Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (BESS) is within a Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) Clinical Engineering department at the VA Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System, Leeds Campus. The BESS Works in support of the medical equipment management program. Troubleshoots and performs planned maintenance on a range of medical devices and clinical systems. This position is full time at 40 hours per week.
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. Education, Experience, or Certification: Associates or higher degree in the biomedical technology or biomedical engineering field; OR Associates or higher degree in electronics, a field of information technology, or engineering (other than biomedical engineering) AND 1 year of creditable experience; OR Completion of the Department of Defense (DOD) biomedical equipment technician training program; OR Completion of a DOD training program in repair and maintenance of electronic systems or information technology AND 1 year of creditable experience; OR Completion of a biomedical engineering technician or Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) certificate program that included an internship or apprenticeship; OR Completion of biomedical engineering technician or HTM certificate program that did not include an internship AND 1 year of creditable experience; OR Hold or having ever held certification as a Certified Biomedical Equipment Technician (CBET), Certified Radiology Equipment Specialist (CRES), Certified Laboratory Equipment Specialist (CLES), or Certified Healthcare Technology Manager (CHTM). Continuous maintenance of certification is not required throughout VHA employment. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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-05 Grade Level: (1) Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-07 Grade Level: (1) Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-05). (2) Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of physics, anatomy, and physiology. (b) Knowledge of electronics such as analog, digital, and microprocessor theory. (c) Knowledge of the use of standard level test equipment such as multi- meters, electrical safety analyzers, patient simulators, storage oscilloscopes, manometers, and tachometers. (d) Knowledge of basic networking concepts, such as computer and server hardware and software functionality, information technologies and computer virus protection software, available software patches and upgrades, and information security tools (for example, Microsoft Office, Windows operating systems, and McAfee). (e) Skill in documenting all services provided in support of medical equipment and clinical systems in a computerized maintenance management system. (f) Ability to learn equipment operating and maintenance procedures. GS-09 Grade Level: (1) Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-07). (2) Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of basic networking concepts including Access Control List (ACL), Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), and Virtual Local Area Networks (VLAN). (b) Knowledge of computer and server hardware and software functionality including virus protection, operating system patches and upgrades, and information security tools. (c) Ability to interpret a variety of technical data such as schematic drawings, wiring diagrams, table charts, mathematical expressions, and formulas. (d) Ability to use standard level test equipment including multi-meters, electrical safety analyzers, patient simulators, storage oscilloscopes, manometers, and tachometers. (e) Ability to perform equipment maintenance and operating procedures. GS-11 Grade Level: (1) Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-09). (2) Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of standards including National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Joint Commission (TJC), and the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) for safe operation of medical equipment and clinical systems. (b) Skill in using test and calibration equipment including digital multi- meters, electrical safety analyzers, defibrillator analyzers, patient simulators, manometers, tachometers, and Local Area Network (LAN) analyzers. (c) Skill in interpreting a variety of technical data including schematic drawings and wiring diagrams. (d) Skill in applying networking principles, such as Access Control List (ACL), Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), and Virtual Local Area Networks (VLAN). (e) Ability to perform advanced testing to troubleshoot medical equipment and clinical system interfaces. (f) Ability to maintain medical computers and software. (g) Ability to manage projects involving medical equipment and clinical systems. 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-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-05 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.
Duties of this include, but are not limited to: GS-5 Level Duties: Serves as an entry-level, developmental position for a Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (BESS) within a Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) department at a VA facility. Assists in lifecycle management of medical equipment and clinical systems. Troubleshoots medical equipment and clinical systems using a variety of technical data and completes corrective action. Performs planned maintenance on medical equipment and clinical systems. Assists with incoming inspections on medical equipment and clinical systems. Documents all work in the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS). Assists with remediation and documentation of hazard alerts and recall notifications concerning medical equipment impacting the facility. GS-7 Level Duties: Serves as a developmental position for a Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (BESS) within a Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) department at a VA facility. Assists with remediation and documentation of hazard alerts and recall notifications concerning medical equipment impacting the facility. Utilizes basic networking concepts, such as computer and server hardware and software used in conjunction with medical devices and clinical systems. Utilizes test equipment in accordance with manufacturer instructions. Provides customer support to staff, evaluates issues and needs, responds with solutions, and keeps customers abreast of status. Complies with applicable standards, policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements. GS-9 Level Duties: Serves as a developmental position for a Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (BESS) within a Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) department at a VA facility. Assists in lifecycle management of medical devices and clinical systems. Troubleshoots medical equipment and clinical systems using a variety of technical data and completes corrective action. Performs planned maintenance on medical equipment and clinical systems. Assists with incoming inspections on medical equipment and clinical systems. Documents all work in the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS). Assists with remediation and documentation of hazard alerts and recall notifications concerning medical equipment impacting the facility. Utilizes basic networking concepts in accordance with the VHA Medical Device Protection Program (MDPP), such as computer and server hardware and software used in conjunction with medical devices and clinical systems. Utilizes test equipment in accordance with manufacturer instructions. GS-11 Level Duties: Serves as a Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (BESS) at the full performance level within a Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) department at a VA facility. Manages the lifecycle of medical equipment and clinical systems. Troubleshoots medical equipment and clinical systems using a variety of technical data and completes corrective action. Performs incoming inspections and planned maintenance on medical equipment and clinical systems. Documents all work in the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS). Responds to and remediates hazard alerts, recall notifications, and incidents concerning medical equipment and clinical systems. Documents all actions in the appropriate system. Monitors system backups, ensures network connectivity, mitigates cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and maintains clinical systems. Utilizes test equipment in accordance with manufacturer instructions. Manages projects involving medical equipment and clinical systems. Provides customer support to staff, evaluates issues and needs, responds with solutions, and keeps customers abreast of status. Educates staff on the safe operation and user-level maintenance of medical Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday - Friday 7:30am-4:00pm Compressed/Flexible Work Schedule: May be authorized at supervisor's discretion. Telework/Virtual/Remote Work: Not Authorized Functional Statement #: PDF08064, PDF08063, PDF08062, and PDF08061 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure: Not required. Notifications: This is a Bargaining Unit Position. Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50 (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position, title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (competitive or excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held. Selectee will be required to complete additional forms to proceed with employment process.