Abstract: An automated engagement system for coupling the plunger of a syringe to a drive arm is provided. A pressure integrity test of the syringe assembly is automatically conducted after engagement. After a position sensor communicates a signal indicating the presence of a properly installed syringe assembly to a processor, a display prompts the operator to vent and then close a stopcock in the fluid line. The processor then controls the drive arm of the system to move into engagement with the plunger of the syringe assembly, and to move the plunger forward into the syringe barrel. The drive arm stops when a pressure sensor produces a signal indicating a positive pressure in the fluid line. The processor then controls the drive arm to move the plunger in a reverse direction until a negative pressure is detected. After this confirmation of pressure integrity in the syringe assembly, the processor controls the drive to move forward until a non-negative pressure is detected by the pressure sensor.