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

Veterans Health Administration • Amarillo, TX

9d • Onsite

About The Position

The PACS Technologist supports the day-to-day operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and management of the Amarillo VA Health Care System’s radiology Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS), Voice Recognition System (VRS), VistA Imaging interface, and Radiology Package in DHCP. The role supports digital image and voice acquisition, processing, storage, display, and distribution, and works under the Chief of Radiology Service or designee, coordinating with OI&T, Biomedical/Engineering Service, clinical users, and the VISN PACS Coordinator.

The incumbent leads and guides multidisciplinary PACS team members; plans, implements, tests, and maintains PACS and related applications, networking interfaces, and administrative software; monitors system performance and capacity; and oversees software implementations and upgrades. The role performs complex system administration, including RIS links, AE titles, user accounts, access management, and security controls. It also provides first-line technical support, investigates system failures, coordinates repairs and downtime contingencies, and maintains reliable imaging and teleradiology operations.

The PACS Technologist develops and delivers training for radiologists, technologists, PACS staff, and other users; creates instructional materials; and maintains a quality-control program for digital image quality. The position supports procurement and assessment of equipment, evaluates user needs, recommends hardware and software solutions, and serves as the facility’s primary Contracting Officer Representative and Point of Contact for PACS. The role also coordinates security with the Information Security Officer, maintains compliance with relevant VA and national security guidelines, and chairs the Quality Improvement committee, including quarterly meetings.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• 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 Department of Education-recognized accrediting agency.
• Current American Registry of Radiologic Technology certification in Radiography (ARRT (R)), unless qualifying under the specified grandfathering provision for eligible current VHA employees.
• At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, directly related to the position, demonstrating the required clinical competencies; experience used for GS-10 equivalency must have been earned while holding active ARRT (R) certification.
• Knowledge of contingency plans for equipment downtime.
• Ability to act as a liaison between Radiology, 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 integration of PACS and network elements.
• Ability to perform complex system administration, including RIS links, AE titles, and user and group access management.
• Knowledge of VA and national guidelines for PACS networks, VistA Imaging, and database security.
• Knowledge of positioning, technique, and imaging procedures sufficient to perform and reconcile image information during technical post-processing and evaluation.
• Must satisfy VA pre-employment requirements, including applicable drug testing, background/security investigation, onboarding, identification, and required application documentation.
• Must participate in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, as applicable.
• Must comply with safety, fire-prevention, and system and personnel security requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Experience configuring complex PACS systems, including AE titles, DICOM nodes, routing rules, exam orders, and radiologist hanging protocols.
• Experience resolving complex PACS, HIS/RIS, EHR, voice-recognition, PACS workstation, and modality worklist failures.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams in PACS and network planning and integration.
• Experience conducting DICOM validation and troubleshooting across diagnostic imaging modalities.
• Experience conducting risk assessments and implementing corrective action plans.
• Experience with cybersecurity and HIPAA privacy requirements.
• Experience leading restoration coordination after PACS outages.
• Experience serving as technical lead for teleradiology operations, ensuring reliable transmission and reconciliation.
• Experience resolving complex teleradiology transmission and integration issues.
• Certified Imaging Informatics Professional (CIIP), or willingness to obtain certification within one year of hire.

Responsibilities

• Lead multidisciplinary team members in strategic planning and integration of PACS and network elements.
• Research and analyze PACS program requirements and problems, gather relevant information, and develop recommendations and proposals.
• Perform complex system administration, including oversight of RIS links, AE titles, user and group creation, and access management.
• Maintain knowledge of VA and national guidelines for PACS networks, VistA Imaging, and database security.
• Perform VistA Radiology, VistA Imaging, and Radiology ADPAC support, including user access control.
• Develop methods and programs to evaluate, monitor, and maintain digital imaging and voice recognition systems.
• Serve as a liaison among OI&T, Imaging Biomedical employees, and clinical users to optimize PACS configuration and image distribution.
• Provide first-line support for image transmission and display errors involving modalities, the VistA interface, workstations, and printers; troubleshoot, repair where possible, and coordinate vendor or service repair requests.
• Investigate system malfunctions, identify causes, review technical manuals, isolate problems, and initiate corrective actions.
• Monitor equipment and its environment and execute emergency procedures during disasters or security-risk situations.
• Plan, install, test, and implement PACS operations, related applications, networking interfaces, and administrative software.
• Monitor system performance and capacity, maintain imaging systems, and adjust system and operational parameters as needed.
• Oversee PACS software implementation and upgrades.
• Identify training priorities, conduct training, develop instructional materials, and train users in imaging hardware and software, PACS, VRS, VistA, and CPRS.
• Coordinate with Clinical Application Coordinators on training and instructional materials for displaying radiographic images at clinical workstations.
• Train PACS staff and employees in Imaging and Cardiology as needed; provide team members with expert guidance on procedures, policies, and directives.
• Design and maintain a digital radiographic image quality-control program, including evaluation from modality to viewing monitor.
• Develop methods to collect and retrieve computer information for analysis of program-related data.
• Assist the Radiology Service Chief in assessing and procuring PACS- and VRS-related equipment.
• Analyze user needs and recommend hardware and software solutions; assist users with local software application design.
• Serve as the primary Contracting Officer Representative and Point of Contact for PACS within the facility.
• Maintain logs of users, network equipment addresses, and DICOM AE titles; establish user accounts and passwords.
• Work with the Information Security Officer on PACS security, maintaining user privileges, network access, and security schemes according to applicable guidelines.
• Direct staff performing work at the GS-5 to GS-9 level; assign and coordinate work, monitor completion, provide technical direction, and recommend team actions through the supervisor.
• Coordinate with VistA Imaging managers, Biomedical personnel, users, support personnel, vendors, service personnel, and the VISN PACS Coordinator to resolve issues.
• Schedule downtime and implement workflow changes or workarounds until problems are resolved.
• Set up PACS workstations and support remote radiologists; coordinate on-site and off-site issues with other PACS Technologists and the VISN PACS Administrator.
• Chair the Quality Improvement committee and conduct quarterly meetings.
• Comply with safety and fire-prevention requirements, report accidents and unsafe conditions, and participate in training, staff meetings, and safety activities.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual for prior work or military service, subject to approval.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment.
• Potential child care subsidy for eligible full-time employees after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other eligibility criteria.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and federal 401(k), with VA contributions of up to 5%.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.
• Recruitment incentives may be authorized for eligible appointees.
• Relocation incentives may be authorized for eligible federal employees who must change worksites and physically relocate; permanent change-of-station assistance is not authorized.

What This Job Offers

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