Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist/ Picture Archival Communication System (PACS) Technologist

Veterans Health Administration • Temple, TX

13d • Onsite

About The Position

The Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist/Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) Technologist works within the Diagnostic Imaging Service at the VA Central Texas Veterans Health Care System. The position assists the PACS Administrator/Manager with coordinating, operating, maintaining, and optimizing PACS and associated digital imaging systems throughout the health care system and affiliated Community Based Outpatient Clinics. At least 25 percent of the time, the technologist independently performs assigned daily PACS operational duties, including monitoring system performance, evaluating imaging workflows, identifying technical issues, and supporting corrective actions.

The technologist monitors diagnostic imaging examinations for transmission failures, DICOM errors, dictation discrepancies, and data integrity issues, and helps ensure accurate image acquisition, storage, retrieval, and display. The role provides technical support and troubleshooting for PACS workstations, imaging modalities, voice recognition systems, image transmission interfaces, and related hardware and software. It also coordinates repairs with OI&T, Biomedical Engineering, and vendors; supports software upgrades, installations, system changes, and new technologies; and helps transmit and exchange diagnostic images among VA facilities, outpatient clinics, and contracted teleradiology services.

The position provides or helps develop user training, performs quality-control activities, assists with system performance monitoring, imaging database and archive maintenance, backups, and downtime procedures, and contributes to equipment planning and operational improvements. It supports compliance with VA information security, patient privacy, departmental quality assurance, and Joint Commission requirements; maintains documentation; and prepares technical, administrative, and statistical reports. The incumbent may also function as a diagnostic radiologic technologist, including in complex imaging modalities.

The position is full-time, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with rotating on-call duty and rotating holidays. Ad hoc telework may be authorized; this is not a virtual position. The full performance level is GS-10. The work is primarily sedentary, with some movement between work areas, walking or standing for meetings or conferences, and occasional carrying or lifting of items weighing less than 15 pounds.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Certification in general radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) in Radiography (R).
• Advanced ARRT certification when independently performing applicable CT, MRI, or mammography duties.
• Completion of a full-time post-high-school diagnostic radiologic technology training program of at least 24 months, or equivalent, evidenced by a certificate or associate degree and accredited by JRCERT or another Department of Education-recognized accrediting agency.
• At least one year of experience equivalent to the GS-9 level, directly related to the position, demonstrating the required clinical competencies.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Ability to troubleshoot system application and hardware issues and instruct users in digital image processing, storage, and display systems.
• Ability to perform VistA radiology, VistA imaging, PACS support, and general ADPAC duties, including user access control.
• Ability to initiate repair requests with appropriate services or vendors.
• Knowledge of PACS system infrastructure and functionality.
• Ability to train users at all levels in efficient use of integrated PACS imaging hardware and software.
• Knowledge of positioning, technique, and imaging procedures sufficient to correctly and efficiently perform and reconcile image information during technical post-processing and evaluation.
• Must meet VA employment conditions, including required background/security investigation and pre-employment physical evaluation; selected applicants are subject to drug testing and required onboarding and influenza vaccination requirements.
• Must complete a one- or two-year trial period, as applicable.

Nice To Haves

• Five or more years of diagnostic radiologic technologist experience.
• PACS education.
• Prior experience with Change Healthcare PACS.

Responsibilities

• Assist the PACS Administrator/Manager with daily coordination, operation, maintenance, and optimization of PACS and associated digital imaging systems.
• Independently perform assigned PACS operational duties at least 25 percent of the time, including monitoring performance, evaluating workflows, identifying technical issues, and supporting corrective actions.
• Monitor diagnostic imaging examinations for image transmission failures, DICOM errors, dictation status discrepancies, and data integrity issues.
• Help ensure accurate image acquisition, storage, retrieval, and display across integrated imaging systems.
• Provide technical support and troubleshoot PACS workstations, imaging modalities, voice recognition systems, image transmission interfaces, and related hardware and software.
• Coordinate repairs with OI&T, Biomedical Engineering, and equipment vendors.
• Collaborate with radiologists, technologists, clinical personnel, technical services, and vendors to resolve system issues and improve workflow and communication.
• Assist with implementation, testing, and evaluation of PACS software upgrades, hardware installations, system modifications, and new imaging technologies.
• Coordinate and support electronic transmission and exchange of diagnostic images between VA facilities, outpatient clinics, and contracted teleradiology services.
• Develop or provide training to clinical users on PACS applications, imaging workstations, voice recognition systems, and related imaging software.
• Perform quality-control activities to verify image integrity, patient and examination identification, image routing, and integration of imaging data.
• Assist with system performance monitoring, imaging database and archive maintenance, assigned backups, and contingency and downtime procedures.
• Participate in evaluating equipment needs, developing technical recommendations, planning system upgrades, and identifying operational improvements.
• Support compliance with VA information security, patient privacy, departmental quality assurance, and Joint Commission requirements related to diagnostic imaging systems.
• Prepare technical, administrative, and statistical reports; maintain system documentation; and recommend operational improvements to the PACS Administrator/Manager.
• Perform other duties in support of Diagnostic Imaging Service operations.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered based on qualifications or VA needs.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, comprising 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to approval.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment, in connection with birth, adoption, or foster care placement.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to family income and other eligibility rules.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and federal 401(k) with up to 5% in VA contributions.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree