The Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (BESS) (Biomedical Information Systems) provides administrative support to staff and administrators for all matters of concern relating to North Texas Health Care System wide lifecycle management of Innovian networks, networked medical equipment and associated systems.

Duties

Lifecycle management of network equipment including but not limited to network switches, servers, routers, and related infrastructure for all networked complex medical devices and systems such as monitoring and documenting. 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 loss of service or regional and local policy changes according to VA guidelines. Responsible for lifecycle management of all medical devices and systems such as monitoring and documenting to include physical and network support. Completes both routine and complex assignments involved in the installation, maintenance, modification, troubleshooting, repair, and calibration of these complex therapeutic, diagnostic and life support medical devices and systems. 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), etc. Documents all work performed in the computerized maintenance management system (CMMS). Functions as a Contracting Officer Representative (COR) and keeps appropriate certification levels. Investigates, remediates and documents recalls and safety alerts within established timeframes. Participates in local safety improvement processes such as Root Cause Analysis (RCA), safety work groups, and Environment of Care Rounds. Maintains knowledge of the state of the art in medical technology, including scientific advances, network protocols, and vendor changes. Provides training and education as appropriate to medical technology end users and clinical staff. Provides mentoring and technical training to peers and development graded staff. Performs additional duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:00am - 3:30pm 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 Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: Citizenship: Citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Experience and Education: Associates degree in Biomedical Electronics Technology, Biomedical Equipment Technology or Biomedical Engineering Technology or in a related technical field such as Electronic Technology or Information Technology and two years of experience as a Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist, Biomedical Equipment Technician, Field Service Engineer, Medical Equipment Repairer, or Information Technology Specialist. OR Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Engineering Technology or in a related field such as Electronics Engineering Technology (EET) or Information Technology. OR Completion of a military training program in biomedical equipment and two years of experience as a Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist or Biomedical Equipment Technician, Field Service Engineer, Medical Equipment Repairer or Information Technology Specialist. English Language Proficiency. Candidates will not be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C. chapters 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English. Grade Determinations: Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (Biomedical Information Systems), GS-12 Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Current knowledge of computer virus protection software, available software patches and upgrades, and information security tools. (b) Expert knowledge of electronics, computer and networking theory with experience maintaining, interfacing and troubleshooting networked medical equipment to include VLAN configuration, IP addressing, sub-netting, and network security. (c) Ability to utilize and maintain computer and server based medical equipment, medical record databases, and proprietary and generic software, Experience with TCP/IP, HL7, networking, network security, and DICOM standards. (d) Ability to interpret, identify, and apply network engineering principles and practices where there often times is no previous example to follow, or precedence. (e) Skill to distinguish networking problems from non-networking problems and discuss various options with IT networking and operations staff members. Assignment. For all assignments above the full-performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Manages complete systems of central computerized networks, databases, analytic servers and medical device networks. Implements and plans for new or emerging technologies such as new diagnostic modalities, network management and storage appliances, virtual data centers and associated software. Coordinates and provides technical and project oversight of CIS, ARK, Imaging, and similar biomedical information systems (e.g., analytics, data bridge interface, anesthesia record keeping, cardiology information systems, and diagnostic medical imaging systems). Coordinates with OI&T for functionality, space availability, maintenance and replacement of server(s), and facilitating infrastructure updates and upgrades for servers, operating system problems, and virus protection. May manage entire data center dedicated to medical device servers. Identities and troubleshoots issues related to VLAN configuration, IP addressing, sub-netting, HL7 messaging, DICOM standards, and network security to minimize downtime. Most systems are server based with special requirements both in scope of attention and environmental security concerns. Examples of typical devices or systems include, but is not limited to, Computerized Voice Recognition systems, Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) (Dental, Ophthalmology, Radiology & Cardiology PACS), and patient data management systems. Evaluates compatibility and adaptability of the biomedical devices for integration over the medical center's local area network (LAN) and wide area network (WAN). Maintains documentation of assigned medical IT equipment/systems to include ePHI requirements, VLAN, IP addresses, anti-virus software, security, and other necessary information. Addresses pre-implementation security issues to ensure that medical device isolation architecture (MDIA) requirements are met. Regularly reviews available software patches/updates and virus software updates for applicability to medical IT equipment. Coordinates with other BESSs, manufacturers, informatics, and IT staff to complete required software updates and system/data backups. Ensures compliance of networked attached clinical systems to all Medical Device Protection Program (MDPP) requirements. Designs, implements and manages appropriate security measures and disaster recovery plan that is critical to ensure system uptime and prevent loss of patient data from critical computerized databases and operating systems. May participate in VISN wide projects to provide their expertise in medical device isolation architecture (MDIA), Biomedical Server Virtualization, storage of Protected Health Information (PHI). May serve as a Contracting Officer Representative (COR) for the purchase of medical equipment, maintenance/repair contracts, and facility projects. This work includes but is not limited to; drafting Request for Proposal (RFP) language, sole-source justifications, Statements of Work (SOW), conducting market research, product evaluations, evaluating contractor performance, and pre-procurements assessments. Preferred Experience: Knowledge and comprehensive understanding of Picture Archiving Communication Systems (PACS), physiological monitoring systems, Clinical Information Systems (CIS), Anesthesia Record Keeping (ARK), and other systems for which Medical Device Isolation Architecture (MDIA) would apply. Advanced knowledge of electronics and Medical equipment with skill in repairing and maintaining this equipment. Ability to implement and plan for new and emerging technologies including but not limited to diagnostic modalities, network management and storage, and virtual data centers. Ability to regularly review and install available approved software updates and virus definitions for applicable networked medical devices. Ability obtain FAC COR certification to functions as a Contracting Officer Representative (COR) and keeps appropriate certification levels. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels. References: VA Handbook 5005/95 Part II Appendix G49, February 7, 2018. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 pounds and over), straight pulling (0.5 hours), pushing (0.5 hours), reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, walking (4 hours), standing (4 hours), crawling (0.5 hours), kneeling (0.5 hours), repeated bending (0.5 hours), climbing, use of legs and arms, both legs required, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, near vision correctable to 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; both eyes required, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors, ability to distinguish shades of colors, hearing (aid permitted) and oral communication.

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: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.
Note: If your school was accredited by Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet.

Contacts

• Address Dallas VA Medical Center 4500 South Lancaster Road Dallas, TX 75216 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]