Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (Biomedical Info System)

This position is located at the Captain James A Lovell Federal Health Care Center North Chicago Illinois, in the Facility Management Department Division, Biomedical Engineering Program. The Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (BESS) (Biomedical Information Systems) provides clinical and administrative support to staff, patients, and administrators for all matters of concern relating to the facility wide lifecycle management of networks, networked medical equipment and associated systems. Qualifications:Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.
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. Candidates will not be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C. chapters 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English.
• Experience and Education:
  • Associates degree in Biomedical Electronics Technology, Biomedical Equipment Technology or Biomedical Engineering Technology or in a related technical field such as Electronic Technology or Information Technology and two years of experience as a Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist, Biomedical Equipment Technician, Field Service Engineer, Medical Equipment Repairer, or Information Technology Specialist (TRANSCRIPT REQUIRED).

OR
Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Engineering Technology or in a related field such as Electronics Engineering Technology (EET) or Information Technology (TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED).
OR

• Completion of a military training program in Biomedical Equipment and two years of experience as a Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist or Biomedical Equipment Technician, Field Service Engineer, Medical Equipment Repairer or Information Technology Specialist (DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED).

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).
In addition to meeting the Basic Requirements, you must also meet the following Grade Determinations:GS-12 Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (Biomedical Information Systems)

• Experience: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Specialized experience includes, but is not limited to: knowledge of a wide range of sciences including, but not limited to, electronics (analog and digital), computer science/networking, mechanical engineering design, pneumatics, hydraulics, chemistry, physiology, medical terminology, anatomy, optics, and biology to perform duties of a broad scope and nature on complex and sophisticated patient-related medical systems and sub-systems; performing advanced testing and troubleshooting of medical devices involving their interfaces and connections to information systems either directly or through the hospitals hardwired and wireless networks; knowledge of codes and standards relevant to safe operation of medical instrumentation such as National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), the Joint Commission (TJC), and the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI); using of all types of test and calibration equipment such as digital multi-meters, electrical safety analyzers, defibrillator analyzers, patient simulators, digital oscilloscopes, pulse generators, and Local Area Network (LAN) analyzers in performing troubleshooting/repair and preventive maintenance activities; configuring and maintaining medical servers and desktop computers; and knowledge of contracting regulations, requirements, and specific contract specifications including performance-based contracts. Experience may also include: manages complete systems of central computerized networks, databases, analytic servers and medical device networks; implements and plans for new or emerging technologies such as new diagnostic modalities, network management and storage appliances, virtual data centers and associated software; and manages entire data center dedicated to medical device servers.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
  • Current knowledge of computer virus protection software, available software patches and upgrades, and information security tools.
  • Expert knowledge of electronics, computer and networking theory with experience maintaining, interfacing and troubleshooting networked medical equipment to include VLAN configuration, IP addressing, sub-netting, and network security.
  • Ability to utilize and maintain computer and server based medical equipment, medical record databases, and proprietary and generic software, Experience with TCP/IP, HL7, networking, network security, and DICOM standards.
  • Ability to interpret, identify, and apply network engineering principles and practices where there often times is no previous example to follow, or precedence.
  • Skill to distinguish networking problems from non-networking problems and discuss various options with IT networking and operations staff members.

Preferred Experience: B.A. in Biomedical Engineering Technology, Electronics Engineering or Information Technology.
References: VA Handbook 5005/95, Part II, Appendix G49.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12.
Physical Requirements: Position is mostly sedentary, inside well-lit, heated, and ventilated areas. Occasionally requires duties that are physically demanding involving walking, sitting, standing, climbing ladders, crouching, crawling stooping, reaching, kneeling and some prolonged periods of intense concentration, under adverse conditions. Lifting of objects between 10 and 40 pounds is common, and on occasion lifting of heavier objects (over 40 lbs.) is necessary. Trips to Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) are sometimes necessary and will involve transportation via station vehicle or privately-owned vehicle. The incumbent is often subjected to intense stress caused by patient care situations involving instrument malfunction or failure where the ability to function calmly and competently has a direct impact on the patient. Additional stress may develop from the requirement that medical instruments must be operationally correct, reliable, and safe to use at all times. Often work is performed on possibly infectious and radioactively contaminated equipment, in areas such as surgical suites, intensive care units, special procedures laboratories, etc. There is exposure to noxious chemicals, contagious diseases, and the risk of infection resulting from scrapes and scratched. Incumbent observes all safe work practices on the job. Uses personal protective gear when appropriate. Immediately reports accidents or injuries to supervisor.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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.Employment Type: FULL_TIME