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

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, 30 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. This position serves as a liaison for the Office of Information and Technology (Ol&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. The incumbent sets forth alternatives, weighs costs and benefits, and makes recommendations for modifications, replacement, or new purchases. This activity is performed as part of the VISN PACS Team under the direction of the VISN Imaging Informatics Coordinator and/or VISN Biomedical Project Engineer. Travel to NWI facilities for troubleshooting and routine maintenance of PACS related systems/issues as needed. Occasional local travel for setup/troubleshooting of in-home telerad workstations Work Schedule: 7a-4p, with 1 Friday off each pay period, on-call duties Telework: 1 day a month, will be communicated during interview Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

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). 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). 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. Loss of Credential: An employee in this occupation who fails to obtain certification within two years, or who fails to maintain the required certification must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment. English 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: 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. GS-10 Experience: At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-9) directly related to the position being filled that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level. AND 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. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G25, Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist Qualification Standard, dated December 13, 2019. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-10. 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 the evaluation or examination.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address VA Nebraska-Western Iowa HCS - Omaha 4101 Woolworth Avenue Omaha, NE 68105 US
• Name: Glenda Abfalter
• Phone: 3202556480 X5201
• Email: [email protected]