MAMMOGRAPHY TECHNOLOGIST, SPECIAL PROCEDURES

Los Angeles County (CA)•Los Angeles, CA

62d

About The Position

The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (DHS) is the second largest municipal health system in the nation. Through its unified system of 23 health centers and four hospitals - and expanded network of community partner clinics - DHS annually provides direct care for over 500,000 outstanding patients, employs over 23,000 staff, and has an annual budget of over $8.4 billion. For additional information regarding DHS please visit www.dhs.lacounty.gov. Through academic affiliations with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), the University of Southern California (USC), and the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Sciences (CDU), DHS hospitals are training sites for physicians completing their Graduate Medical Education in nearly every medical specialty and subspecialty. In addition, to its direct clinical services, DHS also runs the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Agency and the County's 911 emergency response system, as well as Housing for Health and the Office of Diversion and Re-entry, each with a critical role in connecting vulnerable populations, including those released from correctional and institutional settings to supportive housing. MISSION: To advance the health of our patients and our communities by providing extraordinary care. DEFINITION: Under general direction, performs screening mammograms as well as highly specialized diagnostic mammography tests and assists physicians during specialized breast procedures.

Requirements

One year of experience at the level of a certified Mammography Technologist.
Experience at the level of Mammography Technologist performs digital screenings and diagnostic mammograms on all age groups for patients in a clinical and/or hospital setting and performs other related work as required.
Certification as a Radiologic Technologist (CRT) issued by the State of California, Department of Public Health -AND- Mammographic Certificate issued by the State of California Department of Public Health/Radiologic Health Branch.
A current certification in accordance with the American Heart Associate's Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers (CPR & AED) Program.
A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.
PHYSICAL CLASS III - Moderate: This class requires that the incumbent stand or walk most of the time with bending, stooping, squatting, twisting, reaching, working on irregular surfaces, occasional lifting of objects weighing over 25 pounds, and frequent lifting of 10-25 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Post certified Mammography Technologist experience assisting physicians (radiologist, surgeons, and other specialists) in performing image guided diagnostic and invasive procedures (e.g., stereotactic biopsy, MRI breast biopsies, needle localization, galactograms).
Venipuncture Certificate

Responsibilities

Assists physicians (radiologist, surgeons, and other specialists) in performing image guided diagnostic and invasive breast procedures (e.g. stereotactic biopsy, MRI breast biopsies, needle localization, galactograms).
Receives and reviews physician's request for mammography procedure and identifies the patient per department policy. Reviews brief breast health history and confirms correct study is ordered and performed.
Performs screening and diagnostic mammography.
Checks the operation of equipment daily and reports malfunction to a supervisor immediately.
Sets up examination room, materials and equipment including selection of appropriate grids, collimators, cassettes, compression paddles, syringes, contrast media, and catheters specified in equipment and procedure manuals.
Operates mammographic and tomographic units.
Selects and computes machine settings to compensate for such variances as patient size, age, sex, implants, and tissue density.
Selects proper compression paddle, positions equipment at proper angle, and applies appropriate compression to breast.
Positions the patient accurately when the patient cannot be moved, deviates from basic positioning guidelines by angulating the X-ray tube and the detector to avoid injury, discomfort, pain, or intruding the sterile field during procedures.
Elicits the cooperation of patients by explaining the procedure and attempts to comfort those who fear mammographic examinations by providing assurance.
Evaluates patient's condition and applies immobilizing devices when the patient is unable to cooperate for proper positioning.
Uses equipment and lead shields, such as thyroid shields and aprons, in accordance with State requirements for radiation protection purposes.
Provides technical guidance in the clinical training of new mammography technologists and students.
Orients new personnel to the mammography department.
Processes and completes procedures in the electronic health record and the mammography reporting system.
Assists with patient tracking.
Performs and documents quality control per Mammography Quality Standards Act requirements on a weekly, monthly, and quarterly basis and reports any malfunction or variation to the mammography manager, maintenance, or service provider.
Audits processing sensitometry records and other equipment/accessory quality control data for compliance with policy and trends/problem identification.
Verifies and confirms proper archiving of images in the Picture Archiving and Communication System.
Performs other duties as assigned.