I'm interested in PACS management but I'm not a rad tech

IT girl · Joined: 03 May 2008 Posts: 1

I hold a Master's in Computer Science and I'm interested in learning more and PACS administration. Is it possible for me to get a job in the field without a technologist's license. I might be able to get the license, but I'm concerned that there are enough radiographers in the SF Bay Area already and that if I don't need it it would be a waste of time & money. Confused

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I'm not weird, I have Asperger's syndrome

hjhogle · Posted: Sat May 03, 2008 12:18 pm Post subject:

It's not at all unusual to become a PACS Admin w/o being an RT. The Admin I work with currently holds his BS in Computer Science and an MA in Healthcare Administration. He is one SMART guy.

The Admin doesn't need to have clinical experience, but I think it's important in a clinical environment to have folks on your staff who DO. We bring concerns and a perspective that is unlike any other IT/IS Department. Clinical Imaging IT is different in its approach to problem solving, and its insistence that the system itself is not important - our sole priority is the human element; the clinicians and the patients that the systems support.

Look here - http://www.siimweb.org/ The Society for Imaging Informatics In Medicine is the standard bearer. In particular, see their information about IIP http://www.siimweb.org/index.cfm?id=4056

Good luck - If you're a geek of the network variety (my weakest area), I may ask you to tutor me!

hjh, RT