Lead Diagnostic Radiology Technician (Mammography)

Indian Health Service; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Phoenix Indian Medical Center, part of the Indian Health Service, seeks a Lead Mammography Technician to lead the mammography program. You will oversee QA, ensure accreditation, and implement state-of-the-art breast imaging strategies to reduce health risks from breast cancer.

You will guide staff, coordinate with radiologists, and support complex procedures such as needle localizations and biopsies while maintaining strict sterile technique and patient safety standards.

Qualifications

• ARRT certification in Radiography (R) and CT as required.
• Experience overseeing mammography quality assurance and program compliance.
• Ability to supervise staff and coordinate with radiologists.

Responsibilities

• Oversee, perform, and ensure quality assurance for all mammography services.
• Supervise Mammography Technologists and ensure accreditation requirements are met.
• Support needle localizations, biopsies, and other procedures as needed.
• Develop breast imaging protocols and manage breast health data.

Skills

Mammography

Quality assurance

Staff supervision

Tomosynthesis

Education

ARRT certification (Radiography)

Tools

Mammography equipment

Job description

Summary

This position is located in the Radiology Department-Mammography section, at Phoenix Indian Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Incumbent performs as the Lead Certified Diagnostic Mammography Technologist. Incumbent performs and monitors quality assurance and optimal performance of the Mammography program. Incumbent applies state of the art strategies to reduce health risks associated with breast cancer.

REAL ID requirements

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

Duties

Lead Mammography Technician

• Applies in-depth knowledge of principles and techniques of mammography to perform screening diagnostic, and invasive mammography with accuracy, precision, and high quality. This includes overseeing, performing and being responsible for all technical requirements and quality assurance measures as required by the FDA, ACR, Mammography Quality Standards Reauthorization Act of 1998 (MQSA), and other mammography accrediting agencies, as well as the overall cleanliness and organization of the mammography suite and associated equipment.
• Oversee technical competency of staff Mammography Technologist and ensure accreditation requirements are met for standard and specialized views and tomosynthesis in mammography. Assists radiologist (or other qualified health care provider) in performance of needle localizations, cyst aspirations, needle biopsies, and other rapidly developing areas of mammography, as needed. Assures and adheres to sterile techniques. Performs post-operative specimen exams of breast biopsies and post-stereotactic biopsy images.
• Interprets examination requests accurately; recognizes mammograms which illustrate the lesion and develops them through control of contrast, density, etc., to optimize their clarity for diagnostic use; and recognizes when additional scans or different positions are needed to fully illustrate the lesion.
• Independently determines the need for compression views, magnification views or other standard/ specialized views, as outlines in departmental policy.

Breast Cancer Screening Case Management and Outreach

• Plans, develops, implements, maintains, and evaluates a comprehensive program designed to promote breast cancer screening. Performs overall case management of all breast health problems, including tracking of abnormal results from breast cancer screening tests. This will involve maintaining records of every abnormal result, and ensuring that appropriate and timely follow-up is obtained. This will require health record audits, meticulous record keeping and professional staff interface. Plays key role in follow-up of patients and outcome analysis in conjunction with the radiologist and/or other departments, as required by the FDA and/or its certified agents.
• Develops breast imaging protocols, in conjunction with the supervising Radiologist.
• Maintains appropriate databases for the planning, development, and evaluation of a comprehensive breast health case management system. Identifies and stimulates the adoption of specific measures for strengthening, and improving the quality of breast health data.
• Establishes contacts to provide and receive information in order to stimulate the overall understanding, coordination and support for a cooperative effort to encourage breast cancer screening.
• Develops and maintains working relationship with appropriate agencies, individuals, and public private groups concerned with breast cancer prevention and control.
• Complies with Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) targets for mammography as measured up against the performance targets set in the Plan.

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 is a competitive vacancy announcement advertised under Direct Hire Authority.

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.

IHS Selectees whose duties and responsibilities require them to work permanently, temporarily, or occasionally in an IHS healthcare facility must comply with the IHS Employee Immunization Policy related to vaccine-preventable diseases, consistent with recommendations for healthcare workers. Vaccine exemption requests may be available, as outlined in the IHS Employee Immunization Policy and facility guidance.

The selected individual is required to obtain and maintain medical staff clinical privileges, including any licensure requirements. If privileges are not obtained or maintained during employment, the employee will be subject to adverse actions, up to and including removal from Federal service.

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

This position requires the successful completion of a federal background investigation as a condition of employment.

A background investigation is a standard process used by the Federal Government to verify an individual's identity, employment history, education, and other relevant information to determine suitability for Federal service.

Upon receipt of instructions, applicants must complete all required background investigation forms within five (5) calendar days of issuance. Timely completion is critical to avoid delays in processing or a determination of unsuitability.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to prioritize this requirement and to maintain regular communication with their assigned Personnel Security Specialist throughout the process.

Prior to the appointment, candidates must present two valid forms of identification. If one of the documents 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)

General Schedule Qualification Standards - Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist Series 0647

Note

Public Law 97-35 requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75. Essentially, they must (1) have successfully completed an educational program that meets or exceeds the standards described in that regulation, and its 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.

Specialized Experience

• Experience in the operation of 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 and Selective Placement Factor stated below.

Minimum Qualifications, Gs-0647-10

Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: operating radiology and mammography equipment for the use of diagnostic imaging including, interpretation of quality assurance for equipment and imaging studies; execution of radiographic and mammography studies as ordered by providers; and appropriate follow up on abnormal study results with coordination of additional studies as required for regulatory compliance.

Selective Placement Factor

• Must be registered and certified with the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) in both Radiography (R) and Computerized Tomography (CT). Applicants must provide a copy of certification with application.

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 believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire CompetencyBased Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the 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), National Health Service Corps (NHSC), And The Health Resources And Services Administration (HRSA) 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/

For HRSA Nurse Corps - https://bhw.hrsa.gov/loansscholarships/nursecorps

This position has no promotion potential.

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

Application Essay Questions

• 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?
• How would you help advance the President's Executive Orders and policy priorities in this role?
• 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. Opens in a new windowLearn 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.