Summary

The Albuquerque - New Mexico VA Healthcare System is recruiting for one (1) Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (Mammographer) within the Radiology/Joint Imaging Service. As a Mammographer - independently performs a variety of radiologic examinations from simple to very difficult including - but not limited to - mammograms. Area assignments are on a rotational basis and determine the types of procedures performed.

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:

• 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
• 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
• 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.] 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 - 12/13/2019 - 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: (1) DRTs that require a certification - may be reassigned - promoted up to and including the full performance (journeyman) level GS-8 - or changed to lower grade within the occupation - but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions
• (2) DRTs that require a certification only at higher grade levels must meet the certification requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels
• (3) DRTs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed - on a temporary or permanent basis - until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard
• (4) DRTs initially grandfathered into this occupation - who subsequently obtain additional education and/or certification that meet all of the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation
• (5) Employees who are retained as a DRT under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry as a DRT
• Grade Determinations: GS-09 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
• 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
• Part-Time experience as a DRT is creditable according to its relationship to full-time workweek
• For example - a DRT would receive 1 week of full-time credit for each 2 weeks of half-time (20 hours/week) work
• The candidate must also demonstrate all 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
• 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
• 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-09
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-09
• Physical Requirements: Ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors
• Hearing with or without a hearing aid

Duties

• VA Careers - Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist: https://youtube.com/embed/I-4ku5UMvWM Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Diagnostic Radiologic Technologists perform procedures and examinations in hospitals or clinics under the direction of radiologists and other medical officers
• Duties include but are not limited to: 100% tracking of all mammography patients - all needle localizations and surgical referral mammography patients Tracking number of screening exams read by each radiologist - workups ordered by each radiologist - and work-ups V's positive/negative results per radiologist Perform analysis of mammography practice audit data Vs section's desired goals
• Ensure quality control tests are being accomplished by ACR/FDA requirements
• Additionally - this data is always updated and ready for review
• Works with Tumor Board Registry in data collection of breast disease and tracks internal biopsy results to calculate sensitivities and specificities
• Disseminates and interprets policies towards clinics as needed
• Assist radiologists in the fluoroscopic examinations
• Prepares contrast materials under the direction of the radiologist for the purpose of performing exams requiring injectable solutions such as IVP - cystogram - cholangiograms fistulagrams and arthrography and for the purpose of performing oral and rectal exams of the GI tract
• Responsible to the radiologists and supervisors for the quality and quantity of radiographic exams performed to assure a high level of acceptability of radio graphs while minimizing patient dosage and reducing costs
• Practices radiation safety to reduce exposure to patients - staff and self
• This is achieved using lead aprons - lead gloves - lead shields - lead-lined walls and collimation
• As part of compliance with radiation safety regulations and guidelines the technologists/technicians must wear radiation exposure monitoring badge when in designated radiation areas
• Performs image processing procedures such as loading and unloading cassettes on CR digitizers - adjusting image quality when necessary and printing images when required to provide adequate and proper processed radiologic examinations
• Properly identifies the patient and the image
• Uses left and right markers
• This is essential so that mistaken identity does not occur
• The technologist must confirm the identification of the patient prior to beginning any study by using two (2) identifiers such as Full name - the patient's Social Security number - birthdate or - in the case of ER or inpatients - the patients' ID band
• It is imperative that patient and the requested exam are identical
• Responsible for explaining exams to competent patients so that the patient understands what is to be done as well as what hazards - if any - are possible
• May be required by procedure or patient's condition to monitor vital signs - recognize allergic reactions and initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation
• Performs radiographic exams at the bedside and in the operating rooms providing diagnostic x-rays to the surgeons and professional staff on patients that are unable to be x-rayed in the Radiology Service due to incapacity or surgical procedures
• These exams are achieved using portable x-ray units and mobile intensifier units (C­Arms) that may be in Surgery or other areas within the medical center
• Performs other related duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM (Schedules are determined by immediate supervisor.) Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• 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 #: 000000 - Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist - Mammography (M) GS-0647-9 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Approved