Clarification from the agency

Open to all U.S. Citizens. Applicant will be referred in the following order: current permanent Orlando VA HCS Employees, Other current permanent VA employees, current permanent employees of other federal agencies, any remaining U.S. Citizens. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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The Picture Archive Communication System (PACS) Technologist serves as a specialist providing support in the operation and management of digital image processing, storage, and display and is responsible for training Radiologists/Physicians, Diagnostic Radiologic Technologists, Clinicians, and other staff members in hardware/software applications needed to support Radiology PACS functions. The PACS Technologist duties include, but are not limited to:

PACS Technologist duties - 75%

• Provides planning, guidance, instruction, maintenance, training, and troubleshooting in all PACS related systems/components.
• Provides first line, technical support, for image transmission, voice recognition, and image display errors within all imaging modalities.
• Initiates appropriate repairs when possible and instructs users in the proper operation or contingency processes.
• Initiates help tickets and/or work orders when the scope of work needed exceeds the on-site technical level.
• Investigates system malfunctions to determine the root cause of the issue.
• Defines and isolates specific issues using available diagnostic recovery techniques and initiates corrective actions.
• Monitors PACS and executes contingency operations in the event of planned and unplanned downtimes, disaster responses, or elevated security risk situations.
• Oversees all aspects of implementation of software and upgrades to the PACS system including VISN 8 primary and backup data centers.
• Set up PACS Workstations for Radiologists at all sites of care, including remote PACS Workstations. This includes the assembly, set up, configuration, calibration, and confirmation testing for all PACS related components including the actual workstation (desk), monitors/mounts, keyboards, mouse/touch pad, voice recognition system, and any additional PACS-related items requested by the end users.
• Monitors PACS, voice recognition, and other related systems including applications systems, network interface software, modality interfaces, and system administrative software.
• Evaluates system performance by utilizing various tools, capacity planning, and imaging maintenance to adjust system and operation parameters as necessary.
• Designs, implements, and maintains a quality control program for digital radiographic images to include, but not necessarily restricted to evaluation of image quality from modality to viewing monitor.

Clinical Duties DRT - 25%

• Performs technical work in support of diagnostic radiology under the direction of a Radiologist/Physician.
• Operates digital, computerized, or conventional radiology equipment to carry out the diagnostic plan for patients. This may include fixed, portable, and surgical imaging equipment.
• Determines appropriate technical parameters; calculates the correct exposure factors of distance, time, kilovoltage (kV), and milliamperage (mA).
• Independently performs radiographic examinations of the head, trunk, spine, and extremities to assist in the diagnosis of injury or illness.
• As a team member with the Radiologist, the incumbent will perform fluoroscopy procedures, such as: Upper Esophagrams, Lumbar Punctures, Myelograms, Urethrograms, GI Procedures, Barium (Single/Double Contrast), and all other routine fluoroscopy procedures.
• Sets up the room and ensure sterile supplies, local anesthetics, contrast material, catheters, and other required supplies are present and prepared
• Provides intraoperative/post-operative fluoroscopy and diagnostic radiography as requested by the Operative Surgeon or appropriately credentialed Clinician.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday; 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized
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)
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)
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 80746F
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

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.
• 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 dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must complete a 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.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications requirements at time of application.

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.
• English Language Proficiency. DRTs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d).
• Certification-Documentation Submitted. 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-Transcript Submitted. 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).

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 for Picture Archive Communication System Technologist, GS-11:

• Experience-(If applicable SF-50 Submitted). Candidates must have at least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-10) directly related o the position being filled that demonstrates the clinical competencies needed to provide services as a quality control technologist, DRT team leader, supervisory radiologic technologist, PACS technologist, clinical program director, or an assistant chief radiologic technologist.
  • Examples of experience for the PACS technologist at the GS-10 grade level includes, but is not limited to: 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.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience listed above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following technical KSAs:
  • Knowledge of contingency plans during equipment downtimes.
  • Ability to act as 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 RIS (Hospital Information System/Radiology Information System) links, AE 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 he/she will be able to perform and reconcile image information correctly and efficiently during technical post processing and evaluation.

Preferred Experience: Minimum of three years experience as a PACS administrator at a large facility and able to provide remote access support as necessary.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: The physical demands of the work include: Heavy Lifting, 45 pounds and over, moderate carrying, 15-45 pounds, pushing up to 4 hours; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers, good dexterity (both hands required); prolonged walking, prolonged standing; repeated bending; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20; ability to distinguish basic colors; hearing (hearing aid permitted); speed in working; and emotional stability. Must have the ability to stand and work while wearing lead apron for possibly long periods of time. English language proficiency.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

This vacancy will have an initial cut-off date of February 27th, 2026 in which the first round of applicants will be referred to the selecting official for consideration. Any additional applicants will be referred in the order they applied.

Area of Consideration - Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order:

1. Current permanent VA employees of the facility.
2. All other VA employees.
3. All other federal applicants.
4. Remaining U.S. Citizens

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

NOTE: Waiver of Veterans Preference for Occupational Series GS-0647. Although hybrid title 38 occupations follow title 5 Veterans' preference rules, as required by the Merit Systems Protection Board (Graves v. VA, 117 M.S.P.R. 697 (2012)), 38 U.S.C. § 7412 waives the requirement to apply Veterans' preference to external applicants for appointments made during the fiscal year to hybrid title 38 occupations among those reported to have the largest staffing shortages.

Veterans Preference has been waived for the GS-0647 Occupational Series through September 30, 2026.