Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (PACS Technologist)

Summary The Wilmington VA Medical Center is recruiting for a Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (PACS Technologist). The Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (PACS Technologist) will function in Diagnostic Imaging Service. The local VA Community Care department is the "clinic" that coordinates all patient services for Veterans outside the VA Healthcare System. Qualifications Applicants pending 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: Be a citizen of the United States. 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 has passed the designated examination. In modalities that require advanced certification, 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 a post‑high school diagnostic radiologic technology program (or the equivalent) evidenced by a certificate or an associate degree accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) or other recognized accrediting agencies. Credentialing Standards: 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. Essentially, the applicant must have successfully completed an educational program that meets or exceeds those regulations and is accredited by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and be certified as a radiographer 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 the Grandfathering Provision described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). 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. Employees who do not meet all basic requirements but met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time of appointment can be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance level, or changed to a lower grade within the occupation but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. DRTs that require certification only at higher grade levels must meet the certification requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels. DRTs 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. DRTs grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain additional education and/or certification that meet all basic requirements must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment. Employees retained as a DRT under this provision who 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. Grade Determinations: Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist – GS‑11 experience: At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled. Examples of specialized experience include providing support and troubleshooting system application issues, instructing users in the proper operation of digital image processing, storage, and display systems, performing VistA radiology, VistA imaging, and PACS support activities and general ADPAC duties including user access control, coordinating contingency plans during equipment downtimes, initiating repair requests with appropriate services or vendors, providing oversight of hardware related to PACS display workstations, applications, speech recognition hardware, and other medical imaging hardware, training radiologists, technologists, and other clients in the proper and efficient use of imaging hardware and software of the integrated PACS and VistA imaging systems, and providing instruction and guidance in daily operations of ancillary systems such as speech recognition dictation, dose reporting systems, contrast reporting systems, etc. Assignments: This position serves as a liaison for the Office of Information and Technology, Biomedical Engineering staff, and clinical users to ensure the PACS system is configured to optimize imaging including distribution capabilities, develops methods and programs to evaluate, monitor, and maintain digital imaging and voice recognition systems, serves as a team leader in planning, developing, and instructing users in the operation of PACS network elements and the integration of these with related systems, and recommends corresponding upgrades. Research: This position researches and/or analyzes problems, issues, or program requirements supporting the functions of a digital imaging system. Complex System Administration: Performs complex system administrator functions such as oversight of Hospital Information System/Radiology Information System links necessary to interface with the Hospital Information System – Application Entity 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. Compliance: The incumbent ensures compliance with all national and VA information and security requirements, including archiving of images to VistA imaging. Independent Function: This position may independently function as a DRT, which may include complex modalities such as CT, MR, mammography, ultrasound, and IR. Technical KSAs: Knowledge of contingency plans during equipment downtimes; ability to act as a 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 Hospital Information System/Radiology Information System links, Application Entity 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 the incumbent can perform and reconcile image information correctly and efficiently during technical post‑processing and evaluation. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit Duties VA Careers – Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist: Total Rewards of an Allied Health Professional. Picture Archival Communication System (PACS) Technologist: Technologists working in this special assignment use their knowledge of radiology workflow and processes in conjunction with a specialized technical skillset to support and troubleshoot image processing, display, and storage systems. The PACS technologist also provides oversight and support of PACS display workstations, interfaces, secondary applications, speech recognition, and other hardware that is critical to departmental efficiency and throughput. Duties of a Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist (PACS Technologist) include researching and/or analyzing problems, issues, or program requirements supporting the functions of a digital imaging system. Determine pertinent issues and collect relevant information from a variety of sources, review information, and apply standard analytical techniques. Develop methods and programs to evaluate, monitor, and maintain the systems. Plan, install, test, and implement application systems, networking interface software, and system administrative software. Provide reports related to Imaging Service as requested by the Chief of Imaging and/or the Chief Technologist. Evaluate test results and work with the Chief Technologist and other service points of contact to initiate remediation, maintenance, and ensure optimal equipment performance, program quality, and workflow. Practice radiation safety to reduce exposure to patients, staff, and self. Work schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Recruitment incentive (sign‑on bonus): Not authorized. Permanent change of station (relocation assistance): Not authorized. Pay: Competitive salary with regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs. Paid time off: 37–50 days of annual paid time per year (13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid federal holidays). Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work experience or military service experience. Parental leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child care subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full‑time employees with a total family income below $144 000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children, up to a monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5‑year vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% contributions by VA. Insurance: Federal health, vision, dental, term life, long‑term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement). Telework: Available; Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional statement #: 000000. Permanent change of station (PCS): Not authorized. #J-18808-Ljbffr U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs