The PACS technologist primary responsibility is to provide support and troubleshoot 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.

Duties

Duties include but are not limited to: The PACS Technologist has secondary responsibility as back-up support to PACS Technologist Administrator to operational oversight over the Medical Center PACS, and associated devices and systems that are the foundation for the storage, maintenance, and clinical use of radiologic imaging. The majority of work is performed in the Imaging Department; however, some functions require services throughout the Medical Center, and occasionally satellite clinics, homes, and other offsite work. The primary role is to manage the operations related to the integration of PACS with all imaging aligned with community care. The technologist manages the operations by following established SOP's and following policy and guidelines designed to integrate PACS with all Imaging related to Community Care. Obtaining and Importing outside facility images/reports to PACS. Linking Bi-Rads of Outside facility Mammography reports to in-house Imaging Orders. Maintaining essential records related to technologist duties to include but not limited to accounting of disclosure and consult management. Exporting/Sending in-house images/reports to outside facilities. 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. 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 Schedule: Monday thru Friday, 7:30am till 4:00pm Telework: Ad-hoc at the service discretion. Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

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-10 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], or an assistant chief radiologic technologist. The PACS technologist primary responsibility is to provide support and troubleshoot 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 technologist manages the operations, following established SOP's and follows policy and guidelines of the integration of PACS to all Imaging aligned with Community Care to include but not limited to: Obtaining/Importing outside facility images/reports, Exporting/Sending images/reports to outside facilities, and linking Bi-Rads of Outside facility Mammography reports to Imaging Orders. Preferred Experience: PACS Technology administrative and/or technical experience. Change Health Care and or other commercial PACS system experience. Radiology informatics and or VA ADPAC experience. 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]