Supervisory Biomedical Engineer (Clinical)

Summary
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.
This job is open to

• The public
  U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

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Duties
The Chief Healthcare Technology Manager (HTM) Service Chief (Chief HTM) is responsible for the professional and administrative management at a VA Medical Center (VAMC) and university-affiliated hospital. He/she has responsibility for supervising technical staff including Biomedical Engineers, Biomedical Engineering Support Specialists, and other technical staff such as Interns, Trainees and Master's Degree Students. He/she also supervises administrative support staff. Supervisory responsibility includes development of performance standards and conducting performance evaluations; recommendations for appointment, awards, advancements, and when appropriate, disciplinary actions; and identification of continuing training needs, The Chief HTM supports and advances patient care by applying engineering and managerial skills to healthcare technology as demonstrated by the following major responsibilities:

• The Health Technology Manager (HTM) Service Chief conducts a medical equipment and clinical systems management program that meets current requirements of The Joint Commission (TJC), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) codes, standards and handbooks as well as VA/VHA requirements.
• The HTM Service Chief has responsibility for development and management of a complex, professional, highly technical HTM program. The program has direct impact on all services provided by Medical Centers, their outpatient clinics, as well as some services provided by Medical Centers throughout VISN 2. The HTM program must provide safe, reliably maintained medical equipment and clinical systems for the delivery of quality healthcare in a cost-effective manner.
• The incumbent acts as a leader at a Service Chief level within the VAMC and demonstrates interpersonal skills as an envoy for the VISN 2 HTM Service Line in order to facilitate better relationships and procedures within their Service and with other Services within their VAMC and among the VISN 2 Medical Centers.
• The Incumbent supervises and manages the local VAMC HTM program. He/she balances the many priorities from the VAMC and VISN. He/she reports directly to the VISN 2 HTM Chief. He/she also serves as a Service Chief and routinely meets with the local VAMC Executive Leadership Team.
• The incumbent drafts and recommends VAMC policies related to medical equipment/clinical systems. He/she represents the HTM Service and in some cases the VA Medical Center in meetings and conferences.
• The incumbent advises clinical and administrative staff on medical engineering and clinical systems technology including existing and emerging technology addressing viability, long-term suitability, compatibility, and/or safety while keeping abreast of changes in technology and utilizing information gained in the solution of Biomedical Engineering problems.
• The incumbent manages the VAMC recall and safety alert program for medical devices, including medical device incident investigations to assure compliance with patient safety goals, SMDA, and TJC requirements.
• He/she conducts capital asset and infrastructure planning for complex medical equipment and clinical systems spanning initial concept, installation, and effective implementation. He/she participates at the VAMC and VISN level with capital asset planning.
• The incumbent analyzes organizational and operational problems and develops timely and economical solutions to meet VAMC and VISN needs.
• The incumbent is the primary lead person responsible for in depth knowledge and technical support related to clinical/ medical network systems, and the associated duties for medical device protection and cyber security, virtualization, and disaster recovery. He/she has knowledge of medical device interoperability and communication to the electronic health record in VISTA and the future electronic health record system. He/she has knowledge of HL-7 and DICOM.
• He she supports medical imaging modalities such as, radiology systems which produce ionizing radiation (computerized axial tomography, cardiac cath labs and fluoroscopy systems), nuclear gamma cameras, magnetic resonance imaging systems, GI systems, and dental systems, which provide digital imaging acquisition, local digital archival storage and distribution of medical images to diagnostic and clinical archive servers. The modality devices reside on a high-speed network with fiber optic distribution throughout the hospital and a wide area network connection with support to remote outpatient clinics.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Recruitment Incentive: Authorized for highly qualified applicants.
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
EDRP Authorized: Contact Christine Paola, christine.paola@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more
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-14 level, Applicants must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade. Specialized experience includes, but is not limited to:

• Supporting patient care by applying engineering and managerial skills to healthcare technology;
• Conducting an equipment management program that meets current JCAHO and NFPA requirements;
• Assuring the provision of a continuing education program for clinical staff addressing the principles and application of medical instrumentation used in the delivery of healthcare;
• Managing a recall and safety alert program for medical devices;
• Advising clinical and administrative staff on medical engineering technology addressing viability, long-term suitability, compatibility, and safety;
• Assisting with capital asset and infrastructure planning for medical equipment spanning initial concept, installation, and effective implementation of complex medical equipment;
• Functioning as the subject matter expert in the field of Biomedical Engineering who directly supports specialized clinical technology.

GS-14 Candidates must possess all of the following:
-Ability to apply advanced knowledge of relevant codes, regulations, guidelines, and standards associated with Biomedical Engineering to support the needs of multiple facilities.
-Ability to effectively convey highly technical information to a wide variety of individuals, including technical and professional clinical staff, and senior level managers at the facility, VISN and/or national level.
-Ability to manage a recall and safety alert program for medical devices, including medical device incident investigations to assure compliance with patient safety goals, SMDA, and TJC requirements for multiple facilities.
-Ability to apply advanced knowledge of principles, theories, concepts, and practices of Biomedical Engineering. This would include the ability to keep abreast of changes in technology and utilize the information gained in the solution of Biomedical Engineering problems to meet operational needs of multiple facilities.
-Ability to directly support the most complex and specialized clinical technology including service, system administration, training, and quality assurance for multiple facilities.
-Ability to work collaboratively with other disciplines, senior management, VHA Central Office, and VISN staff.
-Ability to develop and implement healthcare technology management policies that are consistent with organizational objectives. Scope of organization spans from multiple facilities to national.
References: VA Handbook 5005/130, Part II, Appendix G38 - Biomedical Engineer Qualification Standard
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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.
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.

• Benefits
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How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
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