Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist-PACS Technologist

Full Job Description

The incumbent serves as Picture Archive Communication System (PACS) Administrator/ Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (DRT) for the NWIHCS Imaging Service Line on the Omaha campus.

As an Advanced Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist, the incumbent will have a basic understanding of specialty imaging areas (CT, MRI, Ultrasound, Mammography, Nuclear Medicine, and Special Procedures), the workflow and methods of image acquisition.

Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

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

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. English Language Proficiency: DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C.

7402(d), and 7407(d).

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Grade Determinations: GS-11 Picture Archive Communication System (PACS) Technologist Experience: At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-10, directly related to the position being filled that demonstrates the clinical competencies needed to provide services as a PACS technologist.

AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs: i. Knowledge of contingency plans during equipment downtimes. ii.

Ability to act as liaison for Radiology with biomedical engineering and OI&T. iii.

Ability to develop methods and programs to evaluate, monitor, and maintain digital imaging and voice recognition systems. iv.

Ability to lead a team of multidisciplinary members in accomplishing strategic planning and integration of PACS and network elements. v.

Ability to perform complex system administrator functions such as: oversight of RIS (Hospital Information System/Radiology Information System) links, AE titles, individual and user group creation and access management, etc.

vi. Knowledge of VA and other national guidelines pertaining to PACS network, VistA imaging, and database security. vii.

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/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11.

Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position.

Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. Grandfathering Provision.

All persons employed in VHA as a DRT on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and certification that are part of the basic requirements of the DRT occupation.

For employees who do not meet all of the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:(1) DRTs that require a certification, may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journeyman) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.(2) DRTs that require a certification only at higher grade levels must meet the certification requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels.(3) DRTs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.(4) DRTs initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or certification that meet all of the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.(5) Employees who are retained as a DRT under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry as a DRT.

Major Duties:

DRTs perform procedures and examinations in hospitals or clinics under the direction of radiologist and other medical officers.

The objective of the examinations and procedures is to produce radiographic studies that are used in medical diagnosis and interpreted by medical officers to locate injuries, foreign bodies, pathological conditions, or lesions within the body.

All DRTs must be knowledgeable in digital radiology (DR) and picture archiving and communications systems (PACS).

The incumbent provides guidance, instruction, maintenance, and troubleshooting services in the day-to-day operations including but not limited to the Radiology Picture Archive and Communication System (PACS), Voice Recognition (VR), Vista Imaging interface, 3D Systems, and the Radiology package.

The incumbent serves as a specialist providing support in the operation and management of digital image and voice acquisition, processing, storage and display systems within NWI Imaging.

The incumbent is responsible for administration management of major systems including database, LAN, WAN, and telecommunication/wide area networks.

The incumbent will be required to provide 24/7 support of these mission critical systems and devices.

The work involves devising means to maintain continuity of workflow through normal and degraded system conditions; resolving common and unusual operating problems; ensuring that communications are operational for all sites; and working with specialists to develop appropriate operational procedures for new and revised processing and systems software requirements.

The incumbent develops methods and programs to evaluate, monitor and maintain digital imaging and voice recognition systems and serves as a team leader in planning, developing, and instructing users in the operation of PACS network elements, the integration of these with related systems, and recommends corresponding upgrades.

The incumbent researches and/or analyzes problems, issues or program requirements supporting the functions of a digital imaging system; performs complex system administrator functions such as: oversight of RIS (Hospital Information System/Radiology Information System) links necessary to interface with the HIS, Application Entity (AE) titles, individual and user group creation, and access management, system filters, exam code dictionaries, DICOM configuration testing, hanging protocols, voice file exchange, and other duties associated with this position.

The incumbent should have knowledge of all Joint Commission, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and VA standards regarding radiology quality assurance and other technical functions.

This position serves as a liaison for the Office of Information and Technology (OI&T), NWI Biomedical Engineering personnel, VISN Imaging Informatics Coordinator, and VISN PACS Biomedical Engineer.

As a member of the VISN PACS Committee, incumbent is responsible for evaluating the needs of the facility; incumbent reviews, evaluates and recommends replacement or new equipment for VISN purchase and plans and participates in the deployment, installation and acceptance testing of the new products.

Work Schedule: Monday-Thursday 6am-6pm Telework: Maybe available upon supervisor discretion Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized