Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist - Mammography

The Mammography Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist performs very difficult and highly specialized radiographic examinations of the breast (mammography) utilizing a variety of specialized procedures that require precise positioning and produces quality results. They operate independently and without direct supervision as the technologist responsible for the performance and coordination of all mammography procedures and performs screening and diagnostic mammography examinations.

Duties include but are not limited too:

• Providing education, support, and continuity of care for patients undergoing diagnosis and management of breast abnormalities.
• Working closely with the breast imaging radiology team from the point the biopsy is recommended, scheduled, performed, to their surgical treatment and any additional treatments as needed.
• Assist in the coordination of care directed by the breast imaging radiologist, patient's providers and assist in scheduling of tests.
• Acts as physician or technologist liaison with internal and outside facility interactions.
• Assists breast imaging radiologists during interventional breast procedures as needed.
• Communicates results of procedures with the patients, answers patient questions knowledgably and helps facilitate next step of patient care after consultation with the radiologist.
• Serves as a clinical liaison for newly diagnosed breast cancer patient.
• Capable of utilizing an on-line breast cancer risk assessment model to determine life-time risk of breast cancer to help triage need for additional screening modalities.
• Acts as a patient advocate, educates and provides emotional support to newly diagnosed breast cancer patients throughout the process of treatment and recovery.
• Evaluates practice of self and others against standards of practice and relevant regulations (i.e., The Joint Commission, MQSA, OHSA, professional organizations, etc.) and takes action to improve compliance.
• Maintains pathology results from biopsies utilizing the mammography tracking software.
• Collaborates with Chief of Breast Imaging and Supervisor Breast Imaging to plan, develop, implement, market, and evaluate new or expanded programs and services.
• Provides pre and post procedure patient education.
• Assists radiologist in advanced/complex interventional procedures.

Total Rewards: Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm
Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized.
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized.
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).
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)
Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.
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 #: 688-270117-F
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).
• 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).
• Advanced Certification. 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.]
• 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:

Advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist, GS-10

Specialized 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.

Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (*GS-9) directly related to the position being filled that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level.

*Examples of GS-09 experience include, but are not limited to: 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.


Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs:

• Knowledge of radiation protection standards, devices and techniques, including concepts of accumulated dosage, dose monitoring, and genetic changes.
• 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.
• Knowledge of basic physics including concepts of energy, electric power, magnetic fields, and properties of x-ray, to understand the operation of the equipment.
• Knowledge and skill in positioning of patients for a wide variety of highly complex imaging (CT, MRI, IR, ultrasound, mammography) studies.

Preferred Experience:

• Breast Imaging Navigation Certification by National Consortium of Breast Centers.
• Experience with ACR accreditations, FDA/MQSA inspections and Breast Procedures.

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-10.

Physical Requirements: The technologist will perform Imaging studies while standing and will be required to make trips to the patient waiting room, in order to call the patient for their exam. There may be some standing, bending, and carrying of light items, such as carrying paperwork, utilizing the mobile Xray machine, and utilizing the C arm in the Operation Room. This requires repositioning of the camera during an OR procedure or during a portable Xray completed on the unit. No special physical demands are required to perform the work. This position requires moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds, moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds, pushing (1 hour), reaching above shoulders, use of fingers, both hands required, walking (2 hours), standing (2 hours), both legs required (one may be compensated by prosthetic), ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, hearing (aid permitted), other (PH code). Position requires long periods of standing and walking, some bending, lifting, and carrying of moderately heavy items. Requires considerable effort and working in awkward positions. Ability to reach above shoulder required. Both hands and use of fingers required. Must be able to lift, carry and move heavy equipment/patients routinely.

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.