Lead Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist

The Lead Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (BESS) at the New Mexico VA Healthcare System, within the HTM/Biomedical/Clinical Engineering Service, works in support of the HTM/Biomedical/Clinical Engineering Service. Additionally, the Lead BESS provides clinical and administrative support to staff, patients, and administrators for all matters of concern relating to the facility-wide lifecycle management of medical equipment.
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: 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. See Chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a.
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. OR,
• Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Engineering Technology or in a related field such as Electronics Engineering Technology (EET) or Information Technology. OR,
• Completion of a military training program in Biomedical Equipment and two years of experience as Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist or Biomedical Equipment Technician, Field Service Engineer, Medical Equipment Repairer or Information Technology Specialist.

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: GS-12 Lead Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist
Preferred Experience: At least one year of experience at the GS-11 grade level that demonstrates the technical competencies described at that level.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the preferred experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

• Knowledge of VA, NFPA, FDA, NRC, The Joint Commission, and other relevant safety and radiation safety standards.
• Ability to Lead Biomedical staff and work on medical equipment if needed to maintain compliant workflow.
• Knowledge of project management principles required to effectively and efficiently manage multiple, concurrent projects.
• Skill in communication to interact with clinical, technical and managerial staff.
• Ability to instruct staff, lead individuals, manage priorities, and schedule work assignments.

References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G49, Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12.
Physical Requirements: The work requires some physical exertion, such as long periods of standing, recurring bending, crouching, stopping, stretching, climbing, or similar activities, especially to work on stationary equipment with components that may be difficult to access. It requires recurring lifting of light to moderately heavy items typically weighing over 50 pounds, such as medical and test equipment, patient monitors, tools, and components. The work assignments will involve working in cramped and awkward positions which may be outside or inside, on elevated structures, and in cramped areas.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/.Employment Type: FULL_TIME