Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (Mammography)

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

VA Careers - Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist: https://youtube.com/embed/I-4ku5UMvWM

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

• Requires specific knowledge of breast imaging examinations including Quality Assurance (QA), Quality Control (QC), mammography, and extensive knowledge of Mammography Quality Standards Act (MSQA), VHA certification in mammography, ACR accreditation in mammography, tomography, breast ultrasound, breast ultrasound interventional procedures, stereotactic biopsy, and breast MRI.
• Provides services in mammography, including performing very difficult and highly specialized radiographic examinations of the breast mammography utilizing a variety of specialized procedures that require precise positioning producing quality results.
• Sets up the exam room, assuring enough sterile supplies, and assures all needed equipment is present and in working order to include correcting technical factors, sets up and adjusts accessory equipment, sets the required exposure for the requested procedure, secures the confidence and cooperation of the patient during the examination procedures, and recognizes exceptional diagnostic challenges.
• Provides quality patient care when receiving, explaining the procedure, and positioning the patients.
• Meets the requirements set forth in RQI for BLS. Accurately operates mammography imaging equipment to obtain screening mammography, diagnostic mammography, digital breast tomosynthesis, and breast ultrasound examinations of acceptable quality, utilizing the least amount of radiation to obtain quality imaging for diagnosis and localization purposes.
• Performs all aspects of Mammography imaging to include all breast imaging examinations including QA, mammography, ultrasound, and interventional procedures of the breast. Confers Supervisory DRT, Radiologists and Lead Interpreting Physician on more difficult problems.
• Cleans/disinfects the equipment between patients consistent with manufacturer instructions and facility infection control policies.
• Stocks room with supplies needed to perform examinations and provide emergency treatments.
• Assists with interventional breast biopsy exams utilizing surgical sterile techniques. Interventional breast procedures performed may include, but are not limited to, biopsies, localizations, aspirations, and contrast studies.
• RME-Cleaning of Reusable Medical Equipment: Compliance with RME cleaning according to policy and manufacturer's guidelines.
• Ensures and maintains compliance with all QC and QA requirements as per VHA policy, FDA/MQSA regulations, and ACR accreditation standards.
• Completes electronic patient procedure logs and archival of image data to Picture Archiving Communication System (PACS).
• Adheres to radiation safety guidelines, properly determines applying technical factors to ensure ALARA dose optimization, positioning, required views, etc., to produce and satisfy requirements for diagnostic imaging and mammography exams.
• Reviews the mammography orders, screening information for accuracy, noting and researching all questionable information prior to contacting the patient or performing the exam.
• Apply safety procedures for self, patients and others as mandated by Radiology Service Safety policies for all imaging modalities.
• Responsible for minor equipment adjustments, repairs, and exercises care in the handling and safeguarding of all equipment. Incumbents will check equipment for proper function prior to performing procedures.

Work Schedule: Mon-Fri; 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact , the EDRP Coordinator for questions at V19RMNHRSBULiaisonsOK@va.govns/assistance. Learn more
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)
Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.
Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.
Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 61351A
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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). 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).]

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:

Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist, GS-9

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.

The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical Knowledge, Skills, and Assessments and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment-specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*):

• *Ability to balance the needs of patients and staff while still performing complex scans and procedures.
• Knowledge of techniques for gathering relevant information from the medical record, significant others, and health care providers.
• *Ability to assess factors that may contraindicate the procedure.
• Knowledge of basic first aid and basic life support practices related to radiography.
• Knowledge of physical assessment, aseptic techniques, intravenous methods and techniques and universal precautions.
• Knowledge of pre-procedural, procedural, and post-procedural care of patients.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The grade for this position is above full performance level as the GS-12.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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/.

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.