The Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (BESS) (Imaging) provides clinical and administrative support to staff, patients, and administrators for all matters of concern relating to the facility wide lifecycle management of advanced imaging or radiological devices and other medical devices.

Duties

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until December 18, 2024. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be January 9, 2024, with subsequent cut-off dates every two weeks until December 18, 2024. Applicants who are referred will be considered for 90 days, after 90 days applicants will have to reapply. Duties include but not limited to: The Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (BESS) (Imaging) provides clinical and administrative support to staff, patients, and administrators for all matters of concern relating to the facility wide lifecycle management of advanced imaging or radiological devices and other medical devices. Biomedical support requires the 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 for communities and within individual VA facilities (medical centers, outpatient clinics, and domiciliaries). Lifecycle management encompasses the following: technology assessment including defining requirements and analyzing alternatives with clinical users; technology acquisition including technical evaluation and best value determination of proposed equipment and systems; technology implementation including site preparation, incoming inspections, device/system integration, network device security implementation and clinical/technical training; technology sustainment including regular and unscheduled maintenance, upgrades and enhancements, continuing education; end of useful life tasks including decommissioning, data sanitization, and technical evaluation for condition prior to disposal; and strategic planning for end of life replacement in conjunction with clinical services. The BESS (Imaging) maintains advanced imaging or radiological devices and other medical equipment using established local, regional and national policies and procedures designed to meet criteria and standards from multiple accrediting agencies and governing bodies. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: Citizenship: Citizen of the United States. 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. 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. Grade Determinations: Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist, GS-12 Experience. One year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Experience includes but not limited to: The BESS (Imaging) complete systems management of computerized/networked imaging systems and databases and their inter-connectivity with PACS, related modalities and the Electronic Medical Record (EMR). Utilizes specialized diagnostic software, specialized quality assurance tools and measuring equipment, detailed technical literature, and standard electronic and computer test equipment. Ensures required software updates and backups are completed to maintain continued functionality of equipment, patient safety, and data integrity. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of codes and standards relevant to safe operation of radiation producing medical devices such as National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), The Joint Commission (TJC), American College of Radiology (ACR), Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) and The Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI). (b) Comprehensive knowledge of imaging techniques, technologies, radiological practices and procedures. (c) Skill in using advanced radiological test equipment such as radiation dosimeters, calibration phantoms, high voltage testing devices, KV and MA meters and monitor calibration devices. (d) Ability to resolve highly complex breakdowns that have an immediate risk to patient safety. (e) Ability to maintain and troubleshoot networked medical imaging equipment to include VLAN configuration, IP addressing, sub-netting, and network security, and build, configure, repair and install workstations and servers in imaging and non-imaging environments. (f) 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, and DICOM standards. 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. The incumbent may be responsible for the complete systems management of computerized/networked imaging systems and databases and their inter-connectivity with PACS, related modalities and the Electronic Medical Record (EMR). Utilizes specialized diagnostic software, specialized quality assurance tools and measuring equipment, detailed technical literature, and standard electronic and computer test equipment. Ensures required software updates and backups are completed to maintain continued functionality of equipment, patient safety, and data integrity. The incumbent assists in designing and implementing best approaches to recovery of critical computerized databases and operating systems. The incumbentshould be considered a technical expert on one or more advanced imaging system and may provide input to the VISN High-Cost/High-Tech Committee, may serve as a VISN or national technical resource as needed. Advises clinicians and management regarding the acquisition, integration, and application of medical imaging technologies. Participates in the acquisition, technical requirements and evaluations, project planning and deployment of medical imaging systems. May serve as a Contracting Officer Representative (COR) for purchase of medical equipment, maintenance/repair contracts, and facility projects. He/she is responsible for coordinating with the facility stakeholders including but not limited to medical staff, clinical personnel, Biomedical Engineering, OI&T, service managers, Patient Safety, senior salespeople and equipment manufacturers on procurement related or technical issues. Preferred Experience: Preferred project management experience Preferred experience with MRI's, SPECT/CT, R/F, PET/CT, CT, Ultrasound Preferred experience with medical networking Preferred certifications such as CRES, CompTIA N+, CompTIA S+, and CBET Original Equipment Manufacturer certification in Imaging Devices (i.e. Siemens, GE, Canon, Philips, etc.) Excellent administrative and communication skills References: VA Handbook 5005/95 Part II Appendix G49 Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist Qualification Standard GS-1601 Veterans Health Administration February 7, 2018. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 pounds and over), straight pulling (2 hours), pulling hand over hand (4 hours); pushing (2 hours), reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required, walking (6 hours), standing (8 hours), crawling (4 hours), kneeling (6 hours), repeated bending (6 hours), climbing, use of legs and arms, both legs required, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, near vision correctable to 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; both eyes required, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors, ability to distinguish shades of colors, hearing (aid permitted).

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.

NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

Note: If your school was accredited by Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet.

Contacts

• Address Dallas VA Medical Center 4500 South Lancaster Road Dallas, TX 75216 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]