The Biomedical Engineer is assigned to support the Polytrauma System of Care with VA Palo Alto Healthcare System in Palo Alto, CA. The Biomedical Engineer is part of a comprehensive interdisciplinary team that provides guidance on assistive technology services with emphasis on human characteristics, functional task/activity demands and requirements, commercially available technologies, and contextual environments.

Duties

This position will use engineering principles to develop technological solutions and devices to assist individuals with disabilities and aid the recovery of physical and cognitive functions lost because of disease. The biomedical engineer is the subject matter expert in specialized clinical technology. Duties include but are not limited to the following: Collaborates with Biomedical Engineering team to and manages recall and safety alert programs for medical devices assigned to the Polytrauma System of Care and ensure that these devices are in compliance with patient safety goals, the Safe Medical Device Act (SMDA) and safety standards of other accreditation bodies. Develops training and education programs that addresses the safe and effective use of medical equipment and/or technology for staff, patients/clients and caregivers/families. Designs, fabricates, customizes, integrates and/or modifies assistive technology devices as needed for application to the targeted patient population. Acts as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) for assistive technology for the inter-& multi-disciplinary teams providing alternative solutions to AT problems. Fits and adjusts prototype assistive and rehabilitation devices and/or systems. Collects and analyzes outcome measure data for performance improvement. Collaborates with other members of the multidisciplinary team on the assessment, recommendation, implementation, and follow-up processes including setting up, adjusting, modifying, programming and minimal repairs of assistive technology equipment. Collaborates with other hospital employees such as Nursing, Prosthetics, Physicians, etc. regarding the service and application of technology to disabled populations. Communicates with assistive technology device manufacturers in terms of design requirements, updates, emerging technology, compatibility with other devices, etc. Analyzes, synthesizes and evaluates the effectiveness of assistive technology solutions. Leads measurement and analysis of devices, tasks, activities, environment and individuals as it relates to the assistive technology service delivery process. Collaborates between clinical services and research departments. Leads selection, development and implementation of outcome measures. Ensures safe practices are used by all associates during clinical sessions. Assures customer service needs are met on various levels. Intervenes and problem solves with clients, families and associates to ensure concerns are resolved. Maintains equipment, including but not limited to: software, hardware, system scanning, trouble shooting, and private internet access for the program and inpatient units. Collaborates as a team member and with teams from other VA facilities or community facilities including but not limited to physicians, clinicians, rehabilitation engineers, manufactures, vendors/reps, and administrators in the delivery and provision of AT services. Establishes priorities and performs assignments in a reasonable allotted time. Assists in carrying out treatment plans as part of the team that includes participation in the evaluation, fittings, adjustments and re-adjustment services in a variety of clinical and non-clinical settings. Communicates with manufacturing representatives to ensure that only current and relevant equipment is present for demonstration equipment and clinical trials. Assures that demonstration equipment is in clean, safe and in appropriate working condition. Maintains organization and inventory of all treatment and storage areas to ensure appropriate and safe clinical work environment. Maintains document control for pertinent related information. Advises clinical and administrative staff on assistive and rehabilitation technology, including existing and emerging technology and which addresses viability, long-term suitability, compatibility and/or safety. Consults and performs procedural oversight via TeleHealth per their clinical specialty. Responsible for documentation, workload tracking and purchasing of equipment. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Compressed/Flexible:Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement # 640-00954F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Requirements

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 Citizenship. United States citizen. 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 1. 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. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: 1. Such employees in an occupation that does not require a certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted, or demoted within the occupation. 2. Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis, prior to the effective date of the qualification standard, may not have their temporary appointment extended, or be reappointed on a temporary, or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. 3. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or certification/registration, must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. 4. If an employee, who was retained in an occupation, leaves that occupation, the employee loses protected status. Physical Requirements. Position does not require a full physical. The employee occupational health office will require TB and an immunization assessment. English Language Proficiency. Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Policy. GRADE REQUIREMENTS Grade Determinations. In addition to the basic requirements for employment listed above the following criteria must be met. Biomedical Engineer, GS-07 Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. Education. Bachelor's degree as outlined in section1 of the basic requirements, or CCE certification with at least a bachelor's degree not listed in section 1 of the basic requirements. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. None beyond the basic requirements. Biomedical Engineer, GS-09 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, as outlined under the basic requirements, education, section 1. OR, Bachelor's degree, as outlined under the basic requirements, education, section 1. 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: 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. Biomedical Engineer, GS-11 Experience. At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower level and must fully meet the KSA's at the level. OR, Education. Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree in Biomedical Engineering, or a related field of engineering, as outlined under the basic requirements, education, section 1, listed above. OR, Bachelor's degree, plus three full years of progressively higher level graduate education in a related field of study, as outlined under the basic requirements, education, section 1, listed above. 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 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. Biomedical Engineer, GS-12 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: 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. Reference: VA Handbook 5005/104 PART II APPENDIX G38, 3/25/2019 Applicants may be selected from GS-7 to GS-12. Physical Demands: Ability to lift 50lbs.

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 Palo Alto VA Medical Center 3801 Miranda Avenue Palo Alto, CA 94304 US
• Name: Marisella Souza
• Phone: 925-356-4088
• Email: [email protected]