Supporting a PACS system might require different skills, and, if the PACS system is of a suffiently large scale, different people having these skills. The overview below lists typical competencies of three categories of PACS support professionals, which also follows the certification as provided by PARCA.
PACS Associate
Scope of Position
The PACS Associate is responsible for the image and information
integrity of the PACS. This individual also acts as a digital imaging
activities liaison within the department and to other departments. The PACS
Associate reports to the PACS System Analyst, Interface Analyst, or Manager.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
·
Responsible for day-to-day PACS operations including
image workflow, archiving, autorouting, prefetching, and other related
activities.
·
Works closely with unit operations managers to
ensure timely and complete capture of DICOM image data into the PACS as well as
network transmission, RIS validation, and exception handling.
·
Investigates, identifies, and prepares proposals
to solve problems within all applicable operational areas, working closely with
unit operations managers and division heads and involving the next level of
administration as needed.
·
Reviews feedback from end users, compiles and
analyzes support data, and recommends procedural and educational changes as
appropriate.
·
Works closely with radiology quality management
personnel to identify future needs and to design efficient workflow processes.
·
Attends seminars and training sessions as
appropriate.
·
Ensures all applicable department, hospital, and
JCAHO guidelines are met.
·
Performs other functions as required and
assigned.
Qualifications
- Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in related healthcare discipline or information systems discipline required.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills required.
- Must be able to work effectively with diverse groups of people.
- Ability to work well under pressure and on concurrent multidisciplinary projects.
- Familiarity with specific radiology- and imaging-specific applications such as orthopedic templating, 3D reconstruction, and speech recognition.
PACS System Analyst
Scope of Position
The PACS System Analyst is responsible for the clinical aspects
of image and information integrity of the PACS. Additionally, this individual
will act as a liaison in digital imaging initiatives within the department and
other departments. The PACS System Analyst reports to the senior IT manager or
the radiology administrator, with accountability to both the clinical and IT
departments.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
·
Responsible for day-to-day PACS operations including
image workflow, archiving, autorouting, prefetching, and other related
activities.
·
Works closely with unit operations managers to
ensure timely and complete capture of DICOM image data into the PACS as well as
network transmission, RIS validation, and exception handling.
·
Investigates, identifies, and prepares proposals
to solve specific operational problems within all applicable operational areas,
working closely with unit operations managers and division heads as well as
involving the next level of administration as appropriate.
·
Works closely with the senior IT manager to
develop operating standards, policies, and procedures.
·
Reviews feedback from end users, compiles and
analyzes support data, and recommends procedural and educational changes as
appropriate.
·
Works closely with radiology quality management
personnel to identify future needs and to design efficient workflow processes.
·
Primary person responsible for generating and
maintaining workflow diagrams and analysis of PACS operations.
·
Responsible for budget preparation and monitoring
of the operating budget.
·
Prepares reports for administration on all
aspects of PACS operations as appropriate or directed.
·
Attends and participates in
departmental/hospital meetings.
·
Attends seminars and training sessions to
maintain appropriate level of professional competence.
·
Ensures all applicable department, hospital, and
JCAHO guidelines are met.
·
Performs other functions as required and
assigned.
Qualifications
- Four or more years of related experience in a clinical setting required.
- Bachelor's degree in related healthcare discipline or information systems discipline required.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills required.
- Must be able to work effectively with diverse groups of people.
- Ability to work well under pressure and on concurrent multidisciplinary projects.
- Familiarity with specific radiology- and imaging-specific applications, such as orthopedic templating, 3D reconstruction, and speech recognition.
PACS Interface Analyst
Scope of Position
The PACS Interface Analyst is responsible for the technical
aspects of image and information integrity of the PACS. Additionally, this
individual will act as a liaison in digital imaging initiatives within the
department and other departments. The PACS Interface Analyst reports to the
senior IT manager or the radiology administrator, with accountability to both
the clinical and IT departments.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
·
Responsible for day-to-day PACS operations including
image workflow, archiving, autorouting, prefetching, and other related
activities.
·
Works closely with unit operations managers to
ensure timely and complete capture of DICOM image data into the PACS as well as
network transmission, RIS validation, and exception handling.
·
Investigates, identifies, and prepares proposals
to solve specific problems within all applicable operational areas, working
closely with unit operations managers and division heads as well as involving
the next level of administration as appropriate.
·
Works closely with the senior IT manager to
develop operating standards, policies, and procedures.
·
Reviews feedback from end users, compiles and
analyzes support data, and recommends procedural and educational changes as
appropriate.
·
Works closely with radiology quality management
personnel to identify future needs and to design efficient workflow processes.
·
Primary person responsible for generating and
maintaining technical diagrams and configuration drawings (including assigned AE
titles and software versions).
·
Responsible for budget preparation and monitoring
of the operating budget.
·
Works with the corporate director of medical
imaging and the administrative director of radiology to identify present and
future needs for equipment installation.
·
Oversees activities of vendors in all phases of
installation and implementation of new systems.
·
Prepares reports for administration on all
aspects of PACS operations as appropriate or directed.
·
Attends and participates in
departmental/hospital meetings.
·
Attends seminars and training sessions to
maintain appropriate level of professional competence.
·
Ensures all applicable department, hospital, and
JCAHO guidelines are met.
·
Performs other functions as required and
assigned.
Qualifications
- Four or more years of related experience in a healthcare IT setting required.
- Bachelor’s degree in related healthcare discipline or information systems discipline required. Master’s degree in related field preferred.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills required.
- Must be able to work effectively with diverse groups of people.
- Ability to work well under pressure and on concurrent multidisciplinary projects.
- Proficiency in various OS and database systems.
- Familiarity with specific radiology- and imaging-specific applications such as orthopedic templating, 3D reconstruction, and speech recognition
