Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist

Summary

The Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (BESS-Information Systems) works in support of the Clinical Engineering Section/Biomedical Shop by providing leadership, guidance, and supervision among assigned employees. Manages all medical systems such as imaging, life support, dialysis, and monitoring network support.

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Duties

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• Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Completes both routine and complex assignments involved identifying and troubleshooting issues.
• Manages, troubleshoots and maintains complete systems of computerized networks, databases and servers including but not limited to biomedical information systems that store or facilitate patient information.
• Implements and plans for new and emerging technologies including but not limited to diagnostic modalities, network management and storage, and virtual data centers.
• Designs, implements and manages network incident response due to infection, loss of service or regional and local policy changes according to VA guidelines.
• As assigned, employee is responsible for lifecycle management of any and all medical devices and systems such as imaging, life support, dialysis, and monitoring to include physical and network support.
• Maintains functional knowledge of relevant safety codes and standards of regulatory bodies including but not limited to The Joint Commission (TJC), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI), American College of Radiology (ACR), Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS).
• Documents all work performed in the computerized maintenance management system (CMMS).
• As assigned, functions as a Contracting Officer Representative (COR) and keeps appropriate certification levels.
• Investigates, remediates and documents recalls and safety alerts within established timeframes.
• Maintains knowledge of the state of the art in medical technology, including scientific advances, network protocols, and vendor changes. Focuses on professional development in all areas of medical technology lifecycle management, including technical skills. Knowledge and training is obtained from formal (conference, classes) or informal (magazines, articles, peer training) means.
• Provides training and education as appropriate to medical technology end users and clinical staff.
• Provides mentoring and technical training to peers and development graded BESS.
• May be tasked with leading and managing installation or upgrade projects for biomedical information systems, backup servers, other communication systems and other medical devices and systems.
• Additional duties are performed as assigned by supervisor related to maintenance, remediation, and tracking of medical systems (action items, special projects, etc.) to meet mission critical requirements.
• Represents Biomedical/Clinical Engineering department on committees and in meetings as delegated by supervisor.

Work Schedule : 7: 00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (Subject to change based on the needs of the facility)

Telework : Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement # : 01670-F

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives : Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
• Must provide clean driving record report from the DMV during the pre-employment process.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

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 to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
• 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.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-12.

Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:(a) Skill in managing workflow by directing the work of others to accomplish program goals and objectives.(b) Skill in developing policies to oversee medical equipment and clinical systems.(c) Skill in managing interpersonal relationships between employees, team leaders, and managers.(d) Ability to analyze data to optimize quality, efficiency, performance, and productivity.(e) Ability to supervise subordinate staff (for example, plan, organize, delegate, direct, control, review activities, and performance).(f) Ability to provide guidance on multiple types of medical equipment and clinical systems.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12.

Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, puling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment.

Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situation

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit

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 GS 12 .

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit:

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.