Summary GS-11 Picture Archival Communication System (PACS) Technologist This position serves as a liaison for the Office of Information and Technology (OI&T), Biomedical Engineering staff and clinical users to ensure the PACS system is configured to optimize imaging including distribution capabilities. Responsibilities The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being. Duties include, but are not limited to: Research and or/analyzes problems, issues, or program requirements supporting the functions of a digital imaging system. Determines pertinent issues and collects relevant information from a variety of sources. Reviews information and applies standard analytical techniques. Develops recommendations and proposals. Performs RIS/HIS and PACS support activities and general ADPAC duties within Imaging Service and coordinates support throughout the VA Central Iowa Health Care System. Develops methods and programs to evaluate, monitor and maintain digital imaging and voice recognition systems. Ensures that all responsibilities are fulfilled in an efficient, timely, and satisfactory manner. The incumbent is a key member of the PACS Implementation Oversight Group, dedicated the planning, developing, installation and operation of VISN 23 PACS. Uses standard approaches to perform a variety of duties related to digital image support issues. Conducts extensive research and compilation of data from diverse sources. Extracts and assembles information, conducts analysis, and develops reports or presentations. Instructs users in proper operation or works around, and initiates and coordinates repair requests with appropriate services or vendors when necessary. When systems fail to respond to established procedures, consults with technical manuals to arrive at a resolution. Assists bio-medical personnel to investigate system malfunctions to determine the cause. Contacts vendor representatives to determine the cause of problems that do not respond to available problem-solving techniques. Monitors equipment controlling environment and executes emergency procedures in case of natural or man-made disasters and security risk situations. In conjunction with bio-medical personnel, performs daily support in PACS operations. Ensures acceptable levels of system performance by utilizing various tools for monitoring system performance, capacity planning, and imaging management/maintenance to adjust system and operation parameters as necessary. In conjunction with bio-medical personnel, oversees all aspects of implementation of software and upgrades to the PACS system. Identifies and determines training priorities, conducts, and administers training programs, develops, and improves training guidance. Provides training to radiologists and technologists in proper and efficient use of imaging hardware and software and in use of PACS, VR, RIS/HIS. Coordinates with clinical service Clinical Application Coordinators (CACs) in training and development of instructional materials for display of radiographic images at clinical workstations. Assists the Imaging Manager in assessment and procurement of new equipment. Identifies problems, gathers data, performs analysis, and proposes solutions to problems and barriers to establishment of an efficient, cost-effective filmless radiology environment. Provides analysis of user needs and recommends appropriate hardware and software solutions. Assists users with design of local software applications. Maintains communications with vendors, and other sources to ensure that working technical knowledge is always current. Keeps abreast of image-related computer software developments and applications packages throughout the VA and the community as well as current developments in operating systems, imaging systems, data base management systems, and equipment related to hardware used by the commercial PACS systems. Work Schedule: Full-time; Monday-Friday, 7:30-4:00, on-call Telework: If approved, will be on an ad-hoc basis Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment 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. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications All requirements must be met by the close date of this announcement, 12/18/2024 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). 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). Credentialing Standards. Public Law 97-35, 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, Standards for the Accreditation of Educational Programs and the Credentialing of Radiographic Personnel. Essentially, they must have successfully completed an educational program that meets or exceeds the standards described in that regulation and is accredited by an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and be certified as radiographers 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 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-11 Picture Archive Communication System (PACS) Technologist Experience: At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-10, directly related to the position being filled that demonstrates the clinical competencies needed to provide services as a PACS technologist. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): The candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs: i. Knowledge of contingency plans during equipment downtimes. ii. Ability to act as liaison for Radiology with biomedical engineering and OI&T. iii. Ability to develop methods and programs to evaluate, monitor, and maintain digital imaging and voice recognition systems. iv. Ability to lead a team of multidisciplinary members in accomplishing strategic planning and integration of PACS and network elements. v. 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. vi. Knowledge of VA and other national guidelines pertaining to PACS network, VistA imaging, and database security. vii. 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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Preferred Experience: Certifications in the field of PACS or Interventional Radiology preferred The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. 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. For employees who do not meet all of the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: (1) DRTs that require a certification, may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journeyman) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. (2) DRTs that require a certification only at higher grade levels must meet the certification requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels. (3) DRTs who are 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 of the standard. (4) DRTs initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or certification that meet all of the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. (5) Employees who are retained as a DRT under this provision and 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. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application. 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/. Additional Information During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. 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.