The PACS Technologist has primary responsibility and operational oversight over the Medical Center PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System), and associated devices and systems that are the foundation for the storage, maintenance, and clinical use of radiologic imaging. The principal duty is to ensure optimal operational effectiveness of the PACS to include efficient end user applications, preventive maintenance, integrity and security of the data, and maximal up time of the system.

Duties

Duties include but are not limited to: Perform or provide oversight of daily PACS operations that ensure image workflow, archiving, auto routing, and other related functions. Ensure timely, comprehensive capture of radiologic exams into the commercial PACS, and into VISTA Imaging, the designated long-term VA archive. Provide oversight of quality control to reconcile images, patient information and radiology reports, and to perform corrective actions as needed. Manage the presentation of current and historical comparison images to the interpreting physician, customize displays, link, or unlink exams as needed to facilitate interpretation and dictation. Monitor exam worklist to ensure timely completion of reports. Administer the importing of outside exams and reports into PACS and VISTA Imaging. Oversee all aspects of implementation of software and upgrades to the PACS and related systems. Apply a variety of monitors of system performance as preventive measures, and to identify and resolve issues in a timely manner. Perform and coordinate preventive maintenance and troubleshooting for PACS and related systems to keep downtime to the lowest possible time. Execute preventive measures such as daily monitoring of system performance, scheduled systems maintenance, both software and hardware, and coordinate maintenance activities to minimize impact on clinical operations. Troubleshooting includes timely identification of issues, systematic analysis of problems and initiation of corrective actions through personal technical expertise and/or collaboration with other subject matter experts. When the PACS or ancillary functions are inoperative, the incumbent serves as the incident leader who integrates the inputs from vendor, OI&T, Biomedical Engineering, and clinical staff to achieve prompt restoration of normal operations. Develop contingency plans for failure of components, or full system, and coordinate periodic testing and refinement of the contingency plans. Contingency planning includes establishing and training back-up for essential PACS administrator functions. Maintain an inventory of PACS and related equipment such as monitors, CPU's, workstations, dictation systems and other hardware for annual accountability as well as for budget development and replacement schedules. Coordinate service to limit disruption of clinical users. Administer the VISTA Radiology package. Assign access keys, create quick orders and menus in collaboration with Clinical Applications Coordinators, perform data extraction and presentation, generate health summaries, and implement various other applications of the Radiology package. Attend ADPAC conference calls. Network with ADPAC's at other medical centers to share best practices. Facilitate the collection and analysis of data using software tools such as macros, Fileman and other enhancements to efficient data gathering and analysis. Provide consultation and assistance in the use of spreadsheets and databases. Work assignments are implicit in the clinical operational duties listed above and comprise a blend of recurring maintenance, long term planning and adaptation to unplanned events with additional specific guidance in special circumstances. Work is reviewed in relation to goals and metrics in the annual Performance Plan, and additional contributions from individual initiative and incidental work assignments that occur throughout the rating period. Work assignments are implicit in the administrative duties listed above and in the annual Performance Plan with additional specific assignments generated by incident needs. The incumbent is responsible to independently manage QC and other administrative functions. Work is reviewed in relation to elements detailed in the annual Performance Plan. Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday, 7:30am till 4:00pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Telework: Ad-hoc at the service discretion.

Requirements

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. 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. Language Proficiency: You must be proficient in spoken and written English. Education: You must have completed a full-time training course of at least 24 months in duration or equivalent in a post-high school diagnostic radiologic technology program. Certification: You must be certified in general radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology, Radiography (ARRT)(R). 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 Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist - PACS (Administrator): 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 needed to provide services as a quality control technologist, DRT team leader, supervisory radiologic technologist, [PACS technologist, clinical program director], or an assistant chief radiologic technologist. The incumbent evaluates new products and equipment and makes recommendations to the supervisor concerning upgrades/new purchases that would improve operations. The incumbent develops and maintains protocol manuals for procedures performed in the section. The incumbent is responsible for implementation and adherence to all safety practices and policies for the section. Experience must demonstrate practice skills in a specialty area or in administration demonstrating progressively more professional competency and judgment. Preferred Experience: PACS Technology Administrative and or Technical experience, experience with change healthcare (McKesson) PACS system and or other commercial PACS systems. Powerscribe 360 voice recognition system, vista radiology informatics and or VA ADPAC. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G25. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. Physical Requirements: : Moderate lifting & carrying (15-44 lbs); Straight pulling and pushing (Up to 7 hours); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking and standing (Up to 7 hours); Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision 20/50 and 20/100; Emotional/mental stability.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address Charles George VA Medical Center 1100 Tunnel Road Asheville, NC 28805 US
• Name: Cesar Busanet
• Phone: 980-401-2564
• Email: [email protected]