Serves as a Biomedical Engineer within the Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) Department at the Durham VA Health Care System. Works in support of the medical equipment management program and advances patient care by applying engineering and managerial skills to healthcare technology.
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. In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), Biomedical Engineers must be proficient in spoken and written English. (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 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). Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment listed above, the following education and experience criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: Biomedical Engineer, GS-7 (Entry Level) (a) Experience: None beyond the basic requirements. (b) Education: Bachelor's degree as outlined above, or CCE certification with at least a bachelor's degree not listed above. (c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: None beyond the basic requirements. Biomedical Engineer, GS-9 (Developmental Level 1) a) Experience. At least [one] year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower level.OR, (b) Education: Master's degree in Biomedical Engineering, or a related field of study OR, Bachelor's degree, as outlined above plus two full years of progressively higher level graduate education in a related field of study, provided the applicant's total background demonstrates the KSAs for the GS-9 level assignment. (c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 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. Biomedical Engineer, GS-11 (Developmental Level 2) a) Experience. At least [one] year of experience equivalent to the next lower level, [and must fully meet the KSAs at that level.] OR, (b) Education i. Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree in Biomedical Engineering, or a related field of engineering OR, ii. Bachelor's degree, plus three full years of progressively higher level graduate education in a related field of study(c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. [In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 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. 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. Biomedical Engineer, GS-12 (Full Performance Level): (a) Experience: Completion of at least [one] year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower level; or completion of a post-doctoral research fellowship in the field of biomedical engineering, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level. (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 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, SMDA, and [TJC] 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 VHA. 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. Reference: VA Handbook 5005/104, Part II, Appendix G38. For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. 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-7 to GS-12. Physical Requirements: The work may require light lifting (under 15lbs) and working closely with others. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. 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).
Duties include but are not limited to: Conducting an equipment management program that meets current The Joint Commission (TJC) and National Fire Protection Association (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, including medical device incident investigations to assure compliance with patient safety goals, Safe Medical Devices Act (SMDA), and TJC requirements. Advising clinical and administrative staff on medical engineering 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 solutions of biomedical engineering problems. 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 including service, system administration, training, and quality assurance at a medical center. VA Careers - Biomedical Engineer: https://youtube.com/embed/F571hsIKQUk Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Work Schedule: 7:30 am - 4:00 pm, Monday - Friday Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): May be authorized to highly qualified applicants Relocation Assistance: May be authorized to highly qualified applicants Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66 Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Ad Hoc; at Supervisor's discretion