technologists are accurate and up to date in accordance with published guidelines and maintains documentation of such. i. Schedules the Physicists inspection as needed, submits work orders for repair of equipment, and maintains documentation and provides copies to Quality Management. Incumbent is responsible for coordinating the FDA annual inspection and correcting any deficiencies noted. j. Schedules exams to maintain the flexibility for emergency cases. This requires the ability to prioritize scheduled patients as well as the ability to accommodate the emergency add-on procedure requiring immediate treatment. Confers with radiologists to determine requirement of non-standard exams. Determines technical factors, positioning, MAS and KVP, etc., to produce and satisfy requirements of diagnostic scans. Notify Radiologist of any x-rays requiring their immediate attention k. The incumbent is responsible for proper positioning of patient prior to exposure, selects and sets technical factors. Sets up and adjust accessory equipment required and makes exposures necessary for the requested procedures. Ability to vary tests or treatment procedures as needed to compensate for patient's individual medical conditions and body habitués. Sets up the x-ray room assuring sterile supplies, contrast materials, catheters, and other required equipment are present and lay out. Monitors patient's vital signs during these examinations and maintains records of patients and examinations performed. Ensures that the examination rooms and work rooms are kept clean and neat in appearance. l. 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. m. Keeps abreast of technological advances in the fields of mammography. Maintains ARRT and BLS license/certifications. n. Develops and presents management briefing reports specific to the operation of the mammography section such as reject film analyses, etc. Provides reports of accomplishments, proposals for improved effectiveness and state of equipment. o. Troubleshoots equipment used in mammography by monitoring the daily, weekly, and quarterly QC procedures and is able to make suggestions about repairs and/or adjustments. p. Must recognize and report major equipment malfunctions within a timely manner to a BioMed representative. Work Schedule: 0800-1630 M-F