Summary The Phoenix VA Health Care System is recruiting for one Program Application Specialist, in the Radiology & Nuclear Medicine Service. The position is at the Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center, in the Imaging Department. The primary responsibility of the incumbent is to provide guidance, instruction, maintenance, and troubleshooting services, in the day-to-day operations of the Picture Archive and Communications System (PACS). The position works under the direction of the PACS Manager. Responsibilities 30 Day Hiring Model The Department of Veterans Affairs is implementing a streamlined 30-Day Hiring Model designed to accelerate hiring while maintaining the highest standards of merit-based selection. This improved process reduces traditional hiring timelines by integrating early coordination, faster assessments, and efficient pre-employment actions. Applicants can expect a more transparent, predictable, and efficient hiring journey from announcement to entry on duty. What Applicants Can Expect Expedited Candidate Review Once the announcement closes, Human Resources will quickly review applications, issue certificates of eligible candidates the day after the announcement closes and refer applicants for hiring manager consideration. Quick Interviews & References HR may arrange interviews and will request references within 3-5 days after being referred to the hiring manager. Streamlined Pre-Employment Requirements: Following a tentative offer, applicants should be prepared to complete required steps, such as fingerprinting and background check, credentialing, and medical examination within 3 days of the offer. Clear and Timely Communication: Applicants will receive clear communication at key milestones, including referral, tentative offer, and onboarding instructions. After meeting pre-employment requirements, candidates will receive a final job offer and start date. Onboarding tasks may continue after starting, with HR ensuring timely completion for a smooth transition into VA service. If selected, applicants should be prepared to come onboard within 30 days of the announcement closing. The Program Application Specialist is knowledgeable in computer systems, and imaging systems in a LAN, and WAN based environment. They must have knowledge of imaging concepts consisting of Fluoroscopy/Radiography, Nuclear Medicine, Vascular/Interventional, Cardiology, Computed Tomography, Mammography, Ultrasound and Magnetic Resonance Imaging modalities, to perform their duties throughout the Phoenix Healthcare System. The major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to: Oversees the processing of image film requests, and imaging report requests from the Release of Information (ROI) Department, to Physicians outside of the Medical Center. Responds in a timely manner on all reports requested by the Chief of Radiology. Communicates and treats customers (Veterans, their representatives, visitors, and all other VA Staff) in a courteous tactful and respectful manner. Handles conflict and problems in dealing with the customer constructively and appropriately. Ensures digital image quality standards, and post-processing parameters are maximized for the best clinical results. Provides training on image management, image archive, workstation functionality and film digitizers. Provides computer training on software applications, procedures, and processes used in the Imaging Department and its affiliated departments. Generates the incomplete exam report twice daily and providing the Chief of Radiology with the information on the exams that cannot be corrected without staff intervention. Analyzes problems and determines the appropriate course of action required to correct problems. Resolves technical problems with hardware, software application, system, and user access. Collaborates with comprehensive technical imaging team (Information Technology, PACS Managers, Biomedical Engineers, Chief Radiological Technologist and Radiology Service Chief) to prepare documentation of the organization's imaging systems, hardware systems and network nodes. Prepares and maintains all up-to-date schematic diagrams with layout and location of all equipment, including @type, specifications of all cabling, routers, switches, and other telecommunication equipment. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Program Applications Specialist/PD12182A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 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) As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period 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 probationary period or trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 06/16/2026. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-07 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05. For a GS-09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07. For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: For GS-7 Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-5 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: knowledge and experience with computer systems, and imaging systems, knowledge of processing Release of Information (ROI), and knowledge of conversion of analog diagnostic film images into DICOM digital format for on screen review, and electronic storage, using film digitizer, as needed. (Knowledge and/or experience must be evident on resume. Make sure your resume includes start and end dates with month and year, specific duties, and whether the position was full-time or part-time; for each work experience entry.) OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have one full year of progressively higher-level graduate education. This education is directly related to the position to be filled. (Transcripts required) OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond first year graduated education. For GS-9 Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-7 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: knowledge and/or experience with computer systems, and imaging systems, knowledge of imaging concepts consisting of Fluoroscopy/Radiography, Nuclear Medicine, Vascular/Interventional, Cardiology, Computed Tomography, Mammography, Ultrasound and Magnetic Resonance Imaging modalities, and knowledge and/or experience with conversion of analog diagnostic film images into DICOM digital format for on screen review, and electronic storage, using film digitizer, as needed. (Knowledge and/or experience must be evident on resume. Make sure your resume includes start and end dates with month and year, specific duties, and whether the position was full-time or part-time; for each work experience entry.) OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have masters or equivalent graduate degree OR 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree OR LL.B. or J.D., if related. This education is directly related to the position to be filled. This education is directly related to the position to be filled. (Transcripts required) OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond first year graduated education. For GS-11 Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-9 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Experience with computer systems, and imaging systems. Experience with imaging concepts consisting of Fluoroscopy/Radiography, Nuclear Medicine, Vascular/Interventional, Cardiology, Computed Tomography, Mammography, Ultrasound and Magnetic Resonance Imaging modalities, throughout the Healthcare System, and experience with conversion of analog diagnostic film images into DICOM digital format for on screen review, and electronic storage, using film digitizer, as needed, and experience with the setup of new and existing computer systems, including connecting the monitors, installing necessary software. (Knowledge and/or experience must be evident on resume. Make sure your resume includes start and end dates with month and year, specific duties, and whether the position was full-time or part-time; for each work experience entry.) OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, or LL.M., if related. This education is directly related to the position to be filled. (Transcripts required) OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond first year graduated education. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Analytical Reasoning Attention to Detail Customer Service Decision Making Flexibility Integrity/Honesty Interpersonal Skills Learning Quality Management Reading Comprehension Reasoning Self-Management Stress Tolerance Teamwork 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. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Physical Requirements: The work is generally sedentary although there may be some nominal walking or standing for short periods of time or carrying of light loads of papers, books, reports, computers, monitors and may require some physical ability, (may have to lift 45 pounds), and physical stress. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. Education A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
