Performs independent technical work in support of mammography section under the direction of a radiologist Operates Mammographic, Stereotactic, limited ultrasound and DEXA equipment as part of the diagnostic plan for patient care. The technologist provides technical training and assistance to other personnel and provides indirect support to the Chief Technologist and Lead Technologists. Position includes general management of patient flow, quality of work, and supply restocking.

Duties

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Performs independent technical work in support of mammography section under the direction of a radiologist Operates Mammographic, Stereotactic, limited ultrasound and DEXA equipment as part of the diagnostic plan for patient care. The technologist provides technical training and assistance to other personnel and provides indirect support to the Chief Technologist and Lead Technologists. Position includes general management of patient flow, quality of work, and supply restocking. The incumbent will assume all assigned duties of lead Mammography technologist in their absent. Licensure Requirements: Valid and current American Registry of Radiologic Technologists and Mammography Certification. FUNCTIONS a. Performs a variety of mammography examinations. Receive patient, explains the method of the procedure, positions the patients adjusts the equipment and makes the necessary mammographic exposures. Obtains patient history and enters it into Volpara. b. Assists the radiologist and operates equipment in the performance of special mammography tests: needle localization's, stereotactic, MR! and ultrasound guided breast biopsy(s) and cyst aspirations in which the radiologist pinpoints a suspected area on the patient. Incumbent maintains sterile technique during procedure and makes the film exposures under sterile technique after the radiologist inserts a needle into the patient. Incumbent also makes post-operative images of breast tissue submitted for pathology findings. c. Tracks all patients using Volpara, prints result letters and mails outpatient letters. d. Assists with protocoling of mammography and ultras und requests and schedules procedures. e. Assists the radiologists in filling out various reports for positive or negative findings on breast biopsies or needle localizations. f. Responsible for uploading mammograms from other facilities g. Coordinates scheduling with the Women's Health Clinic as needed. h. Performs daily and monthly QA checklist as dictated by the FDA and ACR according to the Mammography Quality Assurance guidelines an maintains accurate documentation. Ensures that mammographic examinations are done ONLY _if the entire QA checklist is done and there are NO areas out of compliance. i. Submits work orders for repair of equipment and maintains documentation. j. Incumbent assists with meeting FDA requirements, preparation for the FDA annual inspection, completing QA testing, documentation and correction of any deficiencies noted. k. Confers with radiologists to determine requirement 01 non-standard exams. Determines technical factors, positioning, MAS and KVP, etc., to produce and satisfy requirements of diagnostic images. Notify Radiologist of any x-rays requiring their immediate attention. Work Schedule: 0800-1630 M-F Telework: No Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Requirements

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENTS. Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g.) 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.] 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. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. English Language Proficiency. DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). GRADE REQUIREMENTS. Creditable Experience (1) Knowledge of Current Radiologic Technology Practice. To be creditable, experience must have demonstrated possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics (also referred to as clinical competencies) associated with current radiologic technology practice. This may have been evidenced by the equivalent of one year of active practice, which is paid or non- paid employment as a DRT as defined by ARRT. (2) Quality of Experience. Experience is only creditable if it was earned after completion of the basic certification requirements identified in paragraph 2b above. Experience as a graduate DRT is creditable provided the candidate functioned as a DRT and subsequently passed the certification examination. (3) Part-Time Experience. Part-time experience as a DRT is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweek. For example, a DRT would receive one week of full- time credit for each two weeks of half-time work. 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.] [Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist], GS-8 [] (1) Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level. (2) Assignments. Employees at this grade level serve as staff DRTs at the full performance level. Candidates at this grade level must be qualified to independently provide services in specialized areas of radiologic technology and/or general radiologic technology services with only occasional oversight or direction for highly complex issues. (3) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (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. 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-08. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-08

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address Durham VA Medical Center 508 Fulton Street Durham, NC 27705 US
• Name: Gary Byles
• Phone: 919-824-1988
• Email: [email protected]