The Biomedical Engineering Section of Engineering Service oversees medical equipment including technology assessment, strategic planning, acquisition support, implementation, coordination, equipment management, and ongoing maintenance support at Central Texas VA Health Care System. The incumbent supports and advances patient care by applying engineering and managerial skills to healthcare technology.

Duties

Major duties include but not limited to: GS-7 - Entry Level Using basic engineering principles, the incumbent may provide limited professional, biomedical services for the institution. Assignments require judgment in adapting practices and techniques to specific situations usually through a series of related processes. He/She must use resourcefulness and initiative in planning the details for the accomplishment of assignments. A personal plan for learning and continued professional development must be continually advanced and will ultimately be approved by the supervisor. The supervisor will provide specific guidance, as requested, by the incumbent. The incumbent must be able to learn new technology, identify trends, and present to other technical staff. He/She must be able to utilize this information to solve biomedical engineering problems. Presentations may require written and oral communication as well as preparation of technical, informational, and graphical documentation. The incumbent must be able to learn organizational concepts to meet operational needs. Attendance is expected at facility or VISN level meetings and training conferences, as approved by local leadership. Duties or projects typically include facility-based work and may include VISN or National Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) projects. GS-9 through GS-12 The incumbent supports and advances patient care by applying engineering and managerial skills to healthcare technology as demonstrated by the following major responsibilities: Assisting in development of an equipment management program that meets current TJC (The Joint Commission), NFPA (National Fire Protection Agency), and other applicable regulatory requirements. Assisting in the provision, and development, of a continuing education program for clinical staff addressing the principles and application of medical instrumentation used in the delivery of health care. This includes a curriculum that addresses the safe and effective use of medical equipment and/or technology. Assisting in the management of a recall and safety alert program for medical devices, including medical device incident investigations to assure compliance with patient safety goals, SMDA (Safe Medical Device Act), TJC and all other applicable requirements. Assisting in conducting capital asset and infrastructure planning for medical equipment spanning initial concept, installation, and effective implementation of complex medical equipment. Assisting in advising clinical and administrative leadership on medical engineering technology (including existing and emerging technology) addressing viability, long-term suitability, compatibility, and/or safety. Serving as a resource on computer based medical systems, networking protocols, and information security as it applies to medical technology within VHA. Communicating and working collaboratively with key stakeholders, including technical and professional staff at various levels of the organization. Applying project management principles to deployment of medical equipment and health information technologies. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000/Biomedical Engineer Relocation Incentive: May be Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: a. Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3.g.) b. Education and/or Experience. The individual must meet either item (1) or (2) below to meet this requirement: 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, Certification as a Certified Clinical Engineer (CCE) and a bachelor's degree not listed in item 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). c. 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. d. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service. e. English Language Proficiency. Biomedical Engineers must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment listed above, the following education and experience criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: GS-7 Entry Level: (a) Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. (b) Education. Bachelor's degree as outlined in paragraph above or CCE certification with at least a bachelor's degree not listed in paragraph. (c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. None beyond the basic requirements. (d) Assignment. Employees serve in an entry level biomedical engineer career development position. It is expected that biomedical engineers at the entry level receive ongoing guidance from more experienced staff members and perform assignments under close supervision. GS-9 Developmental Level 1 (a) Experience. At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower level. OR, (b) Education Master's degree in Biomedical Engineering, or a related field of study, as outlined in the basic requirements. OR, Bachelor's degree, as outlined in the basic requirements, 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. (c) 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. (d) Assignment. Biomedical Engineers, at this developmental level, require direction on more complex tasks. Employees complete technical assignments in the engineering field, under the direction of a senior biomedical engineer and will be required to rotate through, and participate in, the operations of other hospital services. At the GS-9 grade level, employees function with oversight by a supervisor for more complex assignments. GS-11 Developmental Level 2 (a) Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower level, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level. OR, (b) Education. Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree in Biomedical Engineering, or a related field of engineering, as outlined in the basic requirements. OR, Bachelor's degree, plus three full years of progressively higher level graduate education in a related field of study, as outlined in the basic requirements. (c) 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 Grade Determination continued in the Education Section Preferred Experience: Preferred 2 - 5 years demonstrated ability, experience, and subject matter expert expertise while working at a 1A complexity or similar biomedical engineering department, to include development and sustainment of a large medical equipment management plan, encompassing technology assessment, strategic planning, acquisition support, implementation, coordination, equipment management, and ongoing maintenance support. Demonstrated superior administrative skills, including a thorough understanding of staff requirements for biomedical equipment, facilities and services, human resources processes and procedures to include disciplinary actions, EEO procedures, performance appraisals, etc. Subject matter expert knowledge of The Joint Commission (TJC), National Fire Protection Agency (NAPA), OSHA, cyber security compliance and other applicable industry and regulatory requirements. Knowledge of the recall and safety alert program for medical devices, including medical device incident investigations to assure compliance with patient safety goals, Safe Medical Device Act (SMDA), TJC and all other applicable regulatory standards. Excellent team building acumen, demonstrated by exceptional communication skills with all levels of hospital staff, from Executive Leadership and Service Chief levels to frontline personnel. Ability to work with Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) professionals and direct their related skills to enhance the Biomedical Engineering Department. Participation, membership, and leadership in professional HTM organizations such as: Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI), American College of Clinical Engineering (ACCE), Healthcare Information and Management Systems (HIMSS), American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA), Universities, etc. Expertise in National Acquisition Center purchase and documentation procedures. Demonstrated ability to lead a team in evaluation and best value selection. References: VA Handbook 5005/104, Part II, Appendix G38, Biomedical Engineer Qualification Standard dated March 25, 2019 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. Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work. Work may also require walking/standing, in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site. Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds. See Education for additional Grade Requirements Below:

Education

GRADE DETERMINATION CONTINUED:

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.

(d) Assignment. At the developmental level, employees function on a semi-independent basis with limited oversight by senior biomedical engineers. They participate in medical device hazard investigations, to assure compliance with patient safety goals, the Safe Medical Devices Act (SMDA), TJC requirements, and assist in the development of an equipment management program at the medical center. Employees may lead medical technology deployments, directly support medical equipment, or participate in research projects.

GS-12 Full Performance Level:
(a) 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.
(b) 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 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.

(c) Assignment. At the full performance level, employees work under general supervision with latitude to exercise independent judgment. Drawing upon extended professional and technical experience, employees demonstrate an intimate understanding of complex clinical and biomedical subject matter. They serve as institutional resources, working extensively with clinical stakeholders, supporting clinical services by leading market research, technology assessments, integration planning, and implementation of both current and emerging medical technologies. The employee shares responsibility for managing the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), network security issues for medical systems, and the information communicated across these systems. Biomedical Engineers at the GS-12 grade level further support the clinical mission by contributing to the continuing education program for clinical staff, helping ensure safe and efficient healthcare delivery. Biomedical Engineers at the GS-12 grade level support the institution by assisting with capital asset and infrastructure planning, to help ensure successful strategic planning. They may collaborate frequently with contracting to execute judicious healthcare technology procurements. Within the Biomedical Engineering Department, the employee provides leadership that ensures high quality and responsive customer service is an integral component of biomedical engineering service delivery. They are highly effective communicators, capable of serving as subject matter experts directly supporting the life cycle management of clinical technology, to include ongoing service, system administration, training, and quality assurance. At this level, employees may assist in clinical research projects in the biomedical engineering field.

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.

Contacts

• Address VA Central Texas Health Care System 1901 Veterans Memorial Drive Temple, TX 76504 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]