This position is located in the Electronics Sub-section of Biomedical Engineering Section. The incumbent is responsible for the assessment, installation, intercommunication, and maintenance of complex electronic equipment and systems at the VA Puget Sound Health Care Facility (VAPSHCS) both the Seattle and American Lake divisions, all of which have a direct bearing on the VAPSHCS goals concerning quality of patient care and safety.

Duties

Maintains sufficient proficiency of analog, digital, wireless, and voice communication systems and networks, to include but not limited to radio repeaters, handheld radios, base stations, pagers, encrypted voice systems, HAM radios, patient call systems, to interface with hospital staff and EE users properly and professionally to identify user complaints of equipment performance, intermittent problems, and to advise users of operational techniques. Maintains proficient knowledge in basic use and operation of Electronic Equipment (EE) to recognize operational problems and operator errors as well as effect efficient maintenance and repair. When required by higher level supervisor, research technical publications provided the technical standards-making organizations, VA, and JCAHO to answer specific or general EE related questions utilizing Biomedical Engineering Section and Medical Center library facilities. Documents historical repair, inspection, and parts usage data to produce an accurate and useful maintenance history utilizing results of all repair and inspection incidents as required by accrediting bodies (JCAHO) and shop operating procedures. Maintains Preventive Maintenance and calibrations safety records to meet JCAHO and applicable legal device documentation requirements utilizing applicable VA form and scheduling systems. Consults with EE manufacturers, both orally and in writing, to determine availability of parts and services, utilizing manufacturer's publications of parts and price listings, and for consulting on device problems. Accomplishes the associated paperwork aspects of the job in an orderly, accurate and timely fashion as described by the Engineering Service Policy Manual and Biomedical Section Standard Operating Procedures. Maintains proficient knowledge in basic use and operation of Electronic Equipment (EE) to recognize operational problems and operator errors as well as effect efficient maintenance and repair. Instructs device users in proper operation and front-line maintenance of EE in order to increase operator efficiency, reviews operator errors, and reduce device down-time utilizing manufacturer operation and maintenance manuals. Correctly judges the priority levels of multiple tasks by utilizing personal judgment and without necessarily referring to the supervisor or to a specific list of priorities so as to effect efficient time utilization and expeditious BE repair. When possible, identifies sources for parts that are substantially more economical than manufacturer so as to reduce repair expenditures and down time by cross referencing parts listings from independent sources and US Government listings. Maintains sufficient proficiency of computer based electronic equipment systems, computer networks and interfacing, conversant with theory of operation, maintenance and troubleshooting methodologies specifically including nurse call / patient call systems, patient wandering systems, satellite and entertainment systems, complex security, and surveillance CCTV systems. Attends VA or manufacturer training course in order to attain skill levels necessary to inspect, calibrate, install, modify and repair EE utilizing information provided by VA or manufacturer instructors and laboratory sessions. Reviews technical literature and VA directives in order to maintain individual proficiency level at highest level possible by reading, as time permits, all pertinent publication in areas of responsibility. Advises higher level supervision as to the placement and utility requirements of EE in order to ensure proper installation utilizing manufacturer specifications and knowledge of intended device use location. Performs periodic operational inspection, preventive maintenance, and calibration on all EE as assigned in order to ensure device safety, proper operation and diagnostic and/or therapeutic efficacy by utilizing STE and appropriate industry standards (JCAHO, NFPA, UL, VA) and guides. Identifies and/or responds to manufacturer, FDA, or VA identified defective EE in order to determine the existence and extent of defect and to perform appropriate corrective action utilizing manufacturers' specifications, safety circulars, VA directives and STE. Responds to user identified EE malfunctions in order to determine validity of device deficiencies utilizing visual observation of problem, user-provided information, STE and appropriate analyzing equipment. Evaluates EE assemblies/subassemblies/components in order to determine probable cause(s) and/or location(s) of device problems utilizing STE. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday7:30am - 4:00pm Position Description/PD#: Senior Electronics Technician/PD402970 Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement, 12/27/2023. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-10. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR): An IOR is a basic requirement that must be met in order to qualify for the 0856 occupational series. To qualify for this occupational series, applicants MUST have the following knowledge of the techniques and theories characteristic of electronics, such as a knowledge of basic electricity and electronic theory, algebra, and elementary physics; knowledge of electronic equipment design, development, evaluation, testing, installation, and maintenance; and knowledge of the capabilities, limitations, operations, design, characteristics, and functional use of a variety of types and models of electronic equipment and systems related to, but less than, a full professional knowledge of electronic engineering. Electronics technicians may have gained experience assisting in work situations including: Maintenance - Developing maintenance standards and procedures for use by others. Analyzing repair practices and developing procedural instructions for use by others on methods and steps to repair equipment. Installation - Planning and directing the installation of complex systems and associated facilities, particularly where there are site selection and construction problems, dealings with contractors and public utilities, and the possible need to modify equipment for novel site characteristics. Fabrication - Designing and analyzing circuits, determining design feasibility, evaluating equipment performance under varying environmental conditions, and collecting performance data. Designing or modifying designs to achieve performance and cost objectives. Evaluating the adequacy of equipment for such purposes as repair, calibration, and testing. Testing and Evaluation/Research and Development - Developing or evaluating new or modified electronic systems. Completing testing, evaluating data, and determining acceptability of equipment modifications, validity, test procedures and data, or legality of operation. Technicians support professional engineers in performing experiments, research, and developmental activities requiring an in-depth knowledge of technical engineering methods, applications, practices, and principles to work on concepts, prototypes, and experimental projects that are without precedent and support state-of-the-art research. Sustainment - Developing, performing, evaluating, or modifying calibration and test equipment, systems, and procedures. Reporting, analyzing, and archiving test data. Performing complex calculations and manipulations of test data to improve performance of systems, instrumentation, measurement standards, techniques, and procedures. Troubleshooting - Analyzing and diagnosing faults in the operational configuration of electronic systems and equipment. Interpreting circuit wiring, logic cable diagrams, drawings, specifications, and schematics of complete systems and equipment to understand the function and interconnections of the various assemblies and troubleshoot the system. Specialized experience: I possess at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-10) in the Federal Service. Specialized experience includes Work as a technician, instructor, inspector, or mechanic (civilian or military) that showed progression in theoretical and practical knowledge of electronic theory, and of the characteristics, function, operation, and capabilities of a variety of types of electronic equipment. This experience must have included the use of schematic diagrams, a variety of test equipment, and the application of appropriate electronic formulas involved in such duties as testing, troubleshooting, modifying, designing, calibrating, installing, maintaining, repairing, constructing, developing, and instructing on electronic equipment, or similar functions. Experience in developing policies, standards, and procedures for maintenance, installation, or similar functions, provided the work clearly shows that the applicant applied a specialized knowledge of the theories and principles of a variety of electronic systems or equipment. ElectronicsNetwork ManagementOral CommunicationPlanning and EvaluatingTechnical CompetenceTechnology Awareness Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. Physical Requirements: The work requires moderate physical exertion, and can involved prolonged periods of pushing, pulling, carrying, bending, stooping, crawling, crouching, reading inside of devices, and negotiating cramped working areas. Frequently work will be performed in cramped and awkward positions. The work also requires prolonged periods of standing and walking. The incumbent will continually handle objects· weighting up to. 20 lbs. and occasionally objects up to 50 lbs. Some tasks involve climbing and working in high places using ladders or platforms. Circuit repairs also require adequate eyesight and dexterity. Technical, academic,· and mental demands are considerable. The work performed is of a precise nature requiring prolonged concentration. The incumbent will often work under conditions or stress caused by the nature of the medical mission which involves the well being of patients and the necessity to meet deadlines.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Contacts

• Address VA Puget Sound Health Care System 1660 South Columbian Way Seattle, WA 98108 US
• Name: Danielle Callinder
• Phone: 253-582-8440 X75465
• Email: [email protected]