Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist-Picture Archival Communication System (PACS)

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Orlando (FL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 82,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation incentive

Job summary

US Department of Veterans Affairs in Orlando is seeking a PACS Technologist (GS-11) to provide planning, guidance, and troubleshooting for all aspects of the PACS operation. The role involves digital image processing, storage, and display, with a focus on system administration and training.

Applicants must have ARRT radiography certification and ideally advanced ARRT for CT/MRI/Mammography. A 24-month post-high school program in radiologic technology is required; relocation incentives may be

Qualifications

• Knowledge of contingency plans during equipment downtimes
• Ability to act as liaison for Radiology with biomedical engineering and OI&T
• Ability to develop methods and programs to evaluate, monitor, and maintain digital imaging and voice recognition systems
• Ability to lead a team of multidisciplinary members in accomplishing strategic planning and integration of PACS and network elements
• Ability to perform complex system administrator functions such as RIS links, AE titles, user/group creation and access management
• Knowledge of VA and other national guidelines pertaining to PACS network, VistA imaging, and database security
• Knowledge of imaging procedures to perform and reconcile image information during post processing

Responsibilities

• Provide planning, guidance, instruction, maintenance, and troubleshooting for PACS operations
• Support operation and management of digital image processing, storage, and display
• Train radiologists, technologists, and clients in PACS/VistA imaging systems
• Coordinate contingency plans during equipment downtimes and repair requests with services/vendors
• Oversee PACS display hardware, speech recognition hardware, and related imaging hardware

Skills

Contingency planning during downtime

Liaison with Biomedical Engineering/OI

Develop methods to evaluate imaging/dB

Lead multidisciplinary team

RIS/VistA access management

PACS network and security knowledge

Imaging procedures proficiency

Education

ARRT Certification in Radiography (R)

Advanced ARRT certification (CT/MRI/Mammography)

24+ months post-high school diagnostic radiologic technology program

Tools

PACS system administration

VistA imaging

AE titles/access management

DICOM display hardware

Speech recognition systems

Job description

*****A recruitment/relocation incentive may be offered to highly qualified candidate(s).*****

The PACS Technologist provides planning, guidance, instruction, maintenance, and troubleshooting for all aspects of the daily operations relating to the Picture Archiving and Communications Systems section. This position serves as a specialist providing support in the operation and management of digital image processing, storage, and display. Applicants must meet all qualifications requirements at time of application.

Basic Requirements

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• English Language Proficiency: DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d).
• Certification-Documentation Submitted: All applicants must be certified in general radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology, Radiography (ARRT) (R). Advanced ARRT certification is required for assignments that include computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or Mammography (M) duties performed independently, as applicable. Advanced certification indicates that the incumbent can operate independently and has demonstrated specific clinical competency in the appropriate specialty and taken and passed the designated examination. In modalities that require advanced certification, to support their continued development, technologists who do not possess an advanced certification may be provided on the job training with oversight from a certified radiologic technologist.
• Education-Documentation Submitted: 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).May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Grade Determinations: In addition to meeting the basic requirements stated above, the following qualifications criteria must be met in determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates.

Picture Archive Communication System (PACS) Technologist, GS-11:

• Experience: Candidates must have at least one (1) year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-10) directly related o the position being filled that demonstrates the clinical competencies needed to provide services as a quality control technologist, DRT team leader, supervisory radiologic technologist, PACS technologist, clinical program director, or an assistant chief radiologic technologist.
  • Examples of experience for the PACS technologist at the GS-10 grade level includes, but is not limited to: provides support and troubleshoots system application issues and instructs users in the proper operation of digital image processing, storage, and display systems. The technologist performs VistA radiology, VistA imaging, and PACS support activities and general ADPAC duties including user access control. The technologist coordinates contingency plans during equipment downtimes and initiates repair requests with appropriate services or vendors. The technologist provides oversight of hardware relating to PACS display workstations, applications, speech recognition hardware, and other medical imaging hardware. The technologist provides training to radiologists, technologists, and other clients in the proper and efficient use of imaging hardware and software of the integrated PACS and VistA imaging systems. The technologist provides instruction and guidance in daily operations of the ancillary systems such as: speech recognition dictation, dose reporting systems, contrast reporting systems, etc. The incumbent may function as a DRT which may include complex modalities such as CT, MR, mammography, ultrasound, and/or IR.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs).

• Knowledge of contingency plans during equipment downtimes.
• Ability to act as liaison for Radiology with biomedical engineering and OI&T.
• Ability to develop methods and programs to evaluate, monitor, and maintain digital imaging and voice recognition systems.
• Ability to lead a team of multidisciplinary members in accomplishing strategic planning and integration of PACS and network elements.
• Ability to perform complex system administrator functions such as: oversight of RIS (Hospital Information System/Radiology Information System) links, AE titles, individual and user group creation and access management, etc.
• Knowledge of VA and other national guidelines pertaining to PACS network, VistA imaging, and database security.
• Knowledge of specific positioning, technique, and imaging procedures so he/she will be able to perform and reconcile image information correctly and efficiently during technical post processing and evaluation.

Preferred Experience

Minimum of three (3) years experience as a PACS administrator at a large Healthcare facility and able to provide remote access support as necessary.

Reference

For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements

Heavy Lifting, 45 pounds and over, moderate carrying, 15-45 pounds, pushing up to 4 hours; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers, good dexterity (both hands required); prolonged walking, prolonged standing; repeated bending; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (hearing aid permitted); speed in working; and emotional stability. Must have the ability to stand and work while wearing lead apron for possibly long periods of time.