Program Specialist

Summary

The Education and Learning Resources Program Specialist (Picture Archiving and Communication System Administrator) GS-9 target 11, responsible for the coordination of various activities related to devices which utilize Picture Archiving and communication System (PACS), Clinical Procedures (CP) or Digital Imaging and Communication in Medicine (DICOM) at the Orlando VA Medical Center (OVAMC). This specialist is the PACS administrator for the Orlando VAMC clinical services and its subspecialties.

Learn more about this agency

Duties

Help

The incumbent is responsible for coordinating the implementation, strategic planning, management, and subsequent maintenance of advanced medical device interfaces to the VistA Clinical Procedures and VistA Imaging applications which are associated with, and serve as part of the Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS). These medical systems (devices) include, but will not be limited to, Olympus Endoworks System (GI and Pulmonary endoscopy equipment); the Sensormedics/Carefusion Vmax Encore PFT (Pulmonary Function Test) system; Natus XLTEK, Encore, and Nicolet systems (Sleep and Neurology equipment); Philips Excelera and GE Healthcare MUSE system (Cardiology equipment); and networked medical devices or DICOM systems. The incumbent serves as Program Manager for the CPACS and other medical equipment within the Orlando VAMC clinical services. He/She coordinates system operations, contacts with vendors, technical support, and plans for the future expansion and integration of the system into clinical programs. The incumbent provides training and assistance to physicians, residents, technicians, and other clinicians

These duties include, but are not limited to:

• Coordinates system operations, contacts with vendors, technical support, and plans for the future expansion and integration of the system into clinical programs.
• Oversight of the daily back up of the system(s) databases.
• Managing system security.
• Coordinating all maintenance, software support, and quality control of the CPACS and various other modalities.
• Developing training guides and materials.
• Managing the jukebox archive and the backup tape archive.
• Fixing broken studies and splitting, merging, or deleting studies resulting from user error.
• Monitoring system processes and network functions.
• Managing system configuration, including DICOM interfaces to the imaging modalities, the Clinical Procedure package, and other packages in the VistA system.
• Identifies growth needs and/or necessary budget requests for submission to the Chief of Health Informatics.
• Assists O&IT personnel in developing programs and/or upgrades to existing programs to enhance all modality capabilities.
• Maintains records of users, and updates user files as necessary.
• Provides technical oversight for users who are assigned to PACS and other subspecialty modality tasks.
• Provides first-line trouble shooting with all computer hardware, software and network systems, coordinating outside service as needed.
• Communicates with the other PACS program Specialists and subspecialty modality users nationwide in order to coordinate system utilization and new developments.
• Works with the O&IT personnel to ensure that risk management is applied on information systems that will maintain the information assurance posture throughout the system's life cycle and ensure compliance with VA security policies and practices.
• May serve on special task forces, both VISN-wide and nationally.
• Coordinates and sets priority for special requests for various Orlando VAMC Clinical Service Sections/Hospital Services.
• Coordinates review station placement, etc., and assists users with problems or complaints
• Serves, and is trained, as a Contracting Officer Representative (COR) for various equipment and software contracts.
• Responsible for protecting that data from unauthorized release or from loss, alteration, or unauthorized deletion; and following applicable regulations and instructions regarding access to computerized files, release of access codes, etc., as set out in an automated information system security access agreement that the employee signs.

Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00AM-4:30PM

Telework: This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Program Specialist/ PD07141A and PD06996A

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not approved

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required.
• 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 ( 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.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period 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 probationary period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 10/19/2026.

Time-In-Grade Requirement : Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

• For a GS-09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07.
• For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09.

You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:

Program Specialist GS-09

• Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-7 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: resolving problems or complaints; assisting with identifying problem areas and suggesting solutions or alternatives; explaining policies and procedures; keeping accurate records and preparing reports and/or written correspondence. NOTE: Experience must be fully documented on your resume and must include job title, duties, month and year start/end dates AND hours worked per week. OR,
• Education: Successfully completed two (2) years of progressively higher-level graduate education or masters or equivalent graduate degree or LL.B. or J.D., in a related field of the position to be filled. Education at the graduate level must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. ~OR~
• Combination: Combinations of successfully completed graduate level education (beyond the first year) and specialized experience as described above, to meet the total experience requirements. The education portion must include graduate courses that demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do to the work of this position. This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. Experience must be clearly indicated in your resume.

Program Specialist GS-11

• Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-9 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: providing a high degree of support to a director/manager of a complex program; managing the administrative functions and coordinating workload within a large organization; ensuring program compliance with policy and regulations; implementing process improvement initiatives; and preparing correspondence. OR,
• Education: Successfully completed three (3) years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree, or Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree in the related field of the position to be filled. The education portion must include courses that demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. Education must have been obtained in an accredited college, or university. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. ~OR~
• Combination: Combinations of successfully completed graduate level education beyond the first 2 years and specialized experience as described above to meet total experience requirements. The education portion must include graduate courses that demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do to the work of this position. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. Experience must be clearly indicated in your resume.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at

Preferred Experience-

• Knowledge of PACS/Middleware/Modality systems-
• General Knowledge-
• Computers
• Networking
• Digital Storage
• Information Security
• Process Flow
• Project Management
• Knowledge of DICOM, CPRS, VistA Application, and CP Procedures
• Knowledge of clinical processes in specialty medicine and surgery

Education

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: 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:

Additional information

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments.

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave : Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

The Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website at

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Help

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.