Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist/ Picture Archival Communication System (PACS) Technologist

About the company

The Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist/Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) Technologist serves within the Diagnostic Imaging Service at the VA Central Texas Veterans Health Care System (CTVHCS). The incumbent assists the PACS Administrator/Manager in the coordination, operation, maintenance, and optimization of the Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) and associated digital imaging systems throughout the healthcare system.

Your tasks

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Major duties include, but are not limited to: Assists the PACS Administrator/Manager with daily operations, coordination, maintenance, and optimization of PACS and associated digital imaging systems throughout CTVHCS and affiliated Community Based Outpatient Clinics. Independently performs assigned daily PACS operational duties at least 25 percent of the time, including monitoring system performance, evaluating imaging workflows, identifying technical issues, and supporting corrective actions. Monitors and evaluates diagnostic imaging examinations to identify image transmission failures, DICOM errors, dictation status discrepancies, and data integrity issues. Assists in ensuring accurate image acquisition, storage, retrieval, and display across integrated imaging systems. Provides technical support and troubleshooting for PACS workstations, imaging modalities, voice recognition systems, image transmission interfaces, and related hardware and software. Coordinates necessary repairs with OI&T, Biomedical Engineering, and equipment vendors. Collaborates with radiologists, technologists, clinical personnel, OI&T, Biomedical Engineering, and vendors to resolve imaging system issues, improve workflow efficiency, and maintain effective communication between clinical and technical services. Assists with implementation, testing, and evaluation of PACS software upgrades, hardware installations, system modifications, and new imaging technologies. Identifies potential operational problems and recommends appropriate solutions. Coordinates and supports the electronic transmission and exchange of diagnostic images between VA facilities, affiliated outpatient clinics, and contracted Teleradiology Services to facilitate timely interpretation and continuity of patient care. Assists in developing and providing training to radiologists, physicians, technologists, and other clinical users on PACS applications, imaging workstations, voice recognition systems, and related imaging software. Performs assigned quality control activities to verify image integrity, accurate patient and examination identification, appropriate image routing, and successful integration of imaging data across multiple systems. Assists in monitoring system performance, maintaining imaging databases and archives, conducting assigned system backups, and supporting contingency and downtime procedures to ensure continuity of imaging services. Participates in evaluating equipment needs, developing technical recommendations, planning system upgrades, and identifying opportunities to improve the efficiency and reliability of digital imaging operations. Supports compliance with applicable VA information security, patient privacy, departmental quality assurance, and Joint Commission requirements related to diagnostic imaging systems. Prepares technical, administrative, and statistical reports; maintains appropriate system documentation; and provides recommendations to the PACS Administrator/Manager regarding operational improvements. Performs other related duties as assigned in support of Diagnostic Imaging Service operations and the mission of providing quality healthcare to Veterans.

Picture Archive Communication System (PACS) Technologist. The PACS technologist provides support and troubleshoots 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 incumbent may function as a DRT which may include complex modalities such as CT, MR, mammography, ultrasound, and/or IR.

Requirements

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. 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 taken and passed the designated examination. In modalities that require advanced certification, to support their continued development, 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 duration (or the equivalent) in a post-high school diagnostic radiologic technology program, evidenced by a certificate or an associate degree, accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) or from other accrediting agencies as recognized by the Department of Education (DOE). NOTE: Assignment to the clinical program director requires meeting JRCERT minimum educational standards as noted in the assignment description.

Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

English Language Proficiency. DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and7407(d). 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).

Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-9) directly related to the position being filled that demonstrates the clinical competencies described at that level.

The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs:

• Ability to provide support and troubleshoot system application and hardware issues and instruct users in the proper operation of digital image processing, storage and display systems.
• Ability to perform VistA radiology, VistA imaging, and PACS support activities and general ADPAC duties including user access control.
• Ability to initiate repair requests with appropriate services or vendors.
• Knowledge of PACS system infrastructure and functionality.
• Ability to provide training to all user levels in the efficient use of imaging hardware and software of the integrated PACS system.
• 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: Five years or more DRT experience, PACS education Prior experience with Change Healthcare PACS

Accreditation Information: Completion of a full-time training course of at least 24 months in duration (or the equivalent) in a post-high school diagnostic radiologic technology program, evidenced by a certificate or an associate degree, accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT) JRCERT: Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology or from other accrediting agencies as recognized by the Department of Education (DOE). 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/. If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

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 evaluation. 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.

What we offer

Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized

Pay: Competitive salary and 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 of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).

Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) 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 the monthly maximum of $416.66.

Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions

by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

How to apply

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

Other

Work Schedule: Full Time, Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm, rotating on-call, rotating holidays

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

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 56306-F

Grade Determinations: GS-10

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-10.

Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work. Work may also require walking/standing, in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site. Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds.