PACS Clinical Informatics Specialist

Position Summary The PACS Clinical Informatics Specialist is responsible for the comprehensive management and optimization of the Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) used across Diagnostic Imaging, Cardiology and other departments within the organization. Reporting to the Director, this role oversees system performance, regional initiatives, budgeting considerations, accreditation compliance, and policy development while providing both administrative and operational system support. This position establishes standards, protocols and best practices for system configuration and utilization; troubleshoots system and interface issues; recommends enhancements; and delivers training and user support. Working closely with vendors and clinical stakeholders, the specialist evaluates software solutions, ensures service levels meet corporate standards, supports integrated clinical applications and interface engines, and conducts capacity planning to meet current and future needs.

Required Education:

Post-secondary education in a Diagnostic Health discipline

PACS Administration Certificate

Certified Imaging Information Professional (CIIP)

Project management training, an asset

Experience

5+ years of related Diagnostic Imaging experience.

Minimum 3 years’ experience using PACS

Hands-on experience with Cerner DI module, Novari and Ocean is considered an asset

Experience with the Regional Lumeo integration model is considered an asset

Prior experience with Sectra PACS is considered an asset

Skills

Excellent communication, problem-solving, and project management skills.

Strong understanding of healthcare workflows and clinical processes within Diagnostic Imaging

Strong understanding of DICOM networks, integrated clinical information systems, HL7 messages and interfaces.

Skilled in delivering training and promoting user competency

Must have a satisfactory Criminal Record / Vulnerable Sector Check.

Duties

Acts as a champion and a regional/departmental focal point for issues relating to PACS through such methods as working collaboratively as a member of an interdisciplinary system support team, developing communication linkages between technical applications, enterprise system users and system support groups to facilitate and enhance the exchange of information.

Advocates on behalf Diagnostic Imaging for the development/implementation of appropriate imaging solutions.

Determines and prepares annual capital requests.

Provides technical, application and data analysis leadership with respect to PACS utilization.

In collaboration with Information Systems, assists in the support and maintenance of designated clinical systems and servers by methods such as testing and installing upgrades to desktops, monitoring designated servers for functionality and stability, applying vendor supplied application upgrades, sorting and moving data, maintaining statistics, running system and application reports.

Maintains system configuration details (e.g. AE titles, IP addresses, etc.), coordinates installations with IT and vendors for the addition, movement or removal of new devices and licensing updates.

Oversee modality and storage configuration changes, plans and coordinates software upgrades and collaborates with IT to resolve integration and functionality issues.

Brings clinical knowledge to assist with system billing and patient tracking discrepancies with hospital information systems.

Implements and executes PACS quality assurance program

Ensures system configuration and workflow design reflect the vision and guidelines of the clinical group and the workflow requirements of staff and patients by engaging in ongoing dialogue with clinical and/or project teams. Brings a clinical best practice perspective to discussions and decisions. Measures current clinical workflow patterns and suggests new patterns of workflow that maximizes the use of technology to enhance workflow efficiencies and decrease workload for staff.

Participates in the determination of clinical business needs and technology requirements by consulting with department management, clinicians and staff, participating in committees, assessing information and defining/documenting user requirements, conducting feasibility/advisability studies from a clinical perspective on proposed plans and participating in the data and process-modeling activities

Participates in the implementation of newly approved systems and processes by supporting the development, revision and distribution of policies and procedures. Promotes the adoption of updated clinical practices and ensures comprehensive post-implementation support is available to all users to enhance understanding, troubleshoot issues, and sustain successful ad