Serves as a Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (BESS) specialized in imaging equipment within a Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) department at a VA facility. Works in support of the medical equipment management program. In addition to duties at the full performance level, the BESS maintains imaging equipment and clinical systems.
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: (1) Associates or higher degree in the biomedical technology or biomedical engineering field; OR (2) Associates or higher degree in electronics, a field of information technology, or engineering (other than biomedical engineering) AND 1 year of creditable experience; OR (3) Completion of the Department of Defense (DOD) biomedical equipment technician training program; OR 3 (4) Completion of a DOD training program in repair and maintenance of electronic systems or information technology AND 1 year of creditable experience; OR (5) Completion of a biomedical engineering technician or Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) certificate program that included an internship or apprenticeship; OR (6) Completion of biomedical engineering technician or HTM certificate program that did not include an internship AND 1 year of creditable experience; OR (7) 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. c. Grandfathering Provision. Employees in VHA in this occupation, under a permanent, appropriate, and legal placement on the effective date of the qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade and assignment held including positive education and certification. Specialized Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Specialized experience includes: -Managing medical equipment and clinical systems including installation, planned maintenance, troubleshooting, repair, calibrations, electrical safety inspections, patient safety, cybersecurity, and decommissioning; planning, implementing, and providing technical and project oversight for medical equipment and clinical systems; developing technical requirements, drafting requests for proposal (RFP) language, sole-source justifications, and statements of work -Conducting market research, product evaluations, evaluate contractor performance, and conduct pre-procurement assessments. -Serving as a Contracting Officer Representative (COR) or Contracting Officer Technical Representative (COTR) to purchase medical equipment, maintenance and repair contracts, and facility projects as needed. BESSs -Conducting prepurchase evaluations and address pre-implementation security issues to ensure medical device isolation architecture (MDIA) requirements are met, consulting with and advise clinical and administrative staff in evaluating medical equipment and clinical systems proposed for purchase. -Performing incoming inspections on medical equipment and systems to determine that all safety regulations, manufacturer's specifications, contract requirements, and needs of users are met, and they initiate corrective action when necessary, providing instruction and guidance to end users on proper use and care of equipment including operator-level maintenance of equipment and accessories. -Partnering with customers to determine the nature and scope of the customer's issues and needs, providing an appropriate response and applicable solutions, and ensuring the customer is apprised of delays and significant steps until completion. -Ensuring inventory accuracy of networked medical equipment and clinical systems to identify and mitigate cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Ensuring proper disposal of medical equipment and clinical systems including removal of protected health information (PHI) and hazardous materials, documenting all activities and ensure the data are correctly entered into the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS). -Ensuring compliance with all applicable standards, policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements such as 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). Grade Determinations: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of imaging principles including techniques, technologies, radiological practices, and procedures. (b) Knowledge of HL7 and DICOM standards. (c) Skill in applying standards for safe operation of medical equipment and clinical systems including National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Nuclear Radiation Commission (NRC), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Joint Commission (TJC), and the American College of Radiology (ACR). (d) Ability to resolve complex failures on imaging equipment and clinical systems. (e) Ability to perform advanced testing to troubleshoot imaging equipment and clinical system interfaces. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required.
FUNCTIONS OR SCOPES OF PRACTICE. - Manages imaging systems and databases. - Configures and supports interfaces on imaging equipment and clinical systems. - Coordinates and implements cybersecurity measures and disaster recovery plans. - Performs manufacturer-level maintenance on imaging systems. - Manages the planning, acquisition, and installation of imaging equipment. - Serves as a subject matter expert on assigned committees, projects, and workgroups. - 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. -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 equipment and clinical systems. - Serves as a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) and/or purchase card holder. - Develops documentation to purchase commodities and/or vendor services. Manages, monitors, and evaluates contractor performance and addresses issues or deficiencies. - Complies with applicable standards, policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements. - Provides guidance and mentorship to expand professional knowledge and enhance technical skillsets. - Maintains and enhances knowledge in technological advancements through professional development and technical training. - 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. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm or 7:30am-4:00pm Telework: Not Eligible Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 460-05536-F