Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (Mammography)

Indian Health Service; Santa Fe (NM); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Indian Health Service in Santa Fe, NM seeks a Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist to perform mammography and general radiography, supporting breast cancer screening and timely diagnosis in a collaborative healthcare setting.

The role requires strict adherence to MQSA, patient safety, and federal employment standards. Two forms of ID and E-Verify are required, and successful candidates must pass a background investigation.

Qualifications

• Experience operating screening and diagnostic mammography equipment.
• Ability to position patients for diagnostic-quality images while minimizing exposure.
• Knowledge of MQSA and patient safety procedures.

Responsibilities

• Perform screening and diagnostic mammography examinations.
• Position patients to obtain diagnostic-quality images while minimizing radiation exposure.
• Assist with quality control activities, including equipment checks and documentation.
• Maintain examination records and mammography documentation requirements.

Skills

Mammography

Radiologic procedures

Quality control

Job description

Summary

Join the Indian Health Service (IHS) as a Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist and provide essential x‑ray and mammography services that support timely diagnosis, breast cancer screening, and quality patient care. This position offers the opportunity to use both general radiography and specialized mammography skills while serving patients in a collaborative healthcare environment.

A REAL ID will be required beginning May 7, 2025, in accordance with 6 C.F.R. 37.5 (2021)

Duties

• Performing screening and diagnostic mammography examinations using specialized imaging equipment.
• Positioning patients to obtain diagnostic‑quality mammography images while minimizing radiation exposure.
• Assisting with quality control activities, including equipment checks and documentation.
• Maintaining examination records and complying with mammography documentation requirements.

Requirements

Conditions of employment
Selectee may be subject to a probationary period
U.S. Citizenship is required
Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
This vacancy is advertised under Direct Hire Authority, with selections processed as new appointments to the civil service. For current civil service employees, benefits, time served, and other Federal entitlements will remain unchanged.
This is a designated position covered by Public Law 101‑630, requiring contact or control over Indian children. Due to this requirement, the agency must ensure that persons hired for these positions have not been found guilty of or pleaded nolo contendere or guilty to certain crimes.
Selectees must comply with the IHS Employee Immunization Policy. Exemptions may be available in accordance with agency policy.
Successfully pass the E‑Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E‑Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify/.
You will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you.

Background Investigation Requirement

Successful completion of a federal background investigation is required as a condition of employment. Applicants must complete all required forms within five (5) calendar days of receiving instructions. Failure to do so may delay processing or result in a determination of unsuitability. Applicants should maintain communication with their assigned Personnel Security Specialist throughout the process.

Financial Suitability Requirement

This position requires a review of the applicant's financial history as part of the personnel security and suitability determination. Applicants must demonstrate financial responsibility, maintain good standing with creditors, and satisfy all legal financial obligations prior to applying. Individuals with substantial delinquent or unresolved financial obligations‑including, but not limited to, delinquent federal or state tax liabilities, defaulted federal student loans, court‑ordered fines or fees, or child support arrears‑may be deemed unsuitable for employment with the Indian Health Service (IHS).

Prior to appointment, candidates must present two valid forms of identification. If one document is a state‑issued ID or driver’s license, it must be REAL ID‑compliant.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part time experience. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

BASIC REQUIREMENT(S)

Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR): Public Law 97‑35 Requires That Persons Who Administer Radiologic Procedures Meet The Credentialing Standards In 42 CFR Part 75. Essentially, Applicants Must (l) Have Successfully Completed An Educational Program That Meets Or Exceeds The Standards Described In That Regulation And Is Accredited By An Organization Recognized By The Department Of Education, And (2) be Certified As Radiographers In Their Field. The Following Meet These Requirements:

• Persons employed by the Federal Government as radiologic personnel prior to the effective date of the regulation (January 13, 1986) who show evidence of current or fully satisfactory performance or certification of such from a licensed practitioner such as a doctor of medicine, osteopathy, dentistry, podiatry, or chiropractic who prescribes radiologic procedures to others.
• Persons first employed by the Federal Government as radiologic personnel after the effective date of the regulation who (a) received training from institutions in a State or foreign jurisdiction that did not accredit training in that particular field at the time of graduation, or (b) practiced in a State or foreign jurisdiction that did not license that particular field or did not allow special eligibility to take a licensure examination for those who did not graduate from an accredited educational program, provided that such persons show evidence of training, experience, and competence as determined by OPM or the employing agency.

In addition to the IOR, all applicants must meet one of the following requirements:

• Specialized Experience: Experience operating diagnostic radiology equipment under the direction of radiologists or other medical officers to produce radiographic studies used in medical diagnosis and treatment.
• OR Education and Training: Qualifying educational programs for radiography and radiation therapy technology are available in accredited colleges, universities, hospitals, medical schools, or postsecondary technical or vocational schools. Education or training from programs based in hospitals must have been from those hospitals that were accredited at the time of the education or training by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals or by the American Osteopathic Association.

In addition, to the Basic Requirements, you must also meet the Minimum Qualifications stated below

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

GS-08:

Applicant(s) must meet the following minimum qualification requirements:
Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS‑07 grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: Performing screening and diagnostic mammography examinations using specialized imaging equipment; Positioning patients to obtain diagnostic‑quality mammography images while minimizing radiation exposure; Assisting with quality control activities, including equipment checks and documentation; Following established mammography imaging protocols and patient safety procedures; Explaining mammography procedures and ensuring patient comfort, dignity, and privacy; Maintaining examination records and complying with mammography documentation requirements.

GS-09:

• Experience: Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS‑08 grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: Independently performing the full range of screening and diagnostic mammography examinations; Positioning patients and adapting imaging techniques for patients with implants, surgical changes, trauma, or limited mobility; Performing mammography quality control procedures, maintaining quality assurance records, and ensuring compliance with Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA), FDA, and accreditation requirements; Evaluating image quality and coordinating with radiologists to obtain additional diagnostic views when indicated; Educating patients regarding mammography procedures, breast health, and follow‑up care; Following radiation safety, infection prevention, and patient safety practices while providing mammography services.
• OR Education: Successfully completed two full years (36 semester hours) of graduate level education directly related to the work of the position.
• OR Combination of Education and Experience: Combination of education and experience that when combined fully meet the minimum qualifications for this position. Only graduate level education in excess of the first 18 semester hours is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirement.

You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement.

Education

This position has an education requirement. You are strongly encouraged to submit a copy of your transcripts or a list of your courses including titles, credit hours completed, and grades. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in the application package. Official transcripts will be required from all selectees prior to receiving an official offer. Only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education may be credited. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: https://www.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

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you have a disability covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, that may interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you may request an RA in your online application. Your request and supporting documentation must be received before you begin the assessments. RA requests are considered on a case‑by‑case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be notified of the RA decision and receive an email invitation to complete the assessments, as applicable. If the assessment link is received after the announcement closes, you must complete all assessments within48 hours of receiving the link. For additional information, see Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. (https://appsupport-usastaffing.opm.gov/hc/en-us/sections/45063131363475-Reasonable-Accommodation-Information)

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. IHS may offer newly‑appointed Federal employees credit for their directly related previous non‑federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave.

This position is covered by a Bargaining Unit.

Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized. At least a 1‑Year service agreement will be required.

The Indian Health Service (IHS) And National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Have Student Loan Repayment Programs For Qualifying Health Disciplines. This Is a Competitive Process Separate From The Hiring Process. Opportunities For LRP Are Based On Agency Hiring Priorities And Availability Of Funds. For Additional Information Please Visit:

For IHS - http://www.ihs.gov/loanrepayment/

For NHSC - https://nhsc.hrsa.gov/loanrepayment/

This position has promotion potential to the GS-GS‑9 grade level. Promotion to the next grade level is at management's discretion and is based on your demonstrated ability to perform the higher-level duties, continuing need for the higher-level duties, and "Regulatory/Administrative" approval. Promotion to the next higher grade level is not guaranteed and no promise of promotion is implied.

You will be evaluated for this position in accordance with the OPM Merit Hiring Plan.

Application Essay Prompts

• How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal government?
• In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness?
• In this role, you will be expected to professionally and efficiently implement executive direction. Provide an example where you implemented leadership direction on a strategy or policy decision that differed from your own recommendation.
• How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional, academic or personal achievements?
• Your responses are optional and will not be scored.
• However, they may be reviewed by hiring managers and agency leadership (or designees) during the evaluation process.
• You will be asked to certify that your responses are written in your own words and that you did not use a consultant or artificial intelligence (AI) tool (such as ChatGPT or Copilot).

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Learn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full‑time, part‑time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.