The Lead Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (DRT) in Mammography functions as a lead DRT for a group of DRTs at the full performance level and below. The Lead DRT provides input on their performance, resolves daily workplace issues, maintains an efficient workflow in the Breast Imaging department and is accountable to the next higher level supervisor.

Duties

The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. Duties include but are not limited to the following: Provides technical oversight and assigns tasks to personnel, assuring completion of the workload and providing an optimal level of patient care within the workday. Plans, directs, and distributes work assignments to DRTs at lower grade levels. -Instructs and trains DRTs on newly acquired equipment. Plans and projects staffing needs. Independently performs standard and specialized diagnostic exams in advanced levels of complex treatment situations Communicates with patient in an effective and compassionate manner Confirms patient identification by using two proper identifiers in accordance with MVAHCS policy Interviews patient and verifies pertinent demographics, medical history and risk factors, previous mammography and breast procedures, current breast symptoms Addresses patient questions or concerns relating to the mammographic exam -Provides guidance and instructions to the patient throughout the exam Provides education regarding breast health and imaging recommendations Positions patient appropriately, applying knowledge of anatomy including postsurgical and post radiation changes Performs positioning of standard and special projections, including spot compression, magnification, cleavage, axillary tail, tangential, exaggerated craniocaudal, lateral and Eklund views of the breast Employs equipment components including compression paddles and magnification stands, gantry angulations and exposure parameters as necessary to provide optimal visualization of breast tissue. Obtains high quality images according to American College of Radiology (ACR) standards -Completes manual and electronic documentation of the exam encounter as necessary. Facilitates the process for obtaining previous imaging as specified by the patient Complies with regulatory guidelines for notifying patients of their results and the need for follow up care as recommended Prepares and mails out result lay letters to patients as required by VHA and MQSA/FDA regulations Prepares and mails out reminder letters to patients that are due/overdue for screening exams The Lead DRT is responsible for performing and assisting in interventional breast procedures including mammographic, stereotactic, ultrasound and MRI guided procedures. The Lead DRT is responsible for ensuring RME is cleaned in compliance with MVAHCS policies and manufacturers' recommendations The Lead DRT provides care and support to patients appropriate to their cognitive, physical and emotional needs. The employee interacts with people of all age levels from young adult through geriatric ages. The employee is aware of and responds to the physical, social and psychological demands of each patient. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:00am to 3:30pm Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Recruitment Incentives May Be Authorized for Highly Qualified Individuals Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

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 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. 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: 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. English Language Proficiency. DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and7407(d). 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). Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for appointment, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates: [Lead] Diagnostic Radiologic [ ] [Technologist] GS-9 Experience. You must have 1 year of experience at or equivalent to the next lower (GS-08), and must fully meet the KSAs at the next lower level (GS-08), which include but are not limited to: (a) Ability to check system for operation and assess acceptable performance based on established guidelines. (b) Knowledge of calibration parameters and the ability to make adjustments as needed. (c) Knowledge of patient's clinical record, diagnosis, and laboratory results. (d) Ability to monitor patient's physiologic changes during the procedure and keep the radiologist informed. (e) Skill in using tact, diplomacy, and courtesy in dealings with the customer base, patients, staff, family, visitors, and volunteers. (f) Knowledge of anatomy and physiology, and cross-sectional anatomy, recognizing unusual images, and determining proper positioning to best demonstrate areas of interest. Certification. All applicants must be certified in general radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology, Radiography (ARRT) (R) AND Advanced ARRT certification is required for assignments that include Mammography (M) AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to meeting the KSAs for the GS-8 level, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to provide technical oversight and assign personnel and tasks to be accomplished in a manner that assures completion of the workload utilizing the personnel to the greatest advantage thus providing the optimal level of patient care within the workday. Ability to plan, direct, and distribute work assignments to DRTs at lower grade levels. Skill in instructing and training DRTs on newly acquired equipment Ability to plan and project staffing needs. Skill to independently perform general and specialized diagnostic radiologic procedures in advanced levels of complex treatment situations. Assignment: 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.] References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G25, Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist Qualification Standard, dated December 13, 2019 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address Minneapolis VA Medical Center One Veterans Drive Minneapolis, MN 55417 US
• Name: Amy Bakner
• Phone: 612-629-7180
• Email: [email protected]