Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist-Lead Mammography Technologist

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.

The art patient care facility with comprehensive & complex radiographic & imaging programs. SLCVAMC with multiple Community Based Outpatient Clinics, providing tertiary care in Medicine, Surgery, Neurology, Mental Health, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, ER Medicine, Surgical & Medical Subspecialties.

• Operates a variety of complex Radiographic equipment both mobile & fixed & must perform a variety of routine and very difficult radiographic examinations as well as routine screening mammography studies.
• Analyzes, & sets proper technical factors, positions patient, & makes the exposures necessary for the requested procedures.
• Assists the radiologist in a variety of difficult & sometime sterile fluoroscopic procedures in the OR and pain Clinic, monitor & complete mammography specific QA and QC processes under the directions of the Food & Drug Administration (FDA)/Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA), American College of Radiology (ACR), & VHA directives. .
• Operates independently & without direct supervision as the technologist responsible for the performance & coordination of all mammography exams & procedures.
• Maintains effective workflow in the mammography section by coordinating, planning, organizing & executing appropriate patient breast imaging studies, procedures, & referrals to expedite patient care.
• Assists the Diagnostic Radiology Supervisor & Radiology Leadership in creating, implementing, collecting, critiquing & preparing mammography documents & reports with current data to ensure compliance with FDA/MQSA, ACR, & VHA mandates.
• Submits mammography images and required documents every 3 years to ACR accreditation for renewal.
• Assists Radiologist in the performance of special examinations & procedures such as needle localization, cyst aspiration, & stereo-tactic core biopsy.
• Troubleshoots equipment by monitoring the daily, weekly, & quarterly QC procedures & provides suggestions about repairs &/or adjustments.
• Assists with incoming & outgoing mammography image studies provided on CD for continued care.
• Dispatching CDs & reports to outside providers.
• Performs all duties in the Mammography department.
• Operates independently & without direct supervision as the technologist responsible for the performance and coordination of all mammography exams and procedures.
• Responsible for explaining exams to patients in terms the patient will comprehend as well as understanding potential hazards. May be required by procedure or patient's condition to monitor vital signs, recognize allergic reactions & initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
• Receives & interprets breast imaging requests. Inputs pertinent radiology information into computer systems.
• Responsible for processing orders, registering, canceling & editing exams via the computer radiology information system (RIS).
• Validates and sends lay summary letter to each patient once the mammogram has been reported by a radiologist and communicates consults as needed.
• Maintains all Breast Imaging - Reporting and Data Systems (Bl-RADS) reports as mandated utilizing MRS and other systems.
• Properly identifies patient images, laterality, and position. Ensure images, identification and imaging request match.
• Thorough knowledge of radiation protection standards, devices, techniques, concepts of accumulated dosage, genetic changes, and effects of radiation on living organisms.
• Ensure proper dosage techniques to minimize radiation exposure, utilize radiation safeguards by practicing ALARA.
• Wear personal dose badge when in the exposure rooms & safeguard badge by storing with the control badge.

Work Schedule: Rotating days, nights, weekends and holidays.
Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized.
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized.
EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact V19RMNHRSBUSLC@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/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) & 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 #: 61547O.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.

VA Careers - Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist: https://youtube.com/embed/I-4ku5UMvWM
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**This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until 12/31/2026.The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be 11/18/2026. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled.**

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.
• English Language Proficiency. DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d).
• 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 2 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).
• Creditable Experience-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.

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.
Assignments: For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. DRTs at this grade level may be appointed to one of the following assignments:
Lead Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist: Functions as a lead DRT for a group of DRTs at the full performance level and below, providing input on performance, resolving daily workplace issues, and maintaining efficient workflow. Provides a full range of general radiologic imaging exams, has a general knowledge of the different modalities within the diagnostic radiologic area, and is accountable to the next higher-level supervisor. The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs:

1. 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.
2. Ability to plan, direct, and distribute work assignments to DRTs at lower grade levels.
3. Skill in instructing and training DRTs on newly acquired equipment.
4. Ability to plan and project staffing needs.
5. Skill to independently perform general and specialized diagnostic radiologic procedures in advanced levels of complex treatmentsituations.

Preferred Experience: 1 year at the next lowest grade level performing mammography examinations

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

Physical Requirements: work requires long periods of standing and walking up to 8 hours. There is repeated bending, pushing / pulling, reaching above shoulders, use of both hands (hands and fingers), twisting and carrying of moderately heavy articles weighing from 15-44 pounds such as multiple cassettes, grids, as well as wearing lead aprons. Movement of moderately heavy equipment is generally power assisted such as portable machines. Positioning of patients who are disabled may require considerable effort and working in awkward positions. Heavy lifting of incapacitated patients is done only with help of other employees and devices (i.e. EZMAT) or patient lift devices provided by the Radiology Section. Near vision correctable at 13 inches to 16 inches to Jaeger 1- 4 and far vision correctable in one eye to 20/50 and to 20/100 in the other is acceptable. Hearing aids are permitted. DRTs must display emotional and mental stability.
Must possess and maintain a current, valid state driver's license

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/.

• 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.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation/examination.
• 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.