Career Center

This is an open continuous announcement and applications submitted prior to 03/18/2023 will be pulled and rated for referral. Further ratings will occur every two weeks thereafter until position is filled. Once a selection has been made, no further candidates will be rated/referred unless further vacancies occur. This announcement may be canceled at any time. 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, Radiography (ARRT) (R) AND Mammography (M). 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), 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). 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. 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. Grade Determination: In addition to the basic requirements, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates. GS-09 Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-8) directly related to the position being filled that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level / Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs. 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. 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 5005/119, Part II, Appendix G25, dated December 13, 2019, Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist Qualification Standards, GS-0647. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. ["The Mammography/ Diagnostic Technologist has the overall responsibility for the coordination and performance of the mammography section. He/she works closely with the mammo radiologist and coordinates with the Chief Technologist, the Assistant Chief Technologist, Lead Technologist, Technologists, Radiologists, Clinicians and Clerical staff to assure optimum quality control, ensure patient safety in accordance with JCAHO, FDA, and VHA policy, efficient coordination of activities, high quality screening and diagnostic exam results, and patient satisfaction at PAVA and CBOC locations. Functions or Scope of Assigned Duties Advises radiologist physicians of significant abnormalities that would require their immediate attention and visualization while the patient is undergoing the examination. Participates in the training of physicians, physician residents, students, and radiology technicians so that these individuals may acquire an understanding of the principles of mammography and how it related to other diagnostic exams. Explains the procedure to the patients so that an understanding of the purpose of the study as well as any requirements of the patients are thoroughly understood. This is done so that an adequate mammography study may be obtained to obtain diagnostic examinations for the purpose of treatment and diagnosis of disorders. Interviews patients for history of previous mammography, breast disease and breast invasive interventions, assesses mammography risk factors and medical history. Provides patient education prior to performing the mammography procedure addressing the patients concern and promotes the need for periodic patient self-examinations. Performs routine procedures for the purpose of maintaining accurate mammography records including editing and when appropriate registering patient exams in Vista. Incumbent schedules tests in a manner to optimize all mammography procedures and the coordination of equipment, while maintaining flexibility to allow for emergency cases. Performs screening mammography for the detection of physiological change in the breast tissue which may indicate cancer or other disease process. As required by local or national VHA policy, attempts to obtain previous mammograms from the indicated facility as specified by the patient. Performs diagnostic mammograms on patients with identified breast problems, following abnormal screening mammograms, or short interval follow up imaging recommendations. This procedure requires extensive knowledge of special projections and nonstandard patient positions, which are essential to resolve identified problems. Performs numerous additional mammographic projections including spot compression views, magnification views, cleavage views, axillary tail views, tangential views, exaggerated craniocaudal views, 90-degree lateral mediolateral views, 90-degree lateral lateromedial views, caudocranial views, lateromedial oblique views, superolateral to inferomedial oblique views, and Eklund's views of the breast with implants. Able to assist with invasive procedures as needed. Completes all documentation, including computerized documentation. Maintains a clean work area. Stock supplies needed to perform examination and provide emergency treatments. Prepares room with supplies needed to perform examinations and provide emergency treatments. Assists administrators in determining quantities for purchase Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 8:00am - 4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized Telework: Not Approved Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 02579F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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