This position serves as the Biomedical Engineer(Chief),Engineering Service. This position is responsible for the planning, organizing, directing, evaluating, and management process for Service Line programs, which include setting qualitative and quantitative standards.

Duties

Major duties include, but are not limited to: Provides V APAHCS with professional biomedical engineering support. Biomedical Engineering work required, in addition to knowledge and skill in engineering disciplines, includes a background in physiology and anatomy and a practical ability in specialized subject matter areas, such as computer applications, electronics or mathematics. The workload creates a diversity of mental demands on the incumbent, as well as knowledge in multiple scientific disciplines, including electrical engineering, physics, chemistry, biology, mechanical engineering, and biomedical engineering. His/her assignments will be of a special nature with short deadline dates on occasion, necessitating expedient service and unusual tact and diplomacy. Helps anticipate the development and future clinical use of diagnostic, therapeutic, analytic and imaging systems not yet on the market. Additionally, the incumbent must be able to evaluate the implications that such changes in technology and systems will have on the clinical staff, the biomedical engineering program, and the VAMC in general. Conducts an equipment management program that meets current requirements from The Joint Commission (TJC) and NFPA, including planning, selection, consultation, installation, application, and maintenance of medical equipment. Manages a QA process that provides oversight to assure that medical instrumentation at the V AMC is safe for use on patients; appropriately accurate in its results; available for use within a reasonable timeframe following failure; and, that the program is as cost-effective as possible. Assures the provision of a continuing education program for clinical staff addressing the principles and application of medical instrumentation used in the delivery of healthcare. Manages a recall and safety alert program for medical equipment, including medical device incident investigations to assure compliance with patient safety goals, SMDA, and TJC requirements. The incumbent acts as a technical expert for finding solutions to problems on a temporary or long-term basis. He/she provides technical expertise to Medical Center staff regarding alerts and recalls when needed, and reports necessary alerts and recalls to the Safety and Risk Management Committee. The incumbent consults with VA staff at the facility, VISN, and CO level regarding solutions to alerts and recalls, and also consults technical experts outside of the VA. Has full responsibility for developing a budget for the Biomedical Engineering section. Prepares technical written and oral detailed plans, survey reports, corrective action and follow-up reports. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:03125-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

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.] English Language Proficiency. Biomedical Engineers must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. 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: Supervisory Biomedical Engineer (Clinical), GS-14 Experience. Completion of at least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower level, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the biomedical engineer (clinical) must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: i. Ability to manage overall department resources, i.e., finance, space, equipment, supplies, and staffing at a highly complex medical center or at the VISN level. ii. Ability to develop local or VISN policies and/or draft directives related to healthcare technology management. iii. Skill in balancing multiple responsibilities, setting priorities, delegating tasks and projects, meeting multiple deadlines, analyzing organizational problems, and developing and implementing effective solutions. iv. Ability to analyze complex organizational and operational problems to develop and implement solutions that result in efficient operations, and use data effectively to manage workload, quality, performance, and productivity within the area of responsibility. v. Skill in interpersonal relationships leading and dealing with employees, team leaders, and managers, within and outside the biomedical engineering program, to include conflict management, dispute resolution, mediation, or reasonable accommodations. References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G38 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-14. Physical Requirements: The work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts that require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices, training rooms, and libraries. The work area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. The Chief Engineer must also work outdoors in all types of weather. There may be occasional exposure to moderate risks or discomforts in storage areas or hazardous waste sites. The work is primarily sedentary, although some physical effort may be required, e.g., walking, standing, climbing ladders, stooping, kneeling, and carrying light items such as manuals or briefcases, or driving or traveling by motor vehicle.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application.

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 Palo Alto VA Medical Center 3801 Miranda Avenue Palo Alto, CA 94304 US
• Name: Timothy McBrian
• Phone: 650-852-3216
• Email: [email protected]