Advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (Mammography)

Los Angeles, California, California, Incumbent performs mammographic imaging and assists with breast interventional procedures. Incumbent also performs general Radiography examinations and all other duties assigned. Applicant must be certified in general radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT). 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 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).

NOTE: Assignment to the clinical program director requires meeting JRCERT minimum educational standards as noted in the assignment description. English Language Proficiency. DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U. S. C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). 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. 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 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, 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 Determination GS-10: 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. 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: Advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist. Employees are trained to work in one or more difficult and complex modalities performing procedures related to these modalities as well as performing general diagnostic procedures. At this grade level, any assignment in a single modality must demonstrate significant complexity. Such assignments are unique, perhaps with expert specialization in complex areas of radiologic technology, Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) regulations, and intermediate QM type duties within the program. The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs: i. Knowledge of radiation protection standards, devices and techniques, including concepts of accumulated dosage, dose monitoring, and genetic changes. ii.

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. iii. Knowledge of basic physics including concepts of energy, electric power, magnetic fields, and properties of x-ray, to understand the operation of the equipment. iv. Knowledge and skill in positioning of patients for a wide variety of highly complex imaging (CT, MRI, IR, ultrasound, mammography) studies. **Mammography. 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 and regulated by the FDA. [DRT assignments that include performance of independent duties in this subspecialty require advanced ARRT (M) certification. ]** References: VHA Handbook 5005/119, Part II, Appendix G25 Dated December 13, 2019, Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist Qualification Standard GS-0647. Physical Requirements: The physical demands of the work includes: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over; moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds; pushing up to 4 hours; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers, good dexterity (both hands required); prolonged walking, prolonged standing; repeated bending; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (aid permitted); speed in working; and emotional stability. Must have the ability to stand and work while wearing a lead apron for possibly long periods of time. [“Duties included but are not limited to: Technologist performs independently screening mammography, diagnostic mammography and assists the Breast Imaging Radiologist with mammographic interventions. Receives patients, explains method of procedure, positions patient, and makes exposures necessary for the requested examination. Technologist meets the requirements set forth in 21 CFR 900.

12(a) (2), maintenance of an Advanced Registry in Mammography, provided by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology, in order to perform mammographic evaluations. Technologist is responsible to provide a teamwork environment with Radiologists, Supervisors, fellow technologists, and all other personnel that they are interacting with daily to facilitate pertinent information to ensure the success of the Mammography Section. Technologist independently performs standard Mammographic examinations. Confers with radiologists to establish requirements of examinations and determines optional factors, etc. , to satisfy additional requests to determine the diagnostic results. Responsible for maintaining adequate supplies in section and additional duty areas at all times. Technologist works directly with lead-interpreting physician and designated interpreting physicians to ensure quality and determine requirements of non-standard exams. Notify Radiologists of images requiring their immediate attention. Technologist works with Mammographic schedule to assure timely accomplishment of assigned workload, making day-to-day adjustments in accordance with established priorities and additional assignments. Technologist performs quality control and data must be recorded, tracked, and maintained in appropriate fashion.

Technologist then provides corrective actions and troubleshooting and will then notify biomedical engineers, if further assistance is required. Technologist performs and maintains annual checklists of the following quality control areas and at the frequencies noted in 21 CFR 900. 12(e): Breast phantoms testing and evaluation, Equipment assessment (control panel, equipment locks, light field testing, cables, KVmAs indicators), Equipment Compression force tests, Softcopy Workstation evaluation/testing, Detector calibration, Detector artifact evaluation, Digital phantom assessments (optical density assessments), Signal to noise and Contrast measurements, Softcopy Workstation evaluation/testing, Compression thickness indicator evaluation, Equipment repairs and preventative maintenance. Technologist updates post reviews of the following information, by the Chief, Imaging Service and lead-interpreting physician: required patient care procedures and complaint processes, breast localization guidelines, patient history form and result letters, Infection Control Policy (specific to mammography per FDA), mammography personnel duties (per FDA) MSDS specific to mammography section (per FDA), cleaning product(s) documentation (per Hologic, INC), any documentation of serious blood/body fluid contact (per FDA), and on-going log of equipment repairs and preventative maintenance, consumer complaints, medical audit, medical report content, patients with breast implants, direct communication of results to patients. Technologist assists Medical Physicist with annual mammography facility physics survey and frequent bi-weekly consultations. Technologist performs quarterly reviews compiling multiple mammographic statistics for management reviews, Women’s Veterans Health Program and Breast Surgeons. Results are also facilitated to the lead-interpreting physician. Technologist tracks results of mammography and/or pathology procedures on women performed off-site, and ensuring the data is captured and entered into approved software; e. g. , WHS, VistA and/or CPRS.

Not less than quarterly, technologist is to provide to the Medical Physicist, the QC and/or QA records need to be reviewed to ensure the continued existence, continuity, and completion meets subsequent inspection standards. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00A-4:30P Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required”]

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