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

Veterans Health Administration • Marion, IL

8d • Onsite

About The Position

The incumbent works in PACS Services within the Imaging Department at the Marion, Illinois VAMC and serves as the primary imaging informaticist for the Federal Electronic Health Record. The position provides guidance, instruction, maintenance, and troubleshooting for the Radiology Picture Archive and Communication System (PACS), voice recognition, VistA Imaging interface, Federal Electronic Health Record, and other systems supporting Radiology operations and workflow. The incumbent serves as the department informaticist and ADPAC for information-system projects and updates, and provides technical support for digital image and voice acquisition, processing, storage, distribution, importation, and display systems.

The role performs advanced PACS administration and enterprise integration, including system configuration, DICOM validation, and integration with radiology and electronic medical record systems. It develops and monitors digital imaging and voice-recognition systems, provides expert technical consultation and training, troubleshoots complex system issues, and ensures compliance with VA security, privacy, and data-governance requirements. The incumbent also supports teleradiology, quality assurance, downtime and business-continuity planning, and cross-service technology initiatives.

The incumbent performs work in Computed Tomography and may function as a lead CT technologist. The role requires the ability to perform, supervise, and advise on complex CT examinations and serve as a subject matter expert on CT scanners and their components. It also leads and trains clinical staff to support adherence to facility policy, procedures, and patient-safety measures. The work schedule is 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. This is an onsite, non-virtual position; telework is not available.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception under VA policy for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Certification in general radiologic technology by ARRT (R).
• Advanced ARRT certification is required for CT assignments performed independently.
• Completion of a full-time post-high-school diagnostic radiologic technology training course of at least 24 months, or equivalent, evidenced by a certificate or associate degree from a JRCERT-accredited program or another DOE-recognized accrediting agency.
• At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, directly related to the position, demonstrating the clinical competencies required for quality-control technologist, DRT/CT, and PACS technologist work.
• Knowledge of contingency plans for equipment downtimes.
• Ability to act as Radiology liaison 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 multidisciplinary teams in strategic planning and PACS and network integration.
• Ability to perform complex system-administrator functions, including RIS links, AE titles, user and group creation, and access management.
• Knowledge of VA and national guidelines for PACS networks, VistA Imaging, and database security.
• Knowledge of positioning, technique, and imaging procedures to perform and reconcile image information correctly and efficiently during technical post-processing and evaluation.
• Maintain radiology and computed tomography licensure/certification.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical evaluation/examination and any required background/security investigation; applicants in testing-designated positions are subject to pre-employment drug testing.
• Must complete required onboarding and comply with the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, as applicable.

Nice To Haves

• PACS administration experience.
• Healthcare IT or informatics knowledge.
• Radiology workflow expertise.
• Advanced troubleshooting skills.
• Project implementation experience.
• Independent decision-making ability.
• Training and education experience.
• Data-quality and quality-improvement experience.
• Cross-functional collaboration experience.
• Leadership without formal authority.
• Advanced Computed Tomography credential and PACS/imaging-informatics expertise.

Responsibilities

• Configure and administer PACS, including AE titles, DICOM nodes, routing rules, exam dictionaries, and hanging protocols.
• Lead integration of PACS with RIS, VistA Radiology, VistA Imaging, EMR/CPRS, and voice-recognition systems.
• Conduct DICOM validation and troubleshooting across imaging modalities and coordinate with OI&T and Biomedical Engineering to optimize PACS network performance.
• Develop methods and programs to evaluate, monitor, and maintain digital imaging and voice-recognition systems; analyze performance trends, workflows, errors, and image flow.
• Oversee structured testing for system upgrades and modality replacements.
• Serve as the primary imaging-informatics subject matter expert and lead multidisciplinary PACS planning, expansion, and integration teams.
• Provide advanced training on PACS, imaging workflows, exam management, and image-quality standards.
• Troubleshoot complex PACS, RIS, VistA Imaging, DICOM gateway, modality worklist, and workstation problems, coordinating with national VA teams during escalated outages.
• Ensure compliance with VA cybersecurity, VistA Imaging retention, privacy, and data-governance requirements; manage user access, permissions, security keys, and AE-level authorizations and conduct access audits.
• Serve as technical lead for teleradiology operations and resolve transmission and integration issues.
• Lead Radiology quality assurance for image acquisition, processing, display, compression, and storage; identify workflow bottlenecks, assess risks, and implement improvements and corrective action plans.
• Oversee the ADP contingency plan for downtime, ensure accurate post-downtime data reconciliation, and coordinate restoration after outages.
• Participate in technology initiatives with Clinical Informatics, OI&T, HTM, and other ADPACs; support evaluation and implementation of applications, hardware, and integrated IT systems.
• Perform work in the Computed Tomography modality and may function as a lead CT technologist.
• Perform, supervise, and advise on complex CT examinations and serve as a subject matter expert on CT scanners and their components.
• Lead and train clinical staff to ensure adherence to facility policies, procedures, and patient-safety measures.

Benefits

• 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.
• Traditional federal pension, with five-year vesting.
• Federal 401(k), with up to 5% in contributions by VA.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term-life, and long-term-care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.
• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.

What This Job Offers

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