As a Biomedical Engineer (BME) for the VA Rocky Mountain Network (VISN 19), the incumbent provides professional engineering and relevant information technology support to the Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) Program and/or appropriate national workgroups commissioned by the Office of Healthcare Technology Management (19HTM).
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. Biomedical Engineers must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. Education and/or Experience. The individual must meet either item (1) or (2) below to meet this requirement: (1) 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. Titles may vary from educational institutions and change over time. OR, (2) Certification as a Certified Clinical Engineer (CCE) and a bachelor's degree not listed in item 3.b.(1) above. 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). Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA in this occupation, on the effective date of this qualification standard, are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education, and/or certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: (1) Such employees in an occupation that does not require a certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted, or demoted within the occupation. (2) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis, prior to the effective date of the qualification standard, may not have their temporary appointment extended, or be reappointed on a temporary, or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. (3) Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or certification/registration, that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard, must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. (4) If an employee, who was retained in an occupation listed in 38 U.S.C. § 7401(3) 4. BASIC REQUIREMENTS. 4 under this provision, leaves that occupation, the employee loses protected status, and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. Grade Determinations: Biomedical Engineer, (Clinical), GS-13 Experience. Completion of at least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower level, and must be fully meet the KSAs at that level. Including: i. Ability to implement and/or sustain an equipment management or biomedical research program that meets The Joint Commission (TJC), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), or other applicable regulatory requirements.] ii. 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. iii. 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. iv. [Knowledge of basic project management principles, as applied to the healthcare setting and medical equipment, and information system implementation.] Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. [In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs. i. Ability to conduct capital asset and infrastructure planning for medical equipment spanning initial concept, installation, and effective implementation of complex medical equipment. ii. *Knowledge [and capacity to support the most complex and specialized clinical technology including service, system administration, training, and quality assurance.] iii. [K]nowledge of, and the ability to interpret and apply complex codes, regulations, guidelines, and standards associated with the biomedical engineering field. iv. [Ability to develop and implement policies that are consistent with organizational objectives. v. Ability to communicate and work collaboratively with key stakeholders, including technical and professional staff at various levels of the organization. Preferred Experience: Provides life-cycle management and technical support of diagnostic, therapeutic devices, monitoring, and other equipment applicable in the practice of medicine, and to improve health service delivery systems. Serves as a VISN level or national resource BESS. Plans, manages and/or supports Healthcare Technology/Clinical/Medical systems that span across multiple facilities. Strong Cybersecurity, COR, and Project Management experience. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: The work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts requiring normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices, training rooms, and patient care. The work area is according to Telework agreement. If working onsite at VA space: 1) adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated; 2) there may be occasional exposure to moderate risks or discomforts in clinical spaces and storage areas. The work is primarily sedentary, although some physical effort may be required, e.g., sitting, typing, walking, standing, climbing ladders (as need), stooping, kneeling, and carrying medical equipment, or driving or traveling by motor vehicle. The position has occasionally overnight ground or air travel.
The Biomedical Engineer reports directly to the VISN 19 Supervisory Biomedical Engineer, Equipment Planning Section. He/She receives administrative direction with assignments in terms of broadly defined missions and functions. He/she exercises authority to oversee the overall planning, designing and implementing programs, projects, studies and other work to support healthcare technology across the network. They have responsibility for planning and implementing programs, projects, and other work to support and manage the VISN biomedical engineering programs across the network. The incumbent may be responsible for identifying and reviewing cost saving opportunities across the VISN Biomedical Engineering program. Successful execution of these responsibilities has major impact upon the outcome of patient care delivery. The Biomedical Engineer is recognized as a technical expert and advisor on Biomedical Engineering Clinical System integration issues and aids in the support provided by Biomedical Engineering staff across the VISN. He/She is responsible for aiding the clinical staff in selection/planning, implementation/deployment, and effective utilization of medical equipment. If assigned, the Biomedical Engineer advises the VISN Chief HTM and Leadership in the areas of high-cost and/or high-volume medical technology, the networking of medical technology, a wide array of general healthcare technology, and specific healthcare technology challenges and innovation. The VISN Biomedical Engineer serves an institutional expert in one or more technology areas for the VISN. Example technologies where the incumbent coordinates technical support activities across the VISN include EHR, Radiology PACS and Informatics, Cardiology PACS and Informatics, Critical Care Clinical Charting (CIS), Anesthesia Record Keeping Systems, Laboratory Informatics, Pharmacy Informatics, Data Analytics Systems, and other clinical informatics systems. In conjunction with facility HTM, upon assigned, VISN 19 BME proactively lead the effort for High Tech or high volume medical equipment planning and deployment. Example of high-tech medical equipment are Diagnostic Imaging modalities (MRI, CT, Cath Lab), Surgical Robots, and Linear Accelerator. High volume medical equipment can be Infusion pump, vital sign monitor, patient monitor, ventilators, defibrillators, etc. The Biomedical Engineer manages recurring technical support of specific technologies and actively collaborates with clinical service lines to optimize effectiveness of the systems. Represents the specific technologies and technology related processes to senior management and relevant VISN committees or councils. The Biomedical Engineer is responsible for establishing consistent methodologies, protocols, and procedures across VISN 19 in Biomedical Engineering. Identify best practices and propagate them across the system. Manage special projects as assigned including technology initiatives, technical consultation, quality improvement efforts, customer satisfaction surveys, and customized reporting. Facilitate communications with appropriate stakeholders, especially Biomedical Engineering staff across the VISN. The Biomedical Engineer contributes to VHA, VISN, and facility patient safety goals. He/She manages a VISN recall and safety alert program for medical devices, ensuring that medical device recalls and hazard alerts are acted upon, as appropriate, and that equipment-related safety enhancements are implemented in the VISN, in alignment with patient safety goals, SMDA, and Joint Commission requirements. The Biomedical Engineer supports implementation of effective education programs for medical equipment users. The Biomedical Engineer consults on construction projects, information technology projects, space functional changes, and associated planning with respect to medical technologies and clinical-related technologies. This includes site preparation for medical equipment via station level projects, non-recurring maintenance projects, clinical specific initiatives, minor construction, and turn-key project designs. Infrastructure planning support include conducting capital asset and infrastructure planning for medical technology spanning initial concept, installation, and effective implementation of highly complex medical technology. Responsible for life-cycle management for medical technology across the scope of a facility or VISN. The Biomedical Engineer collaborates with OI&T as appropriate to secure IT resources and engagement with respect to medical technology initiatives and equipment projects. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30am-4:00pm Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: May be available at the discretion of the supervisor Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:495-55745-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized