This position is located in the Biomedical Engineering (BME) Program at the VA Medical Center, Tomah, Wisconsin. Incumbent serves as a senior staff biomedical engineer at the facility. Has the ability to meet all lower Functional Statement performance levels of the Biomedical Engineer 0858 series. Coordinates and directs the work of technicians and interns assigned to the Biomedical Engineering Program.
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 requirements: 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. 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: Specialized Experience GS 12: Do you possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience that equipped you with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the Biomedical Engineer? To be credible, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-11 level in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: participate in medical device hazard investigations to assure compliance with patient safety goals, the Safe Medical Devices Act (SMDA), and JCAHO requirements; assist in clinical research projects in the biomedical engineering field; knowledge of an equipment management program that meets current Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Health Care Organizations (JCAHO) and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) requirements; Develops material for a continuing education program for clinical staff that addresses the principles and application of medical instrumentation used in the delivery of healthcare; Advises clinical and administrative staff on emerging medical engineering technology, while keeping abreast of changes in such technology, and utilizing the information to solve biomedical engineering problems; performs fact-finding research, verification of data, BME analysis of assigned material; preparation of draft correspondence in response to technical inquiries concerning BME policies, programs, and objectives; and collaboration with senior BME staff in developing presentation materials and briefing books, etc. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary. Some work may require periods of walking, standing, bending, climbing, or driving a motor vehicle in activities such as inspections of installed equipment and visits to construction sites and industrial, commercial, agricultural, and other business establishments. Employees may carry light items such as books, instruments, and other similar materials. The work does not require any special physical effort.
Major duties: Responsible for planning, organizing, reviewing, installing/implementing Medical Equipment capital assets. Responsible for creation and modification of all policies and procedures for medical equipment that meet or exceed Joint Commission, NFPA, FDA, SMDA or VA standards, including annual reviews, performance improvement, and implementation. Responsible for new equipment purchasing including planning, budgeting, prioritizing, evaluating, and implementing/installing new equipment. Applies advanced theories, principles, concepts and practices of Biomedical Engineering to keep abreast of changes in technology and utilize that information to meet operational needs. Manages the recall and safety alerts for medical devices. Instigates incidents to assure compliance with patient safety goals, SMDA and Joint Commission requirements. Investigates situations or phenomena which have or may affect or compromise efficacy of medical services. Acts as medical center liaison to outside agencies (manufacturers, FDA, etc.) concerning design, modification, application, operation, maintenance, reliability, performance and incidents. Directs quality assurance program for clinical equipment which includes incoming inspection and acceptance testing, performance and safety testing, calibration, and maintenance and repair programs. Develops and implements curriculum for staff that addresses the safe and effective use of medical equipment and technology on a continuing basis. Coordinates with other Biomedical Engineering staff for medical equipment project planning and implementation. Interacts with medical staff to prepare incident reports involving medical equipment to comply with the Safe Medical Devices Act. Participates in and helps organize investigations to gather data necessary for these incident reports. Serves as a consultant and technical expert to medial staff and medical center management in all areas relating to complex and specialized medical equipment. This includes equipment selection, installation, maintenance, administration, misuse, replacement, clinical problems, and quality assurance. Work Schedule: Full time, Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm. Telework: Ad-Hoc telework will be discussed during interview. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 08065F