Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (PACS)

The incumbent is assigned to the PACS Services within the Imaging Department. The incumbent works as the respective modality subject matter expert and serves as a liaison for the Office of Information and Technology (OI&T), Health Technologist Management (HTM) staff and clinical users to ensure the PACS system is configured to optimize imaging including distribution capabilities.

The PACS Technologist will provide professional care 100% of the time within the specialized assignment. This position is expected to be fully flexible in support of the needs of the facility and assignments may include both regular tour and off-tour responsibilities in providing routine and non-routine clinical care. The duties and responsibilities of the PACS Technologist include but are not limited to the following:

• Coordinates a variety of technical processes that require independent judgment, ingenuity and initiative to effectively diagnose patients by using a wide variety of complex image storage systems.
• Maintains contingency plans during equipment downtimes.
• Serves as liaison for Radiology with HTM and OI&T.
• Develops methods and programs to evaluate, monitor, and maintain digital imaging and voice recognition systems.
• Performs 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.
• Implements VA and other national guidelines pertaining to PACS network, VistA imaging, FEHR, CAMM, and database security.
• Perform and reconcile image information correctly and efficiently during technical post processing and evaluation using their knowledge of specific positioning, technique, and imaging procedures.
• Evaluates and adapts quality management procedures and processes as needed.
• Demonstrates understanding of VA and other national guidelines pertaining to department operations, including database security.
• Maintains accurate records, as required by management for quality assurance and quality control purposes in respective modality.
• Understands specific regulatory processes, VA standards regarding radiology quality assurance and other technical functions.
• All other duties as assigned

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 08:00am - 4;30pm.
Compressed/Flexible: Not available.
Telework: Not Available.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 10615F.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: N/A

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.
• Certification: You must be certified in general radiologic technology by the American Registry of Radiologic Technology (ARRT) (R). Advanced ARRT certification is required for Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).
• Education: You must have completed a full-time training course of at least 24 months duration (or the equivalent) in a post-high school diagnostic radiologic technology program, evidenced by a certificate or an associate's degree, accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) or from schools accredited by the ARRT and certification by the ARRT in radiology. (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED)

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: You must possess at least one (1) full year of specialized experience at the GS 10 level that equipped you with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the DIAGNOSTIC RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGIST/ PACS TECHNOLOGIST at the GS-11 level. Specialized experience includes: develops methods and programs to evaluate, monitor and maintain digital imaging and voice recognition systems; serves as 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. This position 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 (Hospital Information System), 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 ensures compliance with all national and VA information and security requirements, including archiving of images to VistA imaging. This position may independently function as a DRT, which may include complex modality such as CT, MR, mammography, ultrasound, and IR.

The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs:

• Knowledge of contingency plans during equipment downtimes.
• Ability to act as liaison for Radiology with biomedical engineering and OI&T.
• Ability to develop methods and programs to evaluate, monitor, and maintain digital imaging and voice recognition systems.
• Ability to lead a team of multidisciplinary members in accomplishing strategic planning and integration of PACS and network elements.
• 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.
• Knowledge of VA and other national guidelines pertaining to PACS network, VistA imaging, and database security.
• 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.

Preferred Experience: PACS Administration experience.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS11.

Physical Requirements: The physical demands of diagnostic radiologic technology include extended periods of walking, bending, and standing. The incumbent must have full range of motion in order to assist patients and control overhead devices and to utilize safe lifting techniques in order to effectively move patients for imaging procedures. There may be extended periods of time using and sitting in front of computers.

Work Environment: To carry out the duties of the position, incumbent may be exposed at times to ionizing radiation, communicable disease and/or chemical or industrial agents.

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/.

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.