Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist - PACS Technologist

Summary The DRT-PACS serves as a Radiology PACS/Imaging Systems Specialist with primary responsibility for maintaining image and report interoperability across multiple VA and non-VA sites. Duties VA Careers

• Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist: Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist/PACS provides technical support for PACS, VistA/CPRS, voice recognition, DICOM interfaces, imaging workstations, and related systems. Works closely with the PACS team, OI&T, Biomedical Engineering/HTM, vendors, technologists, radiologists, and other clinical services to maintain reliable imaging operations, troubleshoot system issues, support upgrades, and ensure timely transmission, display, archiving, and integration of diagnostic images and reports. Duties: Maintain reliable image and report interoperability among Durham, remote VA sites, HSA/VISN systems, and external facilities including electronic imaging/report transfer and CD burning/upload. Knowledge of radiology operations and digital imaging workflows. Knowledge of PACS, DICOM, VistA/CPRS, voice recognition, imaging interfaces, and basic networking/database concepts. Ability to troubleshoot complex hardware, software, connectivity, and image transmission issues. Ability to analyze data, develop reports, and support quality improvement and system performance initiatives. Ability to communicate technical information effectively to radiologists, technologists, clinicians, engineers, and administrative staff. Ability to manage multiple priorities independently and adapt to changing technical and operational requirements. Provide daily technical support for PACS, VistA/CPRS, RIS, voice recognition, DICOM interfaces, workstations, and related imaging applications. Monitor imaging interfaces and investigate/correct image transmission, display, dictation, and report integration failures. Coordinate with OI&T, HTM/Biomedical Engineering, vendors, CITC and other PACS team members to resolve technical issues. Support PACS/IT system implementations, upgrades, testing, maintenance, and contingency/downtime procedures. Manage radiology system access, user accounts, security requirements, and appropriate application permissions. Provide training and technical guidance to radiologists, technologists, clinicians, residents, and other users. Support VistA Radiology/CPRS functions, including procedures, codes, user access, and system changes. Develop and maintain quality control and performance improvement processes for imaging systems and digital image quality. Extract and analyze operational/workload data and prepare reports or ad hoc data sets as requested. Assist with assessment, integration, and procurement of imaging hardware and software. Maintain documentation and compliance with applicable VA, VHA, regulatory, accreditation, privacy, and security requirements. Customer Service: Provides seamless, professional, courteous, and solution-focused service to internal and external customers. Establishes effective working relationships with HTM/Biomedical Engineering, OI&T, technologists, radiologists, clinicians, administrative staff, vendors, and other VA and non-VA partners. Communicates clearly, responds promptly to problems, and maintains a collaborative approach, particularly during high-priority clinical or system-impacting events. Work Schedule: Monday
• Friday 8:00am
• 4:30pm, rotational call Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): 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) 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) Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Qualifications 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. 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. 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.] 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. Exception for Non-Certified, Entry Level Candidates. Non-certified DRTs who otherwise meet the eligibility requirements for ARRT (R) certification may be given a temporary appointment as a graduate DRT under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(c)(2)(B). The appointing official may waive the requirement of certification for a period not to exceed two years for a DRT that provides care under the supervision of a certified DRT at or above the full performance level. Loss of Credential. An employee in this occupation who fails to obtain certification within two years, or who fails to maintain the required certification must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment. 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), and 7407(d).

Grade Requirements.

Creditable Experience Knowledge of Current Radiologic Technology Practice. To be creditable, experience must have demonstrated possession of the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics (also referred to as clinical competencies) associated with current radiologic technology practice. This may have been evidenced by the equivalent of one year of active practic