Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist -Lead Mammography Technologist

Veterans Health Administration • Salt Lake City, UT

25d • Onsite

About The Position

The Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist serves as the Lead Mammography Technologist in the facility or on the mobile mammography bus. The technologist works independently, without direct supervision, and coordinates mammography exams and procedures to maintain efficient workflow and expedite patient care. Duties include scheduling patients, maintaining information in the mammography reporting system, and supporting the section’s quality assurance program.

The role performs quality control in accordance with vendor guidance and FDA/MQSA, ACR, and VHA requirements; prepares and maintains compliance documents and reports; submits required updates and images for ACR accreditation; and maintains credentialing records for radiologists, technologists, and physicists. The technologist assists with management reports, equipment troubleshooting, image transfers, and special procedures such as needle localization, cyst aspiration, and core biopsy.

Patient-care responsibilities include explaining exams and potential hazards, taking and documenting patient histories, verifying patient and image identification and laterality, applying radiation safeguards and ALARA principles, educating patients, and modifying procedures to accommodate individual medical conditions and body habitus. The position also processes and manages exam orders in the radiology information system and sends lay summary letters after radiologist reporting. Driving is required, and the employee must maintain a current, valid state driver’s license. The work schedule provides rotating 24/7 coverage, including weekends, holidays, and on-call duty. Telework is not available.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Current certification in general radiologic technology by ARRT (R).
• Advanced ARRT certification in Mammography (M) for independently performed mammography duties.
• Completion of a full-time diagnostic radiologic technology training program of at least 24 months, or equivalent, evidenced by a certificate or associate degree from a JRCERT-accredited program or another DOE-recognized accrediting agency.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Current, valid driver’s license.
• At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, directly related to the position.
• Demonstrated ability to provide technical oversight, assign personnel and tasks, and use staffing effectively to complete workload and support patient care.
• Ability to plan, direct, and distribute work assignments to lower-grade diagnostic radiologic technologists.
• Skill in instructing and training technologists on newly acquired equipment.
• Ability to plan and project staffing needs.
• Skill in independently performing general and specialized diagnostic radiologic procedures in advanced, complex treatment situations.
• Must meet applicable pre-employment requirements, including background/security investigation, pre-employment physical examination, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
• Must complete the required application and onboarding documentation and serve the applicable one- or two-year trial period.

Nice To Haves

• One year at the next lowest grade, GS-8, performing mammography examinations.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and perform mammography exams and procedures independently, maintaining effective workflow and expediting patient care.
• Schedule patients and maintain patient information in the mammography reporting system.
• Assist in developing and maintaining the mammography quality assurance program.
• Perform quality control procedures according to vendor guidance and FDA/MQSA, ACR, and VHA requirements.
• Prepare and maintain mammography documents and reports to support regulatory and accreditation compliance.
• Submit required ACR updates and mammography images and documents for accreditation renewal every three years.
• Keep examination and work rooms clean, neat, and stocked with supplies.
• Assist with management briefing reports, including repeat/reject image analyses, annual audits, and quarterly credentialing qualification reports.
• Assist radiologists with special examinations and procedures, including needle localization, cyst aspiration, and core biopsy.
• Monitor equipment through quality-control procedures, troubleshoot issues, and suggest repairs or adjustments.
• Assist with incoming and outgoing mammography image studies provided on CD for continued care.
• Maintain records and tracking mechanisms, including credentialing records for radiologists, technologists, and physicists.
• Explain examinations and potential hazards to patients in understandable terms and provide patient education.
• Receive and interpret breast imaging requests; enter radiology information into computer systems; process, register, cancel, and edit exams through the RIS.
• Validate and send lay summary letters to patients after a radiologist reports the mammogram.
• Verify patient identity, image identification, laterality, positioning, and consistency with the imaging request.
• Use appropriate dosage techniques and radiation safeguards, practicing ALARA.
• Ensure thorough patient histories are documented and forwarded to radiologists.
• Modify exams or procedures as needed for patients’ medical conditions and body habitus.
• Drive as required for the position and maintain a current, valid state driver’s license.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility and approval, with a potential award of up to $200,000 over an eligibility period of one to five years.
• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits depend on position eligibility.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual for qualifying prior federal or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Associate degree