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Summary This position is located in the Diagnostics & Therapeutics (D&T) Service Line at the Stratton VA Medical Center in Albany, New York. The Advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist/Mammography Technologist has the overall responsibility for the coordination and performance of all exams performed in the Mammography Section. Responsibilities The duties and responsibilities of the Advanced DRT/ Mammography Technologist include but are not limited to the following: a. The technologist will independently operate mammography equipment to obtain examinations of high quality and provide feedback and follow-up to the supervisor and/or lead interpreting physician and biomedical staff. This includes but is not limited to independently performing screening mammography, diagnostic mammography, appropriate supplemental procedures tumor localization procedures, stereotactic procedures, ultrasound and/or other imaging guided biopsies. b. The technologist will coordinate ultrasound and other breast imaging needs based on report recommendations of the radiologists. The incumbent will also coordinate and provide support for the referral of patients for follow-up exams to and from Non-VA facilities. The Advanced DRT tech will interface and provide data to support the cancer care committee, tumor registry, women's health program and other committees to help assure continuity of care. c. The technologist has the knowledge of basic physics including concepts of energy, electric power, magnetic fields, and properties of x-ray, to understand the operation of the equipment. d. The technologist has the knowledge of radiation protection standards, devices and techniques, including concepts of accumulated dosage, dose monitoring, and genetic changes. e. The technologist will assist other technologists when needed. The technologist will be responsible for adequate training of other technologists when appropriate and as instructed by the lead interpreting physician and/or supervisor. f. The technologist will be responsible for overseeing the quality of all breast imaging procedures and providing appropriate feedback to other technologists as well as assisting with corrective actions to other breast imaging technologists when appropriate and as instructed by the lead interpreting physician and/or supervisor. g. The technologist will demonstrate the ability to resolve informal employee and patient complaints at the lowest possible level, ensuring appropriate action and follow up. h. The technologist will be fully competent in reviewing the workflow, addressing delays by making staffing adjustments as needed to ensure optimum patient care. The incumbent must be able to articulate their findings to the Lead Interpreting Physician, administrative staff, and/or supervisor as needed. For staffing adjustments, the technologist must obtain the approval and direction of the Lead Interpreting Physician. i. When schedule allows, the Advanced DRT tech will help in outpatient and inpatient diagnostic radiographic exams section, either assisting in directing workflow or completing routine or STAT exams, to help in delivering services to our Veterans. j. 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 allays the patients concern and promotes the need for periodic patient self-examinations. k. To obtain images of sufficiently high quality most useful to the interpreting radiologist, the technologist must evaluate the patient body habitus based on the patient's age, size, condition of skin (placing markers if indicated), contravening disabilities and previous breast augmentation or surgeries to determine proper exposure technique settings. The technologist must also evaluate the patient to determine the most effective method communications with the patient. l. Ensures standardization of breast imaging methodologies, reviewing all data, oversees repeat testing before calling the medical physicist, and confers with the radiologists. m. Prepares the patient in terms of procedure instructions, prepares the breast site for injection of contrast materials, harvesting of tissues under sterile conditions, and prepares sterile tray in anticipating the arrival of the radiologist. n. As required by local or national VHA policy, attempts to obtain previous mammograms from the indicated facility as specified by the patient. Incumbent maintains accurate records through the women's veteran program and hospital computer system. And other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30a-4:00p Functional Statement #: 23644-O Requirements Conditions of Employment 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. You may be required to serve a trial period. 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 dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Qualifications 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:Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. 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). Grade Determinations: Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist, GS-10 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 11 incumbent at least 25% of the time. DRTs at this grade level may be appointed to one of the following assignments: Advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist. Employees are trained to work in one or more difficult and complex modalities performing procedures related to these modalities as well as performing general diagnostic procedures. At this grade level, any assignment in a single modality must demonstrate significant complexity. Such assignments are unique, perhaps with expert specialization in complex areas of radiologic technology, Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) regulations, and intermediate QM type duties within the program. The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs: i. Knowledge of radiation protection standards, devices and techniques, including concepts of accumulated dosage, dose monitoring, and genetic changes. ii. 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. iii. Knowledge of basic physics including concepts of energy, electric power, magnetic fields, and properties of x-ray, to understand the operation of the equipment. iv. Knowledge and skill in positioning of patients for a wide variety of highly complex imaging (CT, MRI, IR, ultrasound, mammography) studies.] Specialized Assignments. 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. This position requires ARRT Certification in Mammography. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is 08. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. 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/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act. The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act (or the Act) prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from requesting applicant criminal history record information before extending a conditional or tentative offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S.C § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Act, may submit a written complaint within 30 calendar days of the date of the alleged non-compliance to VA at [email protected]. Applicant written complaints should include the following: - Administration name: Veterans Health Administration (VHA) - Office name, employee name and contact information or contractor who made contact (if known). - Date of contact. - Details regarding the job opportunity announcement applied to, and copies of any documents or other evidence related to the complaint. Visit Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO) (va.gov) for more information.