AddressSummary This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Responsibilities The Staff Biomedical Engineer serves as a staff advisor to the Chief, Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) in the area of Biomedical Engineering as well as on other engineering principles and practices. These areas of expertise relate to the area of specialization and scientific discipline, drawing from professional education background as well as practical experience. Assists in the management of the medical instrument maintenance program, anesthesia record keeper and clinical information system management and medical device integration projects. Ensures that medical equipment in the Medical Center is safe for patients and staff, reliable in its results, and experiences minimal downtime. Manages all medical equipment recalls and hazard alerts, and investigates any incidents involving medical equipment. Documents findings and actions taken and reports to Environment of Care Committee. Assists in the personnel functions for the HTM service line, including the recruitment, hiring, and training of new section staff as well as the development of position descriptions, duty assignments and personnel management. Assists in ensuring that requirements of The Joint Commission, IG, SOARS, Food and Drug Administration, and other groups are met for the medical equipment program. Provides leadership to ensure that high-performance customer support is provided to medical staff, nurses and technologists. Shares responsibility of representing the Medical Center in meetings with manufacturers, vendors and their engineers in matters involving medical instrumentation. Advises the Chief HTM and the Medical Center Equipment Committee on equipment evaluations. Provides accurate, balanced advice to management regarding decisions to be made for new acquisitions. Assists with advising several committees in the medical center besides Equipment Committee, such as Bar Code Administration Committee, High Tech Informatics Committee, Critical Care Committee, Reusable Medical Equipment Committee, and Environment of Care Committee and sits on Committees when Chief HTM cannot attend meetings. Researches and reports on biomedical issues of interest to those committees to the Chief HTM. Carries out Purchase Card duties allowing for procurement of parts and services using dedicated Fund Control Points. Assists in providing project management for the purchase, planning, construction design review, installation, and in-service training stages of biomedical instrumentation projects such as, but not limited to, radiation oncology, laboratories, radiology and nuclear medicine suites and computer systems and software. Advises and works with clinical staff and the Projects Section, Engineering Service on design and planning of construction of clinical spaces, sometimes entailing visits to other facilities to research current design trends for medical space. Shares responsibility in ensuring that HIPAA and network security issues are managed effectively for medical systems. Shares responsibility in updating documentation of network connections of medical systems, including information on VLAN, IP address, subnet mask, default gateway, and network switch and port numbers. Trains clinical staff on specific subjects as needed including proper acquisition procedures and use of medical equipment. Provides technical support to the staff in order to resolve systems problems. Provides support to the medical staff to help resolve equipment related problems. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency. Must be proficient in spoken and written English. Education or Experience: Bachelor's Degree or Higher in Engineering. To be creditable, the curriculum must be from a school of engineering with at least one curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) as a professional engineering curriculum. Examples of acceptable engineering degrees include: Biomedical Engineering, Clinical Engineering, Bioengineering, Biomechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Biochemical Engineering. OR, Certification as a Certified Clinical Engineer (CCE) and a Bachelor's Degree not listed above. Certification means having successfully passed a CCE written and oral examination administered by the American College of Clinical Engineering. If appointed with a CCE requirement, the employee must maintain certification throughout employment. The American College of Clinical Engineering determines acceptable educational preparation and degree requirements for CCE eligibility. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: To qualify for the GS-09 level, Applicants must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level, directly related to the position to be filled. GS-09 Candidates must possess all of the following: Knowledge of the principles, theories, concepts, and practices of the Biomedical Engineering profession. Ability to interpret relevant codes, regulations, guidelines, and standards, and make recommendations to ensure compliance with medical center programs. Ability to understand the operational needs of clinical services in the health care system. Ability to prepare material on current technical topics and trends, for presentation to other technical staff and mid-level hospital management, and the ability to keep abreast of changes in technology. To qualify for the GS-11 level, Applicants must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level, directly related to the position to be filled. GS-11 Candidates must possess all of the following: Ability to implement and/or sustain an equipment management or biomedical research program that meets The Joint Commission, National Fire Protection Association, or other applicable regulatory requirements. Ability to develop material for a continuing education program for clinical or research staff, that address the principles and application of medical technology, and/or biomedical theory used in healthcare. Ability to advise staff on emerging medical technology, or research procedures, while keeping abreast of changes in such technology, and utilizing the information to solve Biomedical Engineering problems. Knowledge of basic project management principles, as applied to the healthcare setting and medical equipment, and information system implementation. To qualify for the GS-12 level, Applicants must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level, directly related to the position to be filled. GS-12 Candidates must possess all of the following: Ability to conduct a medical equipment management or biomedical research program that is compliant with applicable healthcare standards and regulatory agencies. Ability to develop a curriculum for a continuing education program, that address the safe and effective use of medical technology, and/or research devices. Ability to manage a recall and safety alert program for medical devices, including medical device hazard investigations, to assure compliance with patient safety goals, the Safe Medical Devices Act, and The Joint Commission requirements. Ability to conduct capital asset and infrastructure planning for medical equipment spanning initial concept, installation, and effective implementation of complex medical equipment. Ability to function as the subject matter expert in the field of Biomedical Engineering, directly supporting specialized clinical technology, including service, system administration, training, quality assurance, and life-cycle management. Ability to effectively advise clinical and administrative staff on medical technology, including existing and emerging technology, which addresses viability, long-term suitability, compatibility, and/or safety. Knowledge of concepts related to computer based medical systems, networking protocols, and information security as it applies to medical technology within Skill in communicating and working collaboratively with key stakeholders, including technical and professional staff at various levels of the organization. Ability to apply project management principles to deployment of medical equipment and health information technologies. References: VA Handbook 5005/130, Part II, Appendix G38 - Biomedical Engineer Qualification Standard The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-07 to GS-12. Physical Requirements: Work involves standing, walking, stooping, bending, climbing stairs, and frequently working in cramped spaces for prolonged periods. The employee continually lifts from 10 to 40 pounds and occasionally objects weighing in excess of 40 pounds. The work also involves coping with complex, persistent demands from a variety of sources that can be regarded as a high pressure. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
