Summary

This Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (DRT) - Mammography Technologist position is assigned to the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center - Radiology Service - Mammography section within the facility.

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
• English Language Proficiency: DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d)
• 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).] Licensure/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.]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)
• 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: 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
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above - candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSA's
• 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: 1-2 years of experience performing mammography exams in addition to breast special procedures (e.g stereotactic biopsy - mammography guided saving localizations) - and QA/QC testing and documentation
• 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
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS10
• Physical Requirements: Work is primarily sedentary but also demands standing for long periods of time - walking - bending - twisting - and carrying light items.

Duties

• Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 30 -2025 or until all positions are filled.
• The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be March 31 - 2024 - with subsequent application reviews every 2 weeks
• If vacancies remain after September 30 - 2025 - then another announcement will be opened in October 2025
• This Announcement will be used to fill multiple vacancies within multiple Services identified during the interview
• This specialty modality requires specific knowledge of breast imaging examinations including Quality Assurance (QA) - Quality Control (QC) - mammography - and extensive knowledge of Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) - VHA certification in mammography - ACR accreditation in mammography - tomography - breast ultrasound - and image guided procedures
• The incumbent will have significant administrative duties - including the performance and documentation of QC required to maintain compliance with all QC and QA requirements as per VHA policy - FDA/MQSA regulations - and ACR standards in mammography - tomography - breast ultrasound - and image guided procedures
• The incumbent assists with organizing and managing a comprehensive QA/QC program within the breast imaging section and assisting the department at annual FDA/MQSA inspections
• The incumbent works closely with technologists - radiologists - clinicians - and clerical staff to assure optimum QC - efficient coordination of activities - high quality diagnostic exam results - and patient satisfaction
• The incumbent assist with ensuring all personal certifications and qualifications are continuously monitored and kept up-to-date as required by the accrediting bodies
• This includes personal qualifications - continuing experience - and educational experience required by MQSA for all the breast imaging physicians - technologists - and medical physicists
• The incumbent assists with tracking and coordinating annual and semiannual equipment inspections and preventative maintenance with Biomedical Engineering - and reviews and acts upon their recommendations
• Mammography: The incumbent is responsible for the performance of a variety of complex mammography radiographic exams
• These include - but are not limited to - screening and diagnostic mammography exams
• The incumbent is responsible for the quality and quantity of imaging examinations - and for ensuring proficiency and compliance of staff to all service - facility - and accreditation standards for breast imaging
• Work Schedule: Full-Time - 7:00am-3:30 pm and/or - 7:30am-4:00 pm and/or - 8:00am-4:30 pm and/or 8:30am-5:00 pm
• Weekends and Holidays when required
• Tour of duty will be as clinic needs dictate and subject to change based on agency needs
• 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 Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 502-00059-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized