Summary

The Mammography Technologist performs all duties in the Mammography arena. Technologists operate 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. Also performs a wide variety of complex Diagnostic imaging examinations for patients to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of disease and injury.

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
• 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)

Duties

• Duties and responsibilities for this position include - but are not limited to: Maintains effective control of the mammography area by coordinating - planning - organizing and executing the work potential to expedite workflow patterns within the department
• Performs diagnostics exams as well as mammography exams
• 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
• Receives patients - positions patient - selects and sets technical factors for requested diagnostic examinations
• Sets up - adjusts and operates diagnostic radiography equipment
• Functions with little or no supervision in the performance of complex radiographic examinations including fluoroscopy - C-Arm - excretory urograms and modified studies
• Performs Quality Control procedures - which may include (but not exclusively) the following: automatic processor film strips
• fixer retention or hypo test
• automatic processor developer temperature measurements
• reject/repeat film analysis
• screen cleaning regiment
• screen film contact
• grid alignment and artifacts
• mammography equipment phantom and reproducibility
• automatic exposure control density and field sensitivity
• darkroom safelight and integrity tests
• view box consistency and uniformity
• compression test
• Responsible for creating - implementing - collecting - critiquing and preparing all mammography documents/ reports for up-to-date data to ensure that the ACR - FDA and VA mandates are always within the prescribed standards
• 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 ensure 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
• Ensures that the examination rooms and work rooms are kept clean and neat in appearance
• Provides reports of accomplishments - proposals for improved effectiveness and state of equipment
• Assists the radiologist in performing complex procedures such as biopsies - needle punctures - fistulograms - etc
• 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
• 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 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
• 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 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
• Properly identifies patient films using flash identifiers - L & R markers - and positional markers
• This is essential to prevent mistaken identity of films
• Must be certain patient identification and the requests are identical
• Ensures that all mammograms images or films are displayed appropriately
• All other duties assigned
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00am to 4:30pm
• (Position will require On-Call back up and holiday rotation required for diagnostic radiology)
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Functional Statement #: 00000