Biomedical Engineer

Summary

The incumbent performs as a Staff Biomedical Engineer for the Clinical Engineering Service within the St. Louis VA Health Care System which consists of a two division medical center. The Clinical Engineering Service oversees all medical equipment and their associated clinical systems.

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Duties

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Major Duties:

• Assists in the EHRM for integration for medical/clinical systems. May take on the project or implementation lead for varying systems as required to implement EHRM standards and connectivity requirements.
• Performs as a Staff Biomedical Engineer within the Clinical Engineering Service that maintains, supports, and implements a Healthcare Technology Management Program that meets or exceeds The Joint Commission, NFPA, OIG, FDA, and other applicable healthcare regulatory requirements.
• Serves as a staff advisor within the Clinical Engineering Service in the area of Biomedical Engineering as well as engineering principles and practices, which relate to the area of specialization.
• Functions as a subject matter expert in the field of biomedical engineering who directly supports specialized clinical technology including service, system administration, training, and quality assurance at a medical center.
• Conducts data analysis on medical equipment utilization, repairs, and errors to support the Medical Equipment Management Plan (MEMP).
• Develops the work performance specifications for a variety of service contractors. Monitors the work of service contractors to assure that the work performance meets the needs of the medical center and conforms to the terms of the contract. Communicates essential contract information to personnel in the using services. Interfaces with a multiplicity of services on solving problems related to both current and past contracts.
• Provides support to VISN and National Initiatives. Participates in workgroups as offered by these levels of the organization, and approved by supervisor, to assist in improving overall Healthcare Technology Management operations.
• Develops and maintains a personal development plan for continuing education that addresses new trends in medical equipment and/or technology and its safe and effective use in the delivery of healthcare. This plan shall also include development of skills to effectively communicate, both orally and in writing, with a wide variety of individuals, including technical and professional clinical staff, to communicate technical information.
• Manages a recall and safety alert program for medical devices, including medical device incident investigations to assure compliance with patient safety goals, SMDA, and Joint Commission requirements.
• Advises 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.
• Assists with capital asset and infrastructure planning for medical equipment spanning initial concept, installation, and effective implementation of complex medical equipment.
• Has shared responsibility for the development, purchase, and implementation of medical technology . This may entail the modification of existing devices or interfaces within systems to meet the specific requirements of the medical center.
• Assists in implementation of electronic devices, systems, and computers related to patient care equipment to assure that they are utilized efficiently and safely. Observes the use of these devices and seeks user feedback to ensure new technology implementation supports and/or improves clinical workflow.
• Assists with Equipment Committee aspects including, but not limited to requesting, prioritizing, and purchasing of new equipment. This includes utilizing the VA's EER/SEPG System.
• Shares responsibility in ensuring that HIPAA and network security issues are managed effectively for medical systems. Documentation of such systems including details such as backup, disaster recovery, security, etc. is difficult in scope but critical to management of the networked systems. Shares responsibility in updating documentation of network connections of medical systems, including information on VLAN, IP address, subnet mask, default gateway, network switch, and port numbers.
• Assists in development of new tools and methodologies to collect, track, and display data or other information to appropriate staff. Develops creative ideas, designs and solutions that would enhance patient care and satisfaction.
• Represents Clinical Engineering department on committees and in meetings as delegated by supervisor
• Additional duties are performed as assigned by supervisor related to Biomedical Engineering principles of medical systems to meet mission critical requirements. May be asked to assist in other administrative duties as well, including participating in hiring panels.

Work Schedule : Monday-Friday, 7:00am-3:30pm or 7:30am-4:00pm or 8:00am-4:30pm

Telework : Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement # : 00000000

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 dentification 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 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.
• Education and/or Experience. [The individual must meet either item (1) or (2) below to meet this requirement:

1. 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,
2. Certification as a Certified Clinical Engineer (CCE) and a bachelor's degree not listed in item 3.b.(1) 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).

• Physical Requirements . See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service.
• English Language Proficiency. Biomedical Engineers must be proficient in spoken and written English.

Grade Determinations : In addition to the basic requirements for employment [listed in paragraph 3 above], the following education and experience criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

GS-7 Entry Level

None beyond the basic requirements

GS-9 Developmental Level 1

Experience. At least [one] year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower level.

OR,

Education Master's degree in Biomedical Engineering, or a related field of study OR Bachelor's degree, as outlined in basic requirements, 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.

AND

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities : 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 health care 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

GS-11 Developmental Level 2

Experience. At least [one] year of experience equivalent to the next lower level, GS-09 [and must fully meet the KSAs at that level.]

OR,

Education

i. Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree in Biomedical Engineering, or a related field of engineering.

OR,

ii. Bachelor's degree, plus three full years of progressively higher level graduate education in a related field of study

AND,

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

1. Experience. Completion of at least [one] year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-11); or completion of a post-doctoral research fellowship in the field of biomedical engineering, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level
2. 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] requirement 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 stakeholders, 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: For more information on this qualification standard (Appendix G38), 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-7 to 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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