Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist - Picture Archive Communication System

Full Job Description

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program.

You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment.

Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Basic Requirements: Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States.

(Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g.) Certification.

All applicants must be certified in general radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology, Radiography (ARRT) (R).

Advanced ARRT certification is required for assignments that include computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), [or Mammography (M) duties performed independently, as applicable].

Advanced certification indicates that the incumbent [can operate independently] and has demonstrated specific clinical competency in the appropriate specialty and taken and passed the designated examination.

[In modalities that require advanced certification, to support their continued development, technologists who do not possess an advanced certification may be provided on the job training with oversight from a certified radiologic technologist.] Education.

Completion of a full-time training course of at least 24 months in duration (or the 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).] [NOTE: Assignment to the clinical program director requires meeting JRCERT minimum educational standards as noted in the assignment description.] Credentialing Standards.

Public Law 97-35, the Consumer-Patient Radiation Health and Safety Act of 1981, requires that persons who administer radiologic procedures meet the credentialing standards in 42 CFR Part 75, Standards for the Accreditation of Educational Programs and the Credentialing of Radiographic Personnel.

Essentially, they must have successfully completed an educational program that meets or exceeds the standards described in that regulation and is accredited by an organization recognized by the U.S.

Department of Education and be certified as radiographers in their field. Grade Determinations: [Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist], GS-10 Experience.

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 described at that level.

Picture Archive Communication System (PACS) Technologist.

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. The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs: i.

Ability to provide support and troubleshoot system application and hardware issues and instruct users in the proper operation of digital image processing, storage and display systems. ii.

Ability to perform VistA radiology, VistA imaging, and PACS support activities and general ADPAC duties including user access control. iii.

Ability to initiate repair requests with appropriate services or vendors. iv. Knowledge of PACS system infrastructure and functionality. v.

Ability to provide training to all user levels in the efficient use of imaging hardware and software of the integrated PACS system. vi.

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/.

Physical Requirements: DRT's work requires long periods of standing and walking up to 8 hours.

Movement of moderately heavy equipment is generally power assisted such as portable machines, hospital beds, wheelchairs, and patient lift equipment.

Repeated bending, pushing/pulling, reaching above shoulders, use of both hands (hands and fingers), twisting and carrying of moderately heavy articles weighing from 15-44 pounds such as multiple cassettes, grids, as well as wearing lead, patient safety equipment, scanner, phantom, and patient assistance in moving to scan table.

Positioning of patients who are disabled may require considerable effort and working in awkward positions.

Heavy lifting of incapacitated patients is done only with help of other employees along with Safe Patient Handling devices (i.e., EZ-MAT) provided by the Radiology Section.

Must be able to lift, push, pull, and or slide 15-44 lbs. Major Duties:

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Provides first line technical support for image transmission and voice recognition and display errors related to modalities to include: Vista interface, display workstations, printers, and voice recognition system.

Initiates proper repairs when possible and instructs users in proper operation or work arounds, and initiates service level agreements coordinating repair requests with appropriate services or vendors when necessary.

Investigates system malfunctions to determine the cause. Defines and isolates the specific problem(s), using available diagnostic and error recovery techniques, and initiates corrective actions.

Monitors equipment controlling environment and executes emergency procedures in case of natural or man-made disasters and security risk situations. Performs daily support in PACS operations.

Monitors PACS, voice recognition and related systems including application systems, networking interface software, imaging modality interfaces and system administrative software.

Evaluates system performance by utilizing various tools, capacity planning, and imaging management/maintenance to adjust system and operation parameters as necessary.

Oversees all aspects of implementation of software and upgrades to the PACS system. Oversees integration of local PACS and voice recognition with the VISN-19 primary and backup data centers.

Monitors daily exams to identify and update dictation (VR) status, modality image (DICOM) failures and assures integrity of images and data integration between Vista Rad and/or commercial PACS system.

Uses standard approaches to perform a variety of duties related to digital image support issues. Extracts and assembles information, conducts analysis, and develops reports or presentations.

Assists the Imaging Program administrator in assessment, PACS integration and procurement of new equipment.

Identifies problems, gathers data, performs analysis, and proposes solutions to problems and barriers to establishment of an efficient, cost-effective filmless radiology environment.

Provides analysis of user needs and recommends appropriate hardware and software solutions.

Assures compliance with all Diagnostic Imaging related system and personnel security requirements to include all contracted Teleradiology services.

Aides in coordinating with Senior PACS Administrator activities with Vista Imaging manager, Information Security Officer, OIT and Biomedical personnel assigned to Radiology, Vista Imaging users and support personnel on computer-related matters.

Maintains communications with vendors, Vista Radiology developers and other sources to ensure that working technical knowledge is always current.

Complies with all safety/fire prevention rules/regulations, using protective equipment when required and provided.

Attends scheduled training sessions and participates in facility or service-level safety promotions as directed by supervisor.

Identifies and determines training priorities, conducts, and administers training programs, develops, and improves training guidance.

Provides training to radiologists, residents, and technologists and other users in proper and efficient use of imaging hardware and software.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8-4:30pm; rotating call nights, holidays, weekends Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): May Be Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive.

Contact joshua.titensor@va.gov , the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance.

Learn more Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).

Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.

Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.

Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.

Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 584650 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized