Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist- Picture Archive Communication System (PACS) Technologist

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Prescott (AZ); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Northern Arizona VA Health Care System seeks a PACS administrator to manage imaging systems, maintain RIS/RIS links, and train staff on NAVAHCS applications.

Required ARRT certification, 24-month radiologic technology program, and proficient English. Mission includes ensuring compliance with VA security standards and archiving imaging data.

Qualifications

• Citizenship: US citizen.
• ARRT certification in radiologic technology (R); advanced CT/MRI/Mammo certification if applicable.
• Completion of 24-month post-high school radiologic technology program (certificate or associate).
• English proficiency in speaking and writing.

Responsibilities

• Support and troubleshoot imaging processing, display, and storage systems.
• Provide oversight of PACS/RIS links and access management.
• Train clinical users on NAVAHCS applications and ensure security compliance.

Skills

PACS troubleshooting

Radiology workflow knowledge

User training

System administration

Education

Associate or certificate in radiologic technology

Tools

RIS

PACS

DICOM

VistA imaging

Job description

This position is located at Northern Arizona VA Health Care System. The incumbent serves as a PACS administrator with responsibility for Imaging computer systems to gather, record, process and analyze a variety of imaging systems, and also serves as an ADPAC support of Radiology EMR to maintain radiology information system (RIS) file systems entries, procedures and radiology CPT codes and HCPCS codes up to date, provides user training for all NAVAHCS applications utilized in the facility.

Basic Requirements

• Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States.
• Certification. 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. 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).] [NOTE: Assignment to the clinical program director requires meeting JRCERT minimum educational standards as noted in the assignment description.]
• Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• English Language Proficiency. DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d).

Grade Determinations

Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist - Picture Archival Communication System (PACS) Technologist, GS-11

Picture Archival Communication System (PACS) Technologist:

Technologists working in this special assignment use their knowledge of radiology workflow and processes in conjunction with a specialized technical skillset to support and troubleshoot image processing, display, and storage systems. The PACS technologist also provides oversight and support of PACS display workstations, interfaces, secondary applications, speech recognition and other hardware that is critical to departmental efficiency and throughput.

(1) Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to 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.

(2) Assignments. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. DRTs at this grade level may be appointed to one of the following assignments:

(a) Picture Archive Communication System (PACS) Technologist.

This position serves as a liaison for the Office of Information and Technology (OI&T), Biomedical Engineering staff and clinical users to ensure the PACS system is configured to optimize imaging including distribution capabilities; develops methods and programs to evaluate, monitor and maintain digital imaging and voice recognition systems; serves as team leader in planning, developing, and instructing users in the operation of PACS network elements, the integration of these with related systems, and recommends corresponding upgrades. This position researches and or/analyzes problems, issues, or program requirements supporting the functions of a digital imaging system; performs complex system administrator functions such as: oversight of RIS (Hospital Information System/Radiology Information System) links necessary to interface with the HIS (Hospital Information System), Application Entity (AE) titles, individual and user group creation, and access management, system filters, exam code dictionaries, DICOM configuration testing, hanging protocols, voice file exchange, and other duties associated with this position. The incumbent ensures compliance with all national and VA information and security requirements, including archiving of images to VistA imaging. This position may independently function as a DRT, which may include complex modality such as CT, MR, mammography, ultrasound, and IR.

The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs:

i. Ability to provide support and troubleshoot system application and hardware issues and instruct users in the proper operation of digital image processing, storage and display systems.
ii. Ability to perform VistA radiology, VistA imaging, and PACS support activities and general ADPAC duties including user access control.
iii. Ability to initiate repair requests with appropriate services or vendors.
iv. Knowledge of PACS system infrastructure and functionality.
v. Ability to provide training to all user levels in the efficient use of imaging hardware and software of the integrated PACS system.
vi. 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.

Reference:

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

Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

Work is performed in a health care setting. Work may involve exposure to infection and possible contagious diseases. Standard precautions and isolation techniques will be employed as indicated. Working conditions include: outside and inside work, exposure to radiation energy, constant noise (machinery/equipment), working around hazardous machinery with moving parts, working closely with others.