The Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (Biomedical Information Systems) provides clinical & administrative support to stakeholders for all matters of concern relating to the facility wide lifecycle management of networks, networked medical equipment & associated systems. Using engineering & mechanical concepts/methodology to provide lifecycle management & technical support of all equipment utilized in the practice of medicine, & to improve health service delivery systems for VA facilities.

Duties

Major Duties: Responsible for lifecycle management of network equipment including network switches, servers, routers & related infrastructure for any & all networked complex medical devices & systems such as imaging, life support, dialysis, & monitoring. Completes routine & complex assignments involved identifying & troubleshooting issues related to VLAN configuration, IP addressing, sub-netting, HL7, DICOM, Access Control List (ACL) & network security across the medical device network. Coordinates with other facility support departments including Facilities Management Service (FMS), Office of Information Technology (OIT), Sterile Processing Service (SPS), & Environmental Management Service (EMS). Utilizes advanced network test equipment & software including tracers, wireless spectrum analyzers, network traffic monitors, command prompt, physical & virtual server software. Manages complete systems of computerized networks, databases & servers including biomedical information systems that store or facilitate patient information. These biomedical information systems include Picture Archiving Communication Systems (PACS), physiological monitoring systems, Clinical Information Systems (CIS), Anesthesia Record Keeping (ARK), & other systems for which Medical Device Isolation Architecture (MDIA) would apply. Implements emerging technologies including diagnostic modalities, network management & storage, &virtual data centers. Manages network incident response due to infection, loss of service or regional & local policy changes according to VA guidelines. Ensures proper security configuration for assigned devices & networks. Regularly reviews & installs available approved software updates & virus definitions for applicable networked medical devices. Leads development of disaster recovery procedures for critical systems to be enacted in the event of device failure. Adheres to MDIA Guidelines in both pre-procurement & during system implementation. Responsible for lifecycle management of any & all medical devices & systems such as imaging, life support, dialysis, & monitoring to include physical & network support. Completes assignments involved in the installation, maintenance, modification, troubleshooting, repair & calibration of these complex therapeutic, diagnostic & life support medical devices & systems. Participates in incoming inspections, regular & unscheduled maintenance, & planning for end-of-life replacement in conjunction with clinical services. Utilizes common test equipment including electrical safety analyzers, oscilloscopes, patient simulators, pulse generators, network analyzers, & multimeters. Adheres to relevant safety codes & standards of regulatory bodies including The Joint Commission (TJC), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI), American College of Radiology (ACR), Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS). Documents all work performed in the computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) in accordance with regulatory body requirements, Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) Documentation of Services guidelines & other organizational requirements. Maintains documentation of biomedical information systems covering ePHI requirements, VLAN, IP address, antivirus software, security & other required information. Functions as a Contracting Officer Representative (COR) & keeps appropriate certification levels. Follows contract procedures & documentation requirements to develop statements of work, sole source justifications, other applicable documentation (6550, Independent Government Cost Estimate (IGCE), etc.) & to oversee vendor work. Collaborates with Logistics & Contracting to procure parts & services. Investigates, remediates & documents recalls & safety alerts within established timeframes. Participates in local safety improvement processes such as Root Cause Analysis (RCA), safety work groups, & Environment of Care Rounds. Identifies hazards during routine job performance & ensures they are addressed & corrected. Provides training as appropriate to medical technology end users & clinical staff. Manages installation or upgrade projects for biomedical information systems, backup servers, other communication systems & other medical devices & systems. Maintains medical systems (action items, special projects, etc.) to meet mission critical requirements. Represents Biomedical/Clinical Engineering department on committees & in meetings as delegated by supervisor. Work Schedule: Full-time, Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (hours may be negotiable) Compressed/Flexible: 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

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: United States Citizenship: 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. 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (Biomedical Information Systems), GS-12: Experience. At least one year of specialized 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: Current knowledge of computer virus protection software, available software patches and upgrades, and information security tools. 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. 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. Ability to interpret, identify, and apply network engineering principles and practices where there often times is no previous example to follow, or precedence. 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: Experience in application of engineering and mechanical concepts and methodology to provide lifecycle management and technical support of diagnostic, therapeutic devices, monitoring, and other equipment utilized in the practice of medicine, and to improve health service delivery systems. Demonstrated excellent administrative and communication skills. Knowledge of the modern medical technology, including scientific advances, network protocols, and vendor changes. Focuses on professional development in all areas of medical technology lifecycle management including technical skills. Preferred functional knowledge of relevant safety codes and standards of regulatory bodies including but not limited to The Join Commission, National Fire Protection Association, Food and Drug Administration, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation, American College of Radiology, Center for Devices and Radiological Health. Lifecycle management of advanced imaging or radiological devices to include physical and network support. Experience leading and managing installation or upgrade projects for advanced imaging or radiological devices and other medical devices and systems. This includes pre-implementation planning and coordination with end users, vendors, and other onsite support staff. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/95, PART II, APPENDIX G49, FEBRUARY 7, 2018 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements continue in Education Section.

Education

Continuation of Qualifications section:

Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over, Heavy carrying, 45 pounds and over, Straight pulling (1 hour), Pulling hand over hand (1 hour), Pushing (1 hour), Reaching above shoulder, Use of fingers Both hands required, Walking (4 hours), Standing (4 hours), Crawling (1 hour), Kneeling (1 hour), Repeated bending (2 hours), Climbing, legs only (2 hours), Climbing, use of legs and arms, Both legs required, Operation of crane, truck, tractor, or motor vehicle, Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, Specific visual requirement (specify) DVA 20/40 correctable, Both eyes required, Depth perception, Ability to distinguish basic colors, Ability to distinguish shades of colors, Hearing (aid may be permitted), Hearing without aid, Mental and Emotional Stability

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.

Contacts

• Address Audie L Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital 7400 Merton Minter Boulevard San Antonio, TX 78229 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]