Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to current facility employees of the Saint Louis VA Healthcare System ONLY. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

Videos

VA Careers - Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist: https://youtube.com/embed/I-4ku5UMvWM

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

Picture Archival Communication System (PACS) Technologists use their knowledge of radiology workflow and processes in conjunction with a specialized technical skillset to support and troubleshoot image processing, display, and storage systems. The PACS technologist also provides oversight and support of PACS display workstations, interfaces, secondary applications, speech recognition and other hardware that is critical to departmental efficiency and throughput. The PACS technologist ensures the effective capture, storage, and retrieval of medical imaging data, while maintaining system integrity, performance, and security. The PACS Technologist will coordinate with the Diagnostic Imaging Service (DIS) physicians, DIS Administrative Officer (AO), DIS technologists, clinical services, the Office of Information and Technology (OIT), Health Technology Management (HTM), the Health Informatics (HI) service, and vendors to ensure optimal use of the PACS, and to provide end-user support and training.

Major Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Manage the overall operation of the PACS, voice recognition system, CAD, all imaging-related AI applications, and transfer of medical imaging, including configuration, implementation, and maintenance
• Ensure system availability, performance, and reliability, and address any technical issues promptly
• Oversee the archiving, storage, and retrieval of medical imaging data
• Monitor data integrity and implement disaster recovery procedures to prevent data loss
• Develop and maintain user documentation and training materials
• Troubleshoot and resolve end-user issues and the transfer of medical imaging
• Conduct regular system audits to ensure data accuracy and system performance
• Participate in regular performance testing and validation processes
• Participate in interdepartmental meetings and committees as needed by the DIS Service Chief/Deputy Service Chief
• Ensure PACS and medical imaging data transfer operations comply with federal, state, and local regulations, including those related to data security and patient privacy
• Serve as the main point of contact and technical subject matter expert for the VASTLHCS Federal Electronic Health Record Modernization (FEHRM) project
• Ensure all projects related to the PACS, voice recognition system, CAD, all imaging-related AI applications, EHR, and medical imaging data transfer are completed on time and within scope

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday | 7:30 am - 4:00 pm CST
Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized
Telework: Available (Ad-hoc, as determined by agency policy.)
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
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 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).
• 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 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. 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).
  1. 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.
  2. 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. This exception only applies at the GS-5 entry level technician. For grade levels above the entry level, the candidate must be certified. Temporary appointments of non-certified DRTs may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment.
  3. 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.

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: In addition to the basic requirements for appointment, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates:

Diagnostic Radiologic (PACS) Technologist, GS-11

• Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to 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.
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. 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 1 year of experience in PACS administration or medical imagining technology.
• Proficiency in PACS, Radiology Information Systems (RIS), and Hospital Information Systems (HIS) interfaces.
• Strong Knowledge of DICOM, HL7 standards, and enterprise architecture as it pertains to medical imaging.
• Excellent problem solving, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a dynamic healthcare environment.

Preferred Certifications:

• Certified Imaging Informatics Professional (CIIP)
• PACS Administration Certificate (PACS)

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

This position is above the full performance level. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-11.

Physical Requirements: The work potentially requires moderately long periods of standing and walking. There is some bending, lifting and carrying of light items such as CR film cassettes. There is occasional moderate exertion such as lifting multi-exposure film cassettes or assisting other technicians in lifting and positioning patients. Heavy lifting of totally incapacitated patients is done only with the help of other employees.

How you will be evaluated

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

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

1. Current permanent VA employees of the facility.

Note: Veterans' Preference is not applicable to VA employees.

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.

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.