What are the responsibilities and job description for the PACS Administrator position at Mount Nittany Health?
POSITION SUMMARY
Plans, implements, monitors and maintains day-to-day operations of the Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) and the Radiology Information System (RIS). Acts as a liaison in information technology projects related to Diagnostic Imaging.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of experience and education.
Experience:
- Five years experience in Diagnostic Imaging.
- Two years PACS and RIS experience.
- Supervisory experience is preferred.
- Experience and proven ability in compiling, analyzing and summarizing data and trouble shooting system problems.
- Proficiency in office automation systems.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
- Possess good oral and written communication skills and a cooperative personality for dealing with other hospital departments, medical staff, patients and the community.
- Knowledge of JCAHO and HIPPA regulations with regards to PACS.
- Knowledge of HL7 messaging, Dicom standards, network infrastructure and WEB technology.
- Knowledge of healthcare business processes in relation to PACS to support the processes within an integrated delivery system.
- Knowledge of installation and maintenance of PACS software and hardware.
- Strong interpersonal and management skills with the ability to coach and educate others on the system.
- Exceptional computer software and systems skills.
- Possess a strong desire to learn and the ability to learn quickly.
- Ability to be self-motivated and work independently.
- Knowledge of EHR systems.
License/Certification/Registration:
None
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Receives minimal supervision from the Administrative Director of Radiology.
SUPERVISION GIVEN
Does not have direct reports, but provides guidance, direction and training to all radiology staff in the use and implementation of the Medical Center’s PACS system.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Works closely with department section heads to ensure timely and complete capture of DICOM digital image data into the PACS system as well as network transmissions, RIS validation and exceptions handling.
- Maintains system security through assignment of user privileges. Assures accounts are created and correct privileges are assigned. Creates individual and generic accounts as needed. Assigns privileges to correct personnel as per workflow needs.
- Maintains exams built in PACS and how they are mapped to procedures.
- Checks the process monitors as needed to ensure that studies are flowing from modalities to archive, routing to display monitors and interfaces.
- Performs regular inspections to ensure that all equipment is well maintained and operating in a safe work environment.
- Repairs broken or corrupted studies; splits and merges studies as needed. Performs corrections, deletions as needed to patient folders.
- Maintains the configuration section of the management pages of PACS as new modalities, workstations and RIS codes are added.
- Plans for the integration of all new modalities as they are acquired.
- Oversees vendor activities in all phases of installation and implementation of new system.
- Creates and maintains work lists as needed (Radiologists or modality and sorted by priority).
- Plans, coordinates, tests and implements software upgrades in conjunction with IT department.
- Works closely with Radiology Quality Management personnel to identify and design future needs and efficient workflow processes which include further integration into operations.
- Provides input to Radiology Administrative Director to assist in identifying present and future operational and capital budget needs for PACS equipment.
- Works with physicians and other end-users to determine what system customization is required. Configures each workstation in accordance with end-user specifications.
- Assures a workflow program is established, followed and maintained.
- Troubleshoots system errors as they arise.
- Reports and documents equipment problems, keeping all users appraised during equipment downtime.
- Responsible for QA/QC accreditation.
- Maintains a secure lost list with IP addresses of all equipment connected on the PACS network.
- Maintains a secure record of all PACS equipment, with physical location, hardware configuration, date and time of installation, date and time of both soft and hardware upgrades and software revisions.
- Performs QC as indicated for PACS related hardware, including but limited to monitors, CR/DR systems and reading stations.
- Maintains the operation of all software products interfaced with the PACS system.
- Develops and maintains policies and procedures that insure compliance with JCAHO and HIPPA with regards to electronic imaging.
- Reviews feedback from system users. Collects and analyzes support data. Recommends procedural and educational changes as appropriate.
- Maintains necessary technical skills and theoretical knowledge of the PACS system procedures and processes; insures staff and clinicians are properly trained and updates the training as necessary; assists end users with PACS related questions; identifies and trains super users.
- Manages and coordinates activities that require intra-departmental effort between hospital IT personnel, radiology personnel, and PACS vendor representatives.
- Acts as point of contact for vendor service, to request assistance through remote dial up and on-site service.
- Acts as a point of contact to coordinate all upgrades to PACS system and HIS/RIS systems that will affect the PACS system.
- Develops and maintains relationships with the Medical Staff to assist in creating and maintaining effective channels of communications.
- Serves as a liaison with hospital departments and the Medical Staff to promote delivery of quality, cost effective patient care.
- Works to ensure that information is disseminated from all levels and effectively communicated to all levels of the organization.
- Communicates with department staff through regular staff meetings and other communication tools.
- Assists Radiologists in adjusting and changing “hanging” protocols as needed.
NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Performs related and miscellaneous duties as assigned.
