Incumbent assists Major Projects with capital asset and infrastructure planning for medical equipment. Attends all Major Design meetings and advises staff on medical engineering technology including existing and emerging technology addressing viability, long-term suitability, compatibility, and/or safety while keeping abreast of changes in technology and utilizing information gained in the solution of biomedical engineering problems.

Duties

VA St. Louis Health Care System is committed to Diversity and Inclusion. Together, we strive to create and maintain a working and learning environment that promotes professional growth and teamwork. We offer an inclusive, equitable, and welcoming environment where we celebrate our individual differences and unite as a team toward a common goal of providing outstanding service to our Nation's Veterans. MAJOR DUTIES: Supports Major Projects Service: Advises on the purchase of new equipment by analyzing requirements, developing specifications and technical requirements, and evaluating new devices and systems when necessary. Coordinates and directs the installation of the equipment and systems as required. Verifies the operational integrity and reliability of new equipment and advises the medical center staff in maintenance of the equipment and systems. Provides project management for the purchase, planning, construction design review, installation, and in-service training stages of a multitude of biomedical instrumentation projects such as surgical suites, cardiac catheterization laboratories, radiology suites and computer systems and software. Advises and works with clinical staff and the Major Projects Service on design and planning of construction of clinical spaces, sometimes entailing visits to other facilities to research current design trends for medical space. In some cases, this coordination activity can span several years when major construction is involved. Maintains, supports, and implements a Healthcare Technology Management Program that meets or exceeds The Joint Commission, NFPA, OIG, FDA, and other applicable healthcare regulatory requirements. Develops the work performance specifications for a variety of service contractors. Monitors the work of service contractors to assure that the work performance meets the needs of the medical center and conforms to the terms of the contract. Communicates essential contract information to personnel in the using services. Interfaces with a multiplicity of services on solving problems related to both current and past contracts. Develops and maintains a personal development plan for continuing education that addresses new trends in medical equipment and/or technology and its safe and effective use in the delivery of healthcare. Manages a recall and safety alert program for medical devices, including medical device incident investigations to assure compliance with patient safety goals, SMDA, and Joint Commission requirements. Has shared responsibility for the development, purchase, and implementation of medical technology within the medical center. Assists in implementation of electronic devices, systems, and computers related to patient care equipment to assure that they are utilized efficiently and safely. Observes the use of these devices and seeks user feedback to ensure new technology implementation supports and/or improves clinical workflow. Assists with Equipment Committee aspects including, but not limited to requesting, prioritizing, and purchasing of new equipment. This includes utilizing the VA's EER/SEPG System. Shares responsibility in ensuring that HIPAA and network security issues are managed effectively for medical systems. Documentation of such systems including details such as backup, disaster recovery, security, etc. is difficult in scope but critical to management of the networked systems. Shares responsibility in updating documentation of network connections of medical systems, including information on VLAN, IP address, subnet mask, default gateway, network switch, and port numbers. Develops, maintains and supports 3D printing services (including expansion of services) in the realm of design and implementation for medical services throughout the Medical Center and VA. Assists in development of new tools and methodologies to collect, track, and display data or other information to appropriate staff throughout the medical center and VISN. Develops creative ideas, designs and solutions that would enhance patient care and satisfaction. Assists in the Cerner/EHRM for integration for medical/clinical systems. May take on the project or implementation lead for varying systems as required to implement OEHRM standards and connectivity requirements. Additional duties are performed as assigned by supervisor related to Biomedical Engineering principles of medical systems (action items, special projects, etc.) to meet mission critical requirements. May be asked to assist in other administrative duties as well, including participating in hiring panels. This position is located at the John Cochran Division, but may be changed to any other VASTLHCS location based on the needs of the medical center. A recruitment incentive has been authorized for highly qualified candidates.

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. Education and /or Experience: (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: GS-11: Experience: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower level. OR Education: Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree in Biomedical Engineering, or a related field of engineering, as outlined in paragraph 3.b.(1) OR Bachelor's degree, plus three full years of progressively higher level graduate education in a related field of study, as outlined in paragraph 3.b.(1)In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: i. 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. ii. 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. iii. 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. iv. Knowledge of basic project management principles, as applied to the healthcare setting and medical equipment, and information system implementation. GS-12: Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower level. OR Completion of a post-doctoral research fellowship in the field of biomedical engineering. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: i. Ability to conduct a medical equipment management or biomedical research program that is compliant with applicable healthcare standards and regulatory agencies. ii. Ability to develop a curriculum for a continuing education program, that address the safe and effective use of medical technology, and/or research devices. iii. 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. iv. Ability to conduct capital asset and infrastructure planning for medical equipment spanning initial concept, installation, and effective implementation of complex medical equipment. v. 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. vi. 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. vii. Knowledge of concepts related to computer based medical systems, networking protocols, and information security as it applies to medical technology within VHA. viii. Skill in communicating and working collaboratively with key stakeholders, including technical and professional staff at various levels of the organization. ix. Ability to apply project management principles to deployment of medical equipment and health information technologies. Preferred Experience: Knowledge and Expertise in Excel, Word, and other Microsoft Office Products Understanding/Ability to read floor plans, construction drawings, and CAD drawings Understanding how to implement medical devices in accordance with VA HTM Requirements Knowledge of various medical devices and construction implementation requirements References: VA Handbook 5005/104 Part II Appendix G38 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-11 to GS-12. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service.

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 St Louis Health Care System 1 Jefferson Barracks Drive St. Louis, MO 63125 US
• Name: Ray Gotsch
• Phone: (314) 643-7995
• Email: [email protected]