Biomedical Engineer

Summary

Highly desirable: 2+ years of expertise in Medical Device Isolation Architecture (MDIA), Specialized Device Isolation Architecture (SDIA), networked systems (VM servers, databases), cybersecurity, vulnerability management, backups, ACLs/firewalls, and EMR integration with medical devices. Also desirable: 2+ years of experience in project management, service contract management, and lifecycle management of high-cost, high-tech medical equipment and systems.

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Duties

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Major duties to include but not limited to:

• Supports and advances patient care by applying core biomedical engineering skills to healthcare technology.
• Provides professional, biomedical services as it relates to: technology assessment, acquisition, and implementation of medical devices and systems; management of complex networked medical devices, including network security and medical device connectivity and interoperability; patient safety; medical equipment management; financial analysis; and infrastructure planning.
• Provides assistance to the clinical staff in selection, deployment, and utilization of medical equipment.
• Keeps abreast on changes in medical equipment in order to advise the clinical staff on current and emerging technologies.
• Serve as a project manager and technical expert for medical device implementations.
• Collaborates with facility leadership, clinical program managers, key stakeholders, and other VISN and national Biomedical Engineers/managers in order to facilitate technical and administrative aspects of the projects as assigned and appropriate.
• Serves as the biomedical subject matter expert (SME) on the implementation of medical technology in the areas of highcost/ high-tech medical technology, including site preparation requirement assessment, project activities and timeliness, and training of equipment operators and maintenance staff.
• Contributes to several clinical and administrative medical center committees, including but not limited to, Equipment Committee, Environment of Care Committee, Radiation Safety Committee, etc.
• Contributes to VHA, VISN, and VA Long Beach Healthcare System patient safety goals.
• Assures that all medical equipment recalls, and hazard alerts are managed and acted upon as appropriate and equipment related safety enhancements are implemented as instructed.
• Investigates any incidents involving medical equipment.
• Oversees the Medical Equipment Management Program (MEMP) within the medical center that directly impacts all clinical services provided in the healthcare system.
• Ensures the provision of safe, reliably maintained, and clinically appropriate medical equipment for the delivery of quality healthcare in a cost-effective manner.
• Assists in the management of the MEMP in accordance with patient safety goals, standards, and regulations set forth by The Joint Commission (TJC), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), etc.
• Analyzes maintenance strategies including review of out-sourcing versus inhouse support and recommends optimal maintenance strategies for medical device systems.
• Participates in medical technology management and equipment procurement processes including the administration and technical oversight of service contracts, as well as contributes to price negotiations, to ensure proper equipment functionality.
• Provides input to the Supervisory Biomedical Engineer during annual budget preparations.
• Provides biomedical engineering and project management support for capital asset and infrastructure planning of complex medical equipment during the purchase, planning, construction design review, installation, and in-service training stages of medical equipment projects such as cardiac catheterization laboratories, radiology suites and computer systems software.
• Functions medical equipment station level projects including: technology assessments, clinical/technical procurement specifications, equipment evaluations, site preparation, pre-procurement planning, technical configurations, ongoing maintenance/support, and decommissioning.
• Collaborates with the Office of Information & Technology (OI&T), as appropriate, to secure IT resources & engagement with respect to medical technology initiatives and equipment projects.
• Provides expert knowledge relating to computer networks, network access, Information Technology (IT) security, cyber security sanitization, computer-to-computer ommunication protocols, such as HL-7, and VA medical equipment-related IT policies.
• Arranges site preparation for medical equipment for station level projects, non-recurring maintenance projects, clinical specific initiatives, minor construction, and tum-key project designs. Infrastructure planning support ranges from conceptual design to very detailed plans.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Work Schedule : Monday though Friday 7:30 am-4:00pm.

Compressed/Flexible : Not Available.

Telework : Not Available.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement # : 000000

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives : Not Authorized.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): 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.
• 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.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may 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: Biomedical Engineers must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
• Education and/or Experience
  
  
  • 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. (Acceptable engineering degrees include: Biomedical Engineering, Clinical Engineering, Bioengineering, Biomechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Biochemical Engineering); 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).

Grandfathering Provision: All persons employed in VHA in this occupation, on the effective date of this qualification standard, are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education, and/or certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:

1. Such employees in an occupation that does not require a certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted, or demoted within the occupation.
2. Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis, prior to the effective date of the qualification standard, may not have their temporary appointment extended, or be reappointed on a temporary, or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.
3. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or certification/registration, that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard, must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.
4. If an employee, who was retained in an occupation listed in 38 U.S.C. § 7401(3) under this provision, leaves that occupation, the employee loses protected status, and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation.

Grade Determinations :

GS-7 Experience: No experience beyond the basic requirements listed above; OR,

Education: Bachelor's degree or CCE certification with at least a bachelor's degree not listed above.

GS-9 Experience: Applicants must have at least 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-7); OR,

Education: Applicants can substitute a Master's degree in Biomedical Engineering, or related field of study (as listed above); or applicants can substitute a bachelor's degree (as listed above) plus 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education in a field of study.

-AND-

In addition to the experience/education above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSA's:

1. Knowledge of the principles, theories, concepts, and practices of the Biomedical Engineering profession.
2. Ability to interpret relevant codes, regulations, guidelines, and standards, and make recommendations to ensure compliance with medical center programs.
3. Ability to understand the operational needs of clinical services in the health care system.
4. 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.

GS-11 Experience: Applicants must have at least 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-9); OR,

Education: Applicants can substitute a Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree in Biomedical Engineering, or a related field of engineering (as listed above); or applicants can substitute a bachelor's degree (as listed above) plus 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education in a field of study.

-AND-

In addition to the experience/education above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSA's:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Knowledge of basic project management principles, as applied to the healthcare setting and medical equipment, and information system implementation.

GS-12 Experience: Applicants must have at least 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11); OR,

Successful completion of a post-doctoral research fellowship in the field of biomedical engineering.

-AND-

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSA's:

1. Ability to conduct a medical equipment management or biomedical research program that is compliant with applicable healthcare standards and regulatory agencies.
2. Ability to develop a curriculum for a continuing education program, that address the safe and effective use of medical technology, and/or research devices.
3. 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.
4. Ability to conduct capital asset and infrastructure planning for medical equipment spanning initial concept, installation, and effective implementation of complex medical equipment.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Knowledge of concepts related to computer based medical systems, networking protocols, and information security as it applies to medical technology within VHA.
8. Skill in communicating and working collaboratively with key stakeholders, including technical and professional staff at various levels of the organization.
9. Ability to apply project management principles to deployment of medical equipment and health information technologies.

NOTE: Applicants, including current incumbents, must clearly demonstrate all required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA's) on their resume, as experience cannot be credited unless explicitly stated. Failure may result in disqualification.

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 range of GS-07 to GS-12.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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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