Cardiac PACS Administrator, Clinical Applications

Job Summary:

Within the context of the Information Management Information Technology Services (IMITS) that provides services to Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA), Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) and Providence Health Care (PHC), this is a professional level job responsible for all aspects of system management pertaining to the Picture Archival and Communication Systems (PACS) utilized within designated Cardiology Departments across the regional sites (VCH/PHC/PHSA). The primary focus is on overseeing system utilization, and providing administrative and technical system support services. The position is responsible for defining standards and protocols; troubleshooting system and interface problems; recommending system changes or enhancements; providing training/in-service sessions for users; and ensuring communication of system functionality. Works with vendors to ensure service levels meet corporate standards; tests and evaluates software in order to recommend products that will meet current and future needs. Performs ongoing capacity planning analysis. Provides user support and consultation as well as other user liaison services. Develops "Best Practice" methods, standards and procedures for utilization of Cardiac PACS systems. Provides input into the development of policies and procedures regarding configuration and utilization of the systems. Participates in decisions relating to the development and support of integrated systems, including other Cardiac clinical applications and messaging broker/interface engine systems. Provides input into the testing and evaluating of software in order to recommend products that will meet current and future needs of the departments. Ensures that change management and communication strategies are incorporated and that stakeholders are appropriately engaged in decisions that affect their clinical practice.

Duties/Accountabilities:

1. Acts as a champion and a regional/departmental focal point for issues relating to Cardiac PACS through such methods as working collaboratively as a member of interdisciplinary system support teams, developing communication linkages between the technical application, enterprise system users and system support groups to facilitate and enhance the exchange of information. Advocates on behalf of Cardiology for the development/implementation of appropriate cardiac imaging solutions.
2. Provides technical, application and data analysis leadership with respect to Cardiac PACS utilization, overseeing and supporting ongoing PACS issues within the Regional Cardiac Program.
3. 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, and assisting with system billing and patient tracking discrepancies with hospital information systems.
4. 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 maximize the use of technology in order to enhance workflow efficiencies and decrease workload for staff.
5. Participates in the determination of clinical business needs and technology requirements by interviewing department management, clinicians and staff, participating in planning 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. Communicates and collaborates with other team members to ensure systems are integrated, minimize duplication, enhance efficiency and foster inter-professional practice.
6. Participates in the implementation of newly approved systems and processes by assisting with the preparation and distribution of new/revised procedures and policies. Fosters the adoption of the new approach to clinical practice and ensures post implementation support is available to all users to ensure user adoption of new practices.
7. Uses own clinical experience to assist and train clinical staff on the clinical systems processes and technology requirements including participating in the development and implementation of a communication strategy, educational program and evaluation strategy.
8. Works with Team Lead, Project Lead, Project Manager and other team members to ensure that all requirements are outlined in applicable documents including business cases and design documents, implementation plans, reporting templates, and test plans.
9. Works collaboratively with multiple stakeholders within the organizations and external stakeholders and vendors to manage and resolve complex issues (such as identification of problems, development of fixes, and system modification and design).
10. Provides input into the development and enhancement of an integrated systems support model by working with the IMITS team, Cardiology, Medical Imaging staff, and the Service Desk Team, to identify appropriate response/escalation procedures and proactive performance monitoring, ensuring that clinical user requirements are effectively and efficiently met.
11. Maintains and updates own knowledge and understanding of knowledge transfer and exchange theory and practice by reviewing current literature and research, accessing educational opportunities, identifying and incorporating new theories/trends to ensure project resources and activities are current, based on evidence and reflective of best practices.
12. Applies an evidence-based approach to clinical problem solving through methods such as reviewing relevant literature/resources and applying approved research findings in clinical practice to support the research culture of the organization. Evaluates results in collaboration with interdisciplinary team.
13. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education, Training and Experience
• Graduation from a recognized echocardiography ultrasound program.
• Five (5) years of recent echocardiography experience in an acute health care setting or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Relevant course work or training in Health Information Sciences or Computer Sciences.
• Eligible for membership with the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS) or the Canadian Association of Registered Diagnostic Ultrasound Professionals (CARDUP).

Skills and Abilities
• Broad knowledge of Cardiac anatomy and physiology.
• Solid understanding of modality specific workflow, Cardiologist reporting methodologies and image distribution requirements.
• Solid understanding of DICOM networks, integrated clinical information systems, HL7 messages and interfaces, and working with network servers.
• Solid understanding of interdisciplinary and inter-professional practice.
• Solid understanding of knowledge transfer processes and a demonstrated ability to provide system training and user support.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and solve complex problems.
• Demonstrated ability to coach, facilitate and lead others.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and in collaboration with others.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated ability to understand change dynamics and lead change management initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability with, and experience in, the planning, testing, and implementing of system upgrades.
• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure, adjust to unexpected events, and to deal with conflict.
• Demonstrated ability to teach and train medical/technical staff and students
• Demonstrated ability to develop procedure and protocol manuals.
• Demonstrated ability to organize work, set and maintain priorities, and be results-oriented.
• Demonstrated ability to use standard desktop applications and familiarity with clinical information systems.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.