The Healthcare Engineer is under the general supervision of the Chief, Engineering Service located in the Engineering service line within the Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center. The Healthcare Engineer serves as the resident and program engineer, consisting of the planning, design, and overseeing of major healthcare system projects.

Duties

The Healthcare Engineer is part of the Engineering service line and provides support to the Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center. Duties included but are not limited to: Conducts capital asses and infrastructure planning and design for the medical facility spanning initial strategic planning, concept development, design, construction, and effective implementation of complex buildings, utilities, and medical support systems Manages healthcare engineering project design and administers construction in accordance with VA policies and procedures Performs healthcare engineering project construction management and post project activities while ensuring continuity of building and utility services for medical facility operations Assists in the provision of a continuing education program for clinical staff and maintenance personnel addressing the principles and application of building and utility systems in the delivery of health care Assists in development and implementation of the environment of care program that meets current Joint Commission, Food and Drug administration (FDA), College of American Pathologists (CAP), NFPA, and VA requirements, particularly as it relates to construction safety and infection control VA Offers a Total Reward Package Total-Rewards-of-a-Nonclinical-Professionals-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Work Schedule: 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Telework: Not eligible Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: PD52149F, PD000000, PD52147F, and PD52146F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required 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. NOTE: This applies to past, current, and upcoming VA Health Professions Trainees (HPT) only. VA HPT is an individual appointed to temporary positions in one or more VHA medical facilities performing clinical or research training experiences to satisfy program or degree requirements or admitted to the VA Health Professional Scholarship Program. HPTs can be either VA-paid or Without Compensation (WOC).

Requirements

Qualifications

Preferred Experience/Qualifications: Demonstrate intimate grasp of high order healthcare engineering and capital subject matter; Working extensively with clinical stakeholders, acquisition staff, contractors and executive leadership by leading healthcare engineering programs, technology assessments, integration planning and implementation of both current and emerging technologies; Plan, execute and document highly complex, multi-faceted healthcare facility construction projects and inspections while prioritizing resources against approved scopes of work, contract documents and budgets. Grade Determinations GS-7 Experience: None beyond the basic requirements above. GS-9 Experience or Education: Applicants must meet one of the following: At least 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-7). Master of Engineering degree or Master of Architecture or Master of Science degree in Engineering or a related field of study (as outlined in the basic requirements above). Bachelor's degree as outlined in basic requirements plus two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education in a related field of study, provided the applicant's total background demonstrates the core competencies for the GS-9 level. In addition to the experience/education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. Knowledge of the principles, theories, concepts and practices of the engineering profession. 2. Ability to interpret relevant codes, regulations, guidelines and standards to make recommendations to assure compliance with healthcare facility programs. 3. Ability to understand the operational professional engineering needs of clinical services in the healthcare system. 4. Ability to prepare material on current technical topics and trends for presentation to other technical staff and mid-level hospital management and to keep abreast of changes in engineering technology related to a healthcare facility. Assignment At the developmental level 1, Healthcare Engineers receive guidance from more experienced staff members and require frequent and direct supervision. Employees complete technical assignments in the engineering field as assigned by senior Healthcare Engineers and may be required to rotate through, and participate in, the operations of other hospital services. At the GS-9 grade level, employees function in a developmental capacity with oversight by a supervisor for more complex assignments. GS-11 Experience/Education: Applicants must meet one of the following: One year of experience equivalent to the next lower level (GS-9). Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree in Engineering, or a related field of engineering (as outlined in the basic requirements above). OR Master of Engineering degree, Master of Architecture degree, Master of Science degree in Engineering or a related field of study (as outlined in the basic requirements above), plus 1 full year of progressively higher-level graduate education in a related field of study, provided the applicant's total background demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities for GS-11 level assignment. Bachelor's degree (as outlined in the first bullet point in the basic requirements above) plus 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education in a related field of study, provided the applicant's total background demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities for the GS-11 level assignment. In addition to the experience/education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1 Knowledge of either mechanical, electrical, structural, civil or other engineering/architectural principles, practices and their applications in the healthcare environment. 2. Knowledge of basic project management principles as applied to the healthcare setting. 3. Ability to apply healthcare engineering related standards, codes, policies and regulations, inclusive of, state and local codes. 4. Ability to communicate effective orally and in writing with internal and external customers with tact and diplomacy. 5. Ability to develop material for clinical or administrative staff that addresses the principles and application of engineering technology and/or theory used in healthcare. 6. Ability to advise staff on emerging engineering technology related to a healthcare facility, while keeping abreast of changes in such technology and utilizing the information to solve healthcare facility engineering challenges. Assignment. At developmental level 2, Healthcare Engineers function on a semi-independent basis with limited oversight by senior Healthcare Engineers. They conduct audits and inspections of worksites to assure compliance, prepare reports and findings, devise solutions and implement corrective actions with limited oversight. They perform project management related to the healthcare setting with limited oversight. GS-12 Experience: Applicants must have at least 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. Knowledge of mechanical, electrical, structural, civil and other engineering/architectural principles, practices and their applications in the healthcare environment. 2. Knowledge of healthcare industry standards and related regulatory agency and organization (including, but not limited to The Joint Commission (TJC), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), etc.) regulations, requirements, guides, policies, procedures, directives, standards and general medical program requirements as they relate to healthcare engineering. 3. Knowledge of construction standards, methods, practices and techniques, materials and equipment to determine compliance with engineering regulations and standards. 4. Skill in researching and analyzing information, conditions, human factors and projections to make sound engineering and business recommendations and decisions to proactively identify problems and develop innovative solutions within the context of applicable rules, regulations and procedures. 5. Ability to plan and execute complex, multi-faceted projects and inspections while prioritizing resources against approved scopes of work, contract documents and budgets. 6. Ability to organize and lead multi-disciplinary task forces with members from different departments and divisions, as well as design and construction firms. Assignment. Employees at this level serve as Healthcare Engineers at the full performance level. They work independently, under general supervision with wide latitude to exercise independent judgment. Healthcare Engineers demonstrate intimate grasp of high order healthcare engineering and capital subject matter. They serve as institutional resources for healthcare delivery processes and systems, working extensively with clinical stakeholders, acquisition staff, contractors and executive leadership by leading healthcare engineering programs, technology assessments, integration planning and implementation of both current and emerging technologies. Healthcare Engineers support the delivery of healthcare to Veterans by contributing to the education of clinical staff, planners and leadership to ensure safe and efficient healthcare delivery. Healthcare Engineers plan, execute and document highly complex, multi-faceted healthcare facility construction projects and inspections while prioritizing resources against approved scopes of work, contract documents and budgets. They identify problems and develop innovative solutions within the context of applicable rules, regulations and procedures, as it relates to the healthcare environment.

Education

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-07 to GS-12.

Physical Requirements: The work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts that require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices, training rooms, and libraries. The work area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. The incumbent must also work outdoors in all types of weather. There may be occasional exposure to moderate risks or discomforts in storage areas or hazardous waste sites. The work is primarily sedentary, although some physical effort may be required, e.g., walking, standing, climbing ladders, stooping, kneeling, and carrying light items such as manuals or briefcases, or driving or traveling by motor vehicle.

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G72 - Healthcare Engineer Qualification Standard.

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 Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center 3701 Loop Road East Tuscaloosa, AL 35404 US
• Name: VHA National Recruitment Center
• Phone: (844)456-5208
• Email: [email protected]