Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) Technologist - Recruitment/Relocation Incentive

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Amarillo (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Amarillo VA Health Care System seeks a seasoned PACS Technologist to oversee operation and maintenance of PACS, VRS, Vista Imaging, and related radiology packages. You will guide complex configurations, troubleshoot cross-system issues, and coordinate outages with vendors.

The role requires certification in radiologic technology and experience leading PACS-related teams, with a strong emphasis on quality, cybersecurity, and HIPAA compliance.

Qualifications

• Must have completed a full-time 24-month post-high school diagnostic radiologic technology program (certificate or associate degree) accredited by JRCERT or recognized by DOE.
• Current ARRT certification in Radiologic Technology (R). Grandfathering provision may apply if eligible.
• At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the GS-9 level, showing competencies in PACS/DRT supervision and clinical staff oversight.

Responsibilities

• Provide guidance, maintenance and troubleshooting for PACS, VRS, Vista Imaging interface, and Radiology Package in DHCP.
• Lead a multidisciplinary team in strategic planning and integration of PACS with network elements.
• Train radiologists, technologists and clients in proper use of imaging hardware/software and ensure quality control across systems.

Skills

PACS configuration

PACS troubleshooting

Team leadership

DICOM validation

Risk assessment

Cybersecurity & HIPAA

PACS outages restoration

Teleradiology leadership

Transmission issues resolution

CIIP certification readiness

Education

Radiologic Technology program (JRCERT)

Job description

The PACS Technologist provides guidance, instruction, maintenance and troubleshooting services in the day-to-day operations of the Radiology Picture Archive and Communication System (PACS), Voice Recognition System (VRS), Vista Imaging interface, and the Radiology Package in DHCP. The incumbent serves as a specialist providing support in the operation and management of digital image and voice acquisition, processing, storage and display systems at the Amarillo VA Health Care System.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience performing complex PACS system configuration including AE titles, DICOM nodes, routing rules, managing exam orders, and developing hanging protocols for radiologists.
• Experience resolving complex PACS, HIS/RIS, EHR, voice-recognition systems, PACS workstation, and modality worklist failures.
• Experience leading a team of multidisciplinary member in accomplishing strategic planning and integration of PACS and network elements.
• Experience conducting DICOM validation and troubleshooting across diagnostic imaging modalities.
• Experience conducting risk assessments and implements corrective action plans.
• Experience with cybersecurity and HIPAA privacy requirements
• Experience leading restoration coordination after PACS outages.
• Experience as the technical lead for teleradiology operations ensuring reliable transmission and reconciliation.
• Experience resolving complex teleradiology transmission and integration issues.
• Certified Imaging Informatics Professional (CIIP), or willing to become certified within 1 year of hire date.

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: Must be proficient in written and spoken English.

Education.

Must have completed a full-time training course of at least 24 months in duration (or the 2 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).

Certification

Must have a current certification in general radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology, Radiography (ARRT) (R). 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

Experience.

Must have 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?

Note: To be equivalent to the GS-10 level, experience must have also been earned while holding an active ARRT (R) Certification.

Reference: GS-10 Supervisory Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist Assignment.

[The technologist] functions as a supervisor for a group of DRTs at the GS-9 level and below which may include support staff. [The technologist] evaluates new products and equipment, making recommendations to supervisor concerning upgrades/new purchases that would improve operations. [The technologist] informs higher level management of anticipated staffing variances and informally recommends promotions, reassignments, or other personnel changes such as retention or release of probationary employees, and recognition of superior performance in the diagnostic radiologic area. [The technologist] directs the development and implementation of services and treatment to patients through the supervision, mentoring, and oversight of assigned clinical staff. Experience must demonstrate practice skills in a specialty area or in administration demonstrating progressively more professional competency and judgment.

Reference: GS-10 [Lead] Diagnostic Radiologic [ ] [Technologist] Assignment.

[The incumbent] functions as a lead DRT for a group of DRTs [at the GS-9 level and below]. [The incumbent] provides a full range of general radiologic imaging exams, has a broad knowledge of the different modalities within the diagnostic radiologic area, and is accountable to the next higher-level supervisor.

Reference: GS-10 Advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist Assignment.

Employees are trained to work in one or more difficult and complex modalities performing procedures related to these modalities as well as performing general diagnostic procedures. At this grade level, any assignment in a single modality must demonstrate significant complexity. Such assignments are unique, perhaps with expert specialization in complex areas of radiologic technology, Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) regulations, and intermediate QM type duties within the program.

Reference: GS-10 Picture Archive Communication System (PACS) Technologist Assignment

. The PACS technologist 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.

Reference: GS-10 [Magnetic Resonance Safety Operator (MRSO) Assignment.

Employees who are qualified to work in the MRI modality (advanced certification) have expert specialization at this grade level. The MRSO operates with full responsibility for training, developing, and directing the MR safety program. Duties may include coordination of MR safety committee meetings, evaluation of hospital equipment to ensure MR safe operation, and oversight of employee and patient MR screening programs. Coordinates training of hospital staff and ensures maintenance of educational documentation.

The following KSAs should be reflected within your resume or on a separate document with your application package:

• 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.

Reference:

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

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-11.

Physical Requirements:

Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination.