The Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (BESS) (Biomedical Information Systems) provides clinical and administrative support to staff, patients, and administrators for all matters of concern relating to the facility wide lifecycle management of networks, networked medical equipment and associated systems.

Duties

Major duties include, but are not limited to: Lifecycle management of network equipment including but not limited to network switches, servers, routers and related infrastructure for any and all networked complex medical devices and systems such as imaging, life support, dialysis, and monitoring. Completes both routine and complex assignments involved identifying and troubleshooting issues related to VLAN configuration, IP addressing, sub-netting, HL7, DICOM, Access Control List (ACL) and network security across the medical device network. Coordinates and works effectively with other facility support departments including but not limited to Facilities Management Service (FMS), Office of Information Technology (OIT), Sterile Processing Service (SPS), and Environmental Management Service (EMS). Utilizes advanced network test equipment and software including but not limited to tracers, wireless spectrum analyzers, network traffic monitors, command prompt, physical and virtual server software. Manages, troubleshoots and maintains complete systems of computerized networks, databases and servers including but not limited to biomedical information systems that store or facilitate patient information. These biomedical information systems include but are not limited to Picture Archiving Communication Systems (PACS), physiological monitoring systems, Clinical Information Systems (CIS), Anesthesia Record Keeping (ARK), and other systems for which Medical Device Isolation Architecture (MDIA) would apply. Implements and plans for new and emerging technologies including but not limited to diagnostic modalities, network management and storage, and virtual data centers. Designs, implements and manages network incident response due to infection, loss of service or regional and local policy changes according to VA guidelines. Ensures proper security configuration for assigned devices and networks. Regularly reviews and installs available approved software updates and 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 preprocurement and during system implementation. Loads operating system (OS) and clinical application software as needed. As assigned, employee is responsible for lifecycle management of any and all medical devices and 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. 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, but not limited to, electrical safety analyzers, oscilloscopes, patient simulators, pulse generators, network analyzers, and multimeters. Maintains functional knowledge of relevant safety codes and standards of regulatory bodies including but not limited to The Joint Commission (TJC), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Food and 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). This documentation is completed in accordance with regulatory body requirements, Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) Documentation of Services guidelines and other organizational requirements. Maintains documentation of biomedical information systems covering ePHI requirements, VLAN, IP address, anti-virus software, security and other required information. As assigned, functions as a Contracting Officer Representative (COR) and keeps appropriate certification levels. Uses knowledge of government contract procedures and documentation requirements to develop statements of work, sole source justifications, other applicable documentation (6550, Independent Government Cost Estimate (IGCE), etc.) and to oversee vendor work. Collaborates with Logistics and Contracting to procure parts and services; functions as a purchase card holder, as required. Work Schedule: 08:00 to 16:30 Telework: Telework, if approved, will be on an Ad-Hoc basis only. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: 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. 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. 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. Grade Determinations: 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: (a) Current knowledge of computer virus protection software, available software patches and upgrades, and information security tools. (b) 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. (c) 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. (d) Ability to interpret, identify, and apply network engineering principles and practices where there often times is no previous example to follow, or precedence. (e) Skill to distinguish networking problems from non-networking problems and discuss various options with IT networking and operations staff members. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/95, PART II, APPENDIX G49 Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

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 Royal C Johnson Veterans Memorial Hospital 2501 West 22nd Street Sioux Falls, SD 57105 US
• Name: Jason Arcand
• Phone: 612-629-7118
• Email: [email protected]