RIS Site Coordinator | Radiology IT & Clinical Systems Specialist

🎯 Role Definition

As the RIS Site Coordinator, you are the on-site subject matter expert and primary support liaison for all radiology information systems and PACS. You will be responsible for the day-to-day administration, maintenance, and optimization of these critical platforms. This position involves proactive troubleshooting, user training, and workflow analysis to ensure our radiology department operates with maximum efficiency and accuracy. The ideal candidate is a problem-solver with a strong background in clinical radiology workflows and a passion for leveraging technology to improve patient care.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Senior Radiologic Technologist with a strong technical aptitude
PACS/RIS Super User or Technologist
IT Support Specialist with healthcare experience

Advancement To:

Regional RIS/PACS Administrator
Radiology IT Manager
Clinical Informatics Manager or Analyst

Lateral Moves:

PACS Administrator
Clinical Applications Trainer
IT Project Coordinator (Healthcare)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Serve as the primary on-site point of contact and subject matter expert for all Radiology Information System (RIS) and Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) related issues, providing tier 1 and tier 2 support.
Perform daily system monitoring and quality assurance checks to ensure system integrity, uptime, and optimal performance of all radiology applications.
Manage and resolve complex application, workflow, and data integrity issues, including DICOM and HL7 message exceptions, patient record merges, and image routing errors.
Coordinate and perform system upgrades, patches, and routine maintenance in collaboration with corporate IT and external vendors, ensuring minimal disruption to clinical operations.
Develop, document, and deliver comprehensive training programs for radiologists, technologists, and support staff on RIS/PACS functionalities, new features, and best-practice workflows.
Create and maintain user accounts, manage security profiles, and configure system access controls in strict accordance with established security policies and HIPAA regulations.
Act as the key liaison between the radiology department, IT services, and third-party vendors for system support, troubleshooting, and enhancement requests.
Analyze clinical and operational workflows, identify inefficiencies, and recommend system modifications or process improvements to enhance productivity and patient throughput.
Maintain a comprehensive log of system issues, resolutions, and user requests using a ticketing system to track trends and inform future system development.
Lead the testing and validation of new software versions, system interfaces, and hardware (e.g., workstations, dictation microphones, monitors) before deployment in the production environment.
Manage the integration and reconciliation of data between the RIS, PACS, EMR/EHR, and voice recognition systems to ensure consistent and accurate patient information across all platforms.
Assist in the development and maintenance of system policies, procedures, and technical documentation for both end-users and technical support teams.
Monitor and manage worklists, ensuring timely reading of exams and proper study status progression, and troubleshoot any delays or system-related bottlenecks.
Participate in departmental and enterprise-wide projects related to the implementation of new technologies, sites, or clinical services impacting radiology systems.
Generate and analyze operational reports from the RIS on key performance indicators such as exam volume, technologist productivity, and report turnaround time.
Ensure all imaging studies are properly archived and available for retrieval, managing storage capacity and data lifecycle according to retention policies.
Provide on-call support for critical after-hours system issues on a rotational basis to ensure 24/7 operational readiness of the radiology department.
Collaborate with the Radiology Quality and Safety Officer to ensure system configurations and workflows support regulatory compliance and accreditation standards (e.g., ACR, The Joint Commission).
Facilitate the setup and configuration of new modalities and imaging equipment within the RIS and PACS environments.
Investigate and resolve issues related to billing and coding discrepancies that originate from incorrect data entry or system configuration within the RIS.
Support radiologists with advanced visualization tools, hanging protocols, and user preference customizations to optimize their diagnostic efficiency.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis to provide insights on departmental performance and resource utilization.
Contribute to the organization's long-term data and technology strategy by evaluating emerging trends and tools in radiological informatics.
Collaborate with business units and clinical leadership to translate evolving departmental needs into clear technical and functional requirements for system enhancements.
Participate in sprint planning, daily stand-ups, and other agile ceremonies if the IT department follows that methodology for project management.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

RIS/PACS Administration: In-depth knowledge and hands-on experience with major RIS and PACS platforms (e.g., Epic Radiant, Cerner RadNet, Sectra, Fuji Synapse, InteleRad, AGFA).
Clinical Workflow Expertise: Strong understanding of the end-to-end radiology workflow, from patient scheduling and exam ordering to image acquisition, reading, and results distribution.
Healthcare Interoperability Standards: Proficiency with DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) and HL7 (Health Level Seven) standards, including troubleshooting message failures.
EMR/EHR Integration: Experience working with and supporting integrations between radiology systems and Electronic Health/Medical Record systems.
Troubleshooting & Root Cause Analysis: Proven ability to diagnose and resolve complex technical issues related to software, hardware, and network connectivity.
Database Querying: Basic to intermediate proficiency in SQL for data extraction, reporting, and issue investigation is highly desirable.
IT Service Management (ITSM): Familiarity with ticketing systems (e.g., ServiceNow, Jira) and ITIL principles for issue and request management.
Regulatory Compliance: Solid understanding of HIPAA and HITECH regulations to ensure patient data privacy and security.

Soft Skills

Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to non-technical clinical staff.
Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and critical thinking skills to methodically identify and solve problems under pressure.
Customer Service Orientation: A dedicated, patient, and professional approach to supporting end-users and resolving their issues effectively.
Training and Mentoring: Ability to develop and deliver engaging and effective training materials for diverse audiences.
Project Coordination: Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize effectively, and meet deadlines.
Attention to Detail: Meticulous approach to system configuration, data integrity checks, and documentation.
Collaboration: A team-player mindset with a proven ability to work effectively with clinical staff, IT colleagues, and external vendors.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Associate's degree in a relevant field OR equivalent work experience combined with an active ARRT (American Registry of Radiologic Technologists) certification.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor's degree in Health Informatics, Information Technology, Healthcare Administration, or a related field.
CIIP (Certified Imaging Informatics Professional) certification is a significant plus.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Radiologic Technology
Health Informatics
Information Systems

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3-5 years

Preferred:

At least 3 years of experience in a clinical radiology environment (e.g., as a technologist) with demonstrated "super user" or technical support responsibilities.
OR at least 2 years of direct experience in a PACS/RIS Administrator, Analyst, or Coordinator role within a hospital or large imaging center.