Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist

Summary Serves as a Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (BESS) within a Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) department at a VA facility. Works in support of the medical equipment management program. Troubleshoots and performs planned maintenance on a range of medical devices and clinical systems. Qualifications To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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: 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 Foreign Education: To be creditable - education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials Grade Determinations: Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist - GS-05 Experience or Education: None beyond the basic requirements Assignment: Employees at this grade level serve as entry-level developmental BESSs It is expected that they receive guidance from more experienced staff members and require regular supervision BESSs at this grade level perform basic tasks designed to prepare them for promotion They troubleshoot and perform planned maintenance on general medical equipment Entry-level BESSs assist with incoming inspections and documentation Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist - GS-07 Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade Knowledge of physics - anatomy - and physiology Knowledge of electronics such as analog - digital - and microprocessor theory Knowledge of the use of standard level test equipment such as multimeters - electrical safety analyzers - patient simulators - storage oscilloscopes - manometers - and tachometers Knowledge of basic networking concepts - such as computer and server hardware and software functionality - information technologies and computer virus protection software - available software patches and upgrades - and information security tools (for example - Microsoft Office - Windows operating systems - and McAfee) Skill in documenting all services provided in support of medical equipment and clinical systems in a computerized maintenance management system Ability to learn equipment operating and maintenance procedures Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist - GS-09 Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade Knowledge of basic networking concepts including Access Control List (ACL) - Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) - and Virtual Local Area Networks (VLAN) Knowledge of computer and server hardware and software functionality including virus protection - operating system patches and upgrades - and information security tools Ability to interpret a variety of technical data such as schematic drawings - wiring diagrams - table charts - mathematical expressions - and formulas Ability to use standard level test equipment including multi-meters - electrical safety analyzers - patient simulators - storage oscilloscopes - manometers - and tachometers Ability to perform equipment maintenance and operating procedures Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist - GS-11 Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade Knowledge of standards including National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) - Food and Drug Administration (FDA) - the Joint Commission (TJC) - and the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) for safe operation of medical equipment and clinical systems Skill in using test and calibration equipment including digital multimeters - electrical safety analyzers - defibrillator analyzers - patient simulators - manometers - tachometers - and Local Area Network (LAN) analyzers Skill in interpreting a variety of technical data including schematic drawings and wiring diagrams Skill in applying networking principles - such as Access Control List (ACL) - Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) - and Virtual Local Area Networks (VLAN) Ability to perform advanced testing to troubleshoot medical equipment and clinical system interfaces Ability to maintain medical computers and software Ability to manage projects involving medical equipment and clinical systems Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11 The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-5 to GS-11 Physical Requirements: This work requires moderating lifting and carrying (15-44lbs) - straight pulling - pulling hand over hand - pushing - reaching above shoulder - use of fingers - both hands required - walking - standing - crawling - kneeling - repeated bending - both legs required - operation of motor vehicle - ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously - far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other - both eyes required - depth perception - ability to distinguish basic and shades of colors - and hearing (aid may be permitted) Environmental factors include excessive noise - intermittent - constant noise - solvents (degreasing agents) - grease and oils - radiant energy - working around moving objects or vehicles - working on ladders or scaffolding - vibration - working closely with others - working alone - and occasional travel. Duties Duties will vary by grade At the GS-11 Full Performance Level duties include - but are not limited to the following: 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 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 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 Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday - 8am - 4:30pm 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 #J-18808-Ljbffr