The Staff Biomedical Engineer is responsible for providing professional engineering services and program quality management the support to complete life cycle management of medical devices and clinical systems. The position is located within the Healthcare Technology Management Service (Biomedical Engineering).
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 to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Education and/or Experience Requirement - You must meet at least one of the requirements below: 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 Certification as a Certified Clinical Engineer (CCE) and a bachelor's degree not listed above. Grade Determinations: GS-7 (Entry Level): Must meet basic requirements as listed above and must fully demonstrate Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). None beyond the basic requirements. Assignment. Employees serve in an entry level biomedical engineer career development position. It is expected that biomedical engineers at the entry level receive ongoing guidance from more experienced staff members and perform assignments under close supervision. GS-9 (Developmental Level 1):Experience. At least [one] year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower level (GS-7). OR, Education. Master's degree in Biomedical Engineering, or a related field of study. OR, Bachelor's degree, as outlined in paragraph 3.b.(1), plus two full years of progressively higher level graduate education in a related field of study, that demonstrates the KSAs for the GS-9 level assignment. Demonstrated KSAs. 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 healthcare 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. Assignment. Biomedical Engineers, at this developmental level, require direction on more complex tasks. Employees complete technical assignments in the engineering field, under the direction of a senior biomedical engineer and will be required to rotate through, and participate in, the operations of other hospital services. At the GS-9 grade level, employees function with oversight by a supervisor for more complex assignments.] GS-11 (Developmental Level 2) Experience. At least [one] year of experience equivalent to the next lower level (GS-9), and must fully meet the KSAs at that level. OR, Education. Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree in Biomedical Engineering, or a related field of engineering, as outlined in paragraph 3.b.(1).OR, Bachelor's degree, plus three full years of progressively higher level graduate education in a related field of study, as outlined in paragraph 6 3.b (1). 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. GS-12 (Full Performance Level) 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. 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 stake holders, 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 Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-38 Biomedical Engineering Qualification Standard. 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: A significant portion of tasks performed will involve utilizing a computer workstation for extended periods of time configuring software and managing networked medical system. This will involve prolonged periods of sitting or standing while viewing digital displays. The position will also involve lifting and carrying items weighing up to 40lbs on an occasional basis.
Provide the Ambulatory Care Center (ACC) with professional Biomedical Engineering expertise as a working staff Biomedical Engineer. He or she will work with the Supervisory Biomedical Engineer to ensure the equipment management program meets current Joint Commission and NFPA requirements. Serve as Subject Matter Expert with elevated privileges for the Maximo CMMS and Inventory Database involving all user communities including Biomedical Engineering, Facilities Management, Environmental Management, Logistics, and OIT. Is instrumental in assisting with all aspects of VISN-wide implementation of the Maximo program including data cleansing, training, customer support, etc. Serves as Site Administrator and subject matter expert for the Chalmers P. Wylie VA ACC, with additional duties such as adding users, assigning functional groups, providing technical support, and providing training to staff on how to utilize the Maximo Database. Advise 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 solution of Biomedical engineering problems. Develop reports in Maximo pulling data from the Asset, Work Order, Planned Maintenance (PM) and the Space applications for all user communities ensuring all management requirements are met. Functioning as the subject matter expert in the field of biomedical engineering who directly supports specialized clinical technology including service, system administration, networked medical device requirements, training, and quality assurance at a medical center. Assists and advises in the coordination of quality management data for Healthcare Technology Management as well as other services such as Facilities Management, Logistics, and OIT aiding in the compilation of data for quarterly reports including issues such work orders, overtime, energy management, boiler plant efficiencies and engineering funds spent as it relates to reporting in Maximo. Monitors various performance indicators and makes recommendations for improvement. Performs analysis and assists in the completion of the annual CAPRES and EBERS survey as well as reports for other user communities. Serve as a technical advisor on the ACC's equipment committee. As part of a technical team, helps anticipate the development and future clinical use of diagnostic, therapeutic, analytic, and image systems that may not yet be on the market. Serve as a Contracting Officer Representative (COR) and has knowledge of duties such as monitoring contractor's performance, reviewing progress reports, technical reports and assuring work is completed according to the contract. Assists with developing continuing education materials for clinical staff to address the principles and applications of medical instrumentation used in the delivery of healthcare. Assists with sustainment of the Cerner Electronic Health Record medical device and clinical system interfaces. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm or 7:30am to 4:00pm Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Title/Functional Statement #: Biomedical Engineer/ 92753-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required