Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist-Picture Archival Communication System (PACS)

Veterans Health Administration • Orlando, FL

12d • Hybrid

About The Position

The PACS Technologist provides planning, guidance, instruction, maintenance, training, and troubleshooting for daily operations of the Picture Archiving and Communications Systems (PACS) section. The position supports the operation and management of digital image processing, storage, and display, and trains radiologists, physicians, diagnostic radiologic technologists, clinicians, and other staff in the hardware and software applications that support Radiology PACS functions.

The position also performs diagnostic radiology technical work under the direction of a Radiologist or Physician. The technologist operates digital, computerized, or conventional radiology equipment to carry out diagnostic plans, including fixed, portable, and surgical imaging equipment. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework is ad hoc, situational, occasional, and non-routine; the position is not virtual. Recruitment or relocation incentives may be offered to highly qualified candidates, as determined by the facility or agency. Permanent Change of Station is not authorized.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Certification in general radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology, Radiography (ARRT(R)).
• Completion of a full-time training course of at least 24 months, or equivalent, in a post-high-school diagnostic radiologic technology program, evidenced by a certificate or associate degree from an appropriately accredited program.
• At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-10), directly related to the position, demonstrating relevant clinical competencies.
• Demonstrate knowledge of contingency plans for equipment downtime.
• Ability to act as a 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/network integration.
• Ability to perform complex system-administrator functions, including oversight of RIS links, AE titles, and user and group creation and access management.
• Knowledge of VA and other national guidelines pertaining to PACS networks, VistA imaging, and database security.
• Knowledge of positioning, technique, and imaging procedures to correctly and efficiently perform and reconcile image information during technical post-processing and evaluation.
• Meet pre-employment physical examination requirements and participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Undergo applicable drug screening, background/security investigation, and online onboarding; complete required application documentation and serve a one- or two-year trial period if appointed.
• Meet physical requirements, including heavy lifting, carrying, pushing, reaching, manual dexterity, prolonged walking and standing, repeated bending, coordination, vision, color discrimination, hearing, work speed, and emotional stability; ability to work standing while wearing a lead apron for potentially long periods.

Nice To Haves

• At least three years of experience as a PACS administrator at a large healthcare facility.
• Ability to provide remote-access support as needed.
• Advanced ARRT certification when independently performing CT, MRI, or mammography duties, as applicable.

Responsibilities

• Provide planning, guidance, instruction, maintenance, training, and troubleshooting for PACS systems and components.
• Provide first-line technical support for image transmission, voice recognition, and image display errors across imaging modalities; initiate repairs, instruct users in proper operations or contingency processes, and submit help tickets or work orders when needed.
• Investigate system malfunctions, identify root causes, isolate issues using diagnostic and recovery techniques, and initiate corrective actions.
• Monitor PACS and execute contingency operations during planned or unplanned downtime, disaster response, or elevated security-risk situations.
• Oversee implementation of PACS software and upgrades, including at primary and backup data centers.
• Set up, assemble, configure, and calibrate PACS workstations, including remote workstations; test and confirm workstation components such as monitors, mounts, keyboards, pointing devices, and voice-recognition systems.
• Monitor PACS, voice-recognition, and related applications, network interface software, modality interfaces, and system administrative software.
• Evaluate system performance using tools and capacity planning, and adjust system and operational parameters as necessary.
• Design, implement, and maintain a digital radiographic image quality-control program, including evaluation of image quality from modality to viewing monitor.
• Perform diagnostic radiology technical work under the direction of a Radiologist or Physician.
• Operate digital, computerized, or conventional radiology equipment, including fixed, portable, and surgical imaging equipment, to carry out diagnostic plans.
• Determine technical parameters and calculate exposure factors, including distance, time, kilovoltage, and milliamperage.
• Independently perform radiographic examinations of the head, trunk, spine, and extremities to assist diagnosis of injury or illness.
• Perform fluoroscopy procedures with a Radiologist, including esophagrams, lumbar punctures, myelograms, urethrograms, gastrointestinal procedures, barium studies, and other routine fluoroscopy procedures.
• Prepare procedure rooms and ensure sterile supplies, local anesthetics, contrast material, catheters, and other required supplies are present and prepared.
• Provide intraoperative and postoperative fluoroscopy and diagnostic radiography when requested by an operative surgeon or appropriately credentialed clinician.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package available to employees and their families, subject to position eligibility.
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to request and approval before appointment.
• A recruitment or relocation incentive may be offered to highly qualified candidates, as determined by the facility or agency.

What This Job Offers

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