The Supervisory Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (BESS) works by providing leadership among assigned employees. The Supervisory BESS provides support for all matters of concern relating to the lifecycle management of medical equipment. Biomedical support requires the application of engineering and mechanical concepts and methodology to provide lifecycle management and technical support of utilized in the practice of medicine, and health service delivery systems..

Duties

Functions: Lifecycle management of any and all medical systems such as imaging, life support, dialysis, and monitoring 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. Coordinates and works effectively with other facility support departments. Specific tasks include but are not limited to incoming inspections, regular and unscheduled maintenance, and planning for end of life replacement in conjunction with clinical services. Utilizes common test equipment including. Performs advanced testing and troubleshooting of medical devices and systems involving their interfaces and connections to information systems either directly or through the facility's networks. Adheres to Medical Device Isolation Architecture Guidelines. Loads operating system and clinical application software as needed. Executes VA guidelines when responding to network incident response. Maintains functional knowledge of relevant safety codes and standards of regulatory bodies. As assigned, functions as a Contracting Officer Representative. Uses knowledge of government contract procedures and documentation requirements to develop statements of work, sole source justifications, other applicable documentation and to oversee vendor work. Investigates, remediates and documents recalls and safety alerts within established timeframes. Participates in local safety improvement processes such as Root Cause Analysis, safety work groups, and Environment of Care Rounds. Identifies hazards during job performance and takes action to ensure they are corrected. Maintains knowledge of the state of the art in medical technology, including scientific advances, network protocols, and vendor changes. Focuses on professional development in all areas of medical technology lifecycle management. Knowledge and training is obtained from formal or informal means. Provides training and education as appropriate to medical technology end users and clinical staff. Provides mentoring and technical training to peers and development graded BESS. May be tasked with leading and managing installation or upgrade projects for medical devices and systems. Represents Biomedical/Clinical Engineering department as delegated by supervisor. Supervisory Functions: Develops goals, objectives, and policy for the medical equipment management program and monitors progress; Identifies and plans workload among subordinates in accordance with established workflow and/or job specializations. Sets and adjusts short-term and long-term priorities, and sets deadlines. Revises work schedules to meet anticipated and unanticipated changes in the workload; Assigns daily work to staff, establishing priorities based on workload related to BESS and ensures that each employee has an integral role in developing the final team product. Advises supervisor and other management officials as necessary on status of critical medical equipment that may adversely impact veteran care and/or access; Provides input to the annual budget for the unit, and monitors spending throughout the fiscal year to ensure that adequate resources are available to support mission. Leads the team in assessing its strengths and weaknesses and provides leadership to the team in exploring alternatives and determining what improvements can be made (e.g., in work methods, processes, productivity and quality). Develops performance standards for subordinates; Gives advice, counsel, or instruction to employees on both technical and administrative matters; Resolves complaints from employees, referring group grievances and more serious unresolved complaints to a higher-level supervisor; Effects minor disciplinary measures, such as warnings and reprimands, recommending other action in more serious cases; Identifies developmental and training needs of employees; Plans for long-range staffing needs, considering changes to medical equipment inventory, medical center strategic plan, and budget; Recommends awards or bonuses for staff; Approves and monitors the use of overtime. Other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 7:00 am to 3:30 pm Compressed/Flexible:Not Authorized Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENTS a. Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. After a determination is made that it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens, necessary personnel may be appointed on a temporary basis under authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405 without regard to the citizenship requirements of 38 U.S.C. 7402 or any other law prohibiting the employment of or payment of compensation to a person who is not a citizen of the United States. Candidates must meet all other requirements for the grade and position concerned. b. 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. c. Licensure/Certification/Registration. None d. Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA as a BESS 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 that is 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 may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journeyman) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.(2) BESSs 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) BESSs initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.(4) Employees who are retained as a BESS under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry as a BESS. e. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. f. 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. See Chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. Grade Determinations: Supervisory Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist, GS-12 (1) Experience. At least one year of experience at the GS-11 grade level that demonstrates the technical competencies described at that level. Certification as a Certified Healthcare Technology Manager (CHTM) is highly desirable at this level but not required. (2) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to meeting the KSAs for the GS-11 level, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment-specific KSAs designated by an asterisk: (a) Advanced knowledge of Healthcare Technology Management across multiple types of equipment modalities to provide guidance and training to Healthcare Technology Management staff; (b) Skill in managing Healthcare Technology Management work flow and directing the work of others to accomplish programs goals and objectives. (c) Ability to develop policy, manage medical equipment life-cycle processes, and provide workload analysis in Healthcare Technology Management operations. (d) Knowledge of interpersonal relations and conflict resolution to deal effectively with individuals or groups representing widely divergent backgrounds, interests, and points of view. (e) Ability to analyze Healthcare Technology data and make recommendations to optimize quality, efficiency, performance, and productivity within service. (f) Ability to perform the full range of supervisory duties which would include responsibility for assignment of work to be performed; assessments of competency; evaluation of performance; selection of staff; and recommendation of awards, advancements, and disciplinary actions. (3) Assignments. 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. Supervisory BESS at this level are generally found in Complexity Level 2 (Medium Complexity) or Complexity Level 3 (Low Complexity) facilities. Although uncommon, they may also be found in a Complexity Level 1 facility. The Supervisory BESS is responsible for the supervision, administrative management, and direction of lower level BESS. The incumbent supports the Chief Biomedical Engineer with assisting in the administrative and professional responsibilities of planning and directing the Biomedical Engineering/Healthcare Technology Management staff activities for the service or equivalent unit at an independent outpatient clinic. Incumbent may have full supervisory responsibility over a section or equivalent work unit if there is not a Biomedical Engineer at the facility. Typical duties may include: preparing work assignments, monitoring technical performance of some Biomedical Engineering staff, conducting performance appraisals, and other department and administrative responsibilities to ensure that the mission of the service and the medical center has been satisfied. The supervisor assures compliance with accrediting agencies and regulatory requirements, establishes and monitors the quality of the pre-analytical processes as part of the overall Biomedical Engineering service quality management program, and assures corrective action is initiated as needed. The supervisor assures orientation and competency assessment of assigned staff. Develops policies and procedures, manages document control, develops performance standards, position descriptions and functional statements. They may be responsible for professional and administrative management of an assigned area to include budget execution. The supervisor maintains interdepartmental relations with other services to accomplish medical center goals. And must be able to demonstrate the Knowledge Skills and Abilities at all lower grades in this occupational series. This information can be found in VA Handbook 5005/95 Part II Appendix G49. Preferred Experience: Lifecycle management of any and all medical systems such as imaging, life support, dialysis, and monitoring to include physical and network support. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/95 PART II APPENDIX G49The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 12.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript or military training certification must be submitted with your application if you are not already a VHA BESS at this grade.

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 Hampton VA Medical Center 100 Emancipation Drive Hampton, VA 23667 US
• Name: Michael Schultz
• Phone: 804-274-9694
• Email: [email protected]