The Supervisory Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (BESS) works in support of the Biomedical Engineering Department by providing leadership, guidance and supervision among assigned employees. Additionally, the Supervisory 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.
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 must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Experience and Education, 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. 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: Supervisory Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist, GS-13 Experience. At least one year of experience at the GS-12 grade level that demonstrates the technical competencies described at that level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to meeting the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Skill in managing workflow by directing the work of others to accomplish program goals and objectives. Skill in developing policies to oversee medical equipment and clinical systems. Skill in managing interpersonal relationships between employees, team leaders, and managers. Skill in applying standards for safe operation of medical equipment and clinical systems including National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), the Joint Commission (TJC), and the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI). Ability to supervise subordinate staff (for example, plan, organize, delegate, direct, control, and review activities and performance). Ability to provide guidance on multiple types of medical equipment and clinical systems. Ability to analyze data to optimize quality, efficiency, performance, and productivity. References: VA Handbook 5005/95, Part II, Appendix G49 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: Incumbent must be able to stoop, reach, kneel, crouch, and maintain intense concentration for long periods of time under most adverse conditions, such as repairing and/or calibrating lifesaving equipment while it is monitoring and/or supporting the life of a patient. Acceptable hearing, visual accuracy, field of vision, and color perception are required for working on minute circuits. Moderate lifting is necessary. Heavy lifting (over 40 lbs.) can be accomplished by getting assistance when needed. Circuit repairs require adequate eyesight and dexterity for working on high-density boards.
Serves as a Supervisory Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (BESS) within a Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) department at a VA facility that provides multi-faceted specialty care for both inpatient and outpatient services that may be delivered at a variety of sites. In addition to duties at the full performance level, the BESS utilizes supervisory and personnel management authorities and responsibilities. Duties include but not limited to: Oversees, directs, and manages the lifecycle management of the facility's medical equipment and clinical systems. Collaborates with other departments and service lines, clinical and administrative staff, and executive leadership at the medical center, VISN, and national levels, as needed. Directs work on all aspects of medical equipment and clinical systems support to include technology assessments, acquisition, and implementation; planned and corrective maintenance; upgrades and modifications; and end of life tasks to include decommissioning, data sanitization, and technical evaluation for condition prior to disposal. Establishes workload distribution and revises work schedules to meet workload priorities, challenges, and issues. Establishes and maintains the medical equipment management program and completes annual evaluations of the program's effectiveness. Develops and implements policies and procedures to ensure compliance with established standards and regulations. Establishes and monitors metrics, and initiates performance improvement activities. Defines, evaluates, and enhances subordinate staff's competency to perform the duties and responsibilities for their respective roles. Develops individual and/or departmental training plans that address gaps in staff and departmental competencies. Develops, delivers, and evaluates performance plans for subordinate staff. Recognizes deserving staff for exceptional performance. Addresses performance problems and conduct issues in accordance with established labor union agreements, human resources guidance, and policies. Requests and develops recruitment packages to fill/backfill any open or vacant positions. Screens and interviews applicants, conducts reference checks, and selects only qualified candidates. Employs available resources to retain talent. Develops and implements succession planning. Forecasts and develops departmental budgets utilizing available data. Manages fund control points and ensures all purchases and expenditures are completed in accordance with applicable federal laws. Serves as a Government Purchase Card (GPC) holder, approving official, or alternate approving official. Serves as a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR). Develops documentation to purchase commodities and/or vendor services. Manages, monitors, and evaluates contractor performance and addresses issues or deficiencies. Manages, responds to, and remediates hazard alerts, recall notifications, and incidents concerning medical equipment and clinical systems. Documents all actions in the appropriate system. Plans, leads, and/or manages projects for medical equipment and clinical systems. Oversees the facility's medical device protection program. Ensures networked medical equipment and clinical systems are inventoried, tracked, and patched. Validates identified cybersecurity vulnerabilities are addressed. Serves as a subject matter expert on assigned committees, projects, and workgroups. 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). 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 equipment and clinical systems. Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: PD928810 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required