Biomedical Engineer

Summary

The Staff Biomedical Engineer assists with the Healthcare Technology Management program for the VA Palo Alto Health Care System. They are responsible for supporting a comprehensive medical equipment support program that must ensure the safety, reliability, and diagnostic/therapeutic efficacy of all devices employed in the direct and indirect delivery to patient care.

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Duties

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Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Responsible for supporting a comprehensive medical equipment support program to ensure the safety, reliability, and diagnostic/therapeutic efficacy of all devices employed in the direct and indirect delivery of patient care.
• Performs activities related to strategic equipment planning, equipment procurement evaluation, equipment deployment and implementation, including equipment procured through the National Acquisition Center; hazard alerts and recalls; patient safety reports and incident investigations; networking of medical devices; computerized maintenance management system ( CMMS ) support; and achievement of key performance indicators ( KPIs ).
• Uses basic engineering principles to provide limited professional biomedical engineering services for the institution. Applies this knowledge to Healthcare Technology Management ( HTM ) functions involving complex, multidisciplinary medical systems.
• Supports the equipment maintenance program, particularly preventive maintenance and electrical safety, by learning optimal inspection frequencies based on professional judgment concerning reliability statistics; manufacturer recommendations; accrediting guidelines or regulatory requirements; and, at times, developing instructions and specifications for new equipment or technologies.
• Assists medical and administrative staff with contracts and purchase transactions related to medical equipment.
• Continually learns new technology, identifies trends, and presents information to other technical staff to support the HTM training program and keep staff current on changing technology within available resources. Uses this information to solve biomedical engineering problems.
• Maintains professional engineering knowledge of legislative and accrediting requirements at the medical center. Requirements include federal agencies and standards-such as the FDA , NFPA , EPA , and OSHA -as well as state and local authorities having jurisdiction over protection, quality of life, and the environment, and accrediting bodies such as The Joint Commission (TJC) and the College of American Pathologists (CAP) . Follows all applicable policies and procedures.
• Coordinates and manages VAPAHCS projects requiring HTM involvement, serving as a lead or interface as assigned. Projects generally involve facility-based work and may include VISN- or National HTM -level initiatives. Assignments may span several weeks and require interdepartmental coordination.
• Supports the Medical Device Protection Program ( MDPP ), including devices within the Medical Device Isolation Architecture ( MDIA ) and related network-security issues.
• Evaluates major failure problems and inadequate performance of medical-equipment systems. Develops knowledge of a broad range of medical-equipment systems to resolve these problems.
• Prepares quality-assurance monitoring reports, standard operating procedures, and preventive-maintenance procedures as required. Develops, assists in developing, or reviews medical-center policy within the assigned area of responsibility.
• Presents written and oral communications and prepares technical, informational, and graphical documentation.
• Introduces new technology and practices involving medical systems to the medical center, often affecting clinical and administrative service processes.
• Demonstrates a high degree of technical and management judgment, initiative, originality, and resourcefulness to efficiently anticipate, identify, and resolve unique technical and operational problems in a highly dynamic environment.
• Helps establish a constructive workplace environment that maximizes the morale and efficiency of HTM staff so the Medical Center's needs are effectively met.
• Adheres to the code of ethics and consistently behaves in a professional manner.

Pay: Competitive salary, regular salary increases, potential for performance awards

Paid Time Off: 50 days of paid time off per year (26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)

Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA

Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 0800 - 1630

Telework: Not Eligible

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS) : Not Authorized

Functional Statement #: 10672F, 10673F, 10674F, 10675F

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• 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.
• 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).
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
• Requires BLS Certification.

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 in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
• Education and/or Experience, or Certification: 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).

Grade Determinations : In addition to the basic requirements for employment the following education and experience criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates:

Biomedical Engineer GS-7 (Entry Level)

• Experience. None beyond the basic requirements.
• Education. Bachelor's degree or CCE certification with at least a bachelor's degree.

Biomedical Engineer, GS-9

• 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 plus two full years of progressively higher level graduate education in a related field of study, provided the applicant's total background demonstrates the KSAs for the GS-9 level assignment.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs

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.

Biomedical Engineer, GS-11

• Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower level, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level. OR,
• Education: Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree in Biomedical Engineering, or a related field of engineering. OR, Bachelor's degree, plus three full years of progressively higher level graduate education in a related field of study.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

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.

Biomedical Engineer, GS-12 (Full Performance Level)

• Experience. Completion of at least [one] year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower level; or completion of a post-doctoral research fellowship in the field of biomedical engineering, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

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.

References: VA Handbook 5005/130, Part II, Appendix G38 - Biomedical Engineer Qualification Standard. 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.

Physical Requirements: Work involves standing, walking, stooping, bending, climbing stairs, and frequently working in cramped spaces for prolonged periods. The employee continually lifts from 10 to 40 pounds and occasionally objects weighing in excess of 40 pounds. The work also involves coping with complex, persistent demands from a variety of sources that can be regarded as a high pressure environment.

Education

MPORTANT: 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:

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 above.

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.

Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).

Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year)Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience.

Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.

Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66.

Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA

Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)

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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.