This position is aligned under the Biomedical Computing Section, Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) Service, receiving supervision from the Supervisory Biomedical Engineer, HTM. They will achieve assigned professional objectives that supplement the required core objectives required to fulfill requirements for the Biomedical Engineering Career Field.

Duties

Duties: A key member of Biomedical Engineering Section - Engineering Service, to accomplish special projects assigned to include: Performing as a project leader in defining the requirements and specifications of medical electronic systems Assists in the development and implementation of the complex Biomedical Engineering Medical Center Program. Serves as an advisor to the Biomedical Engineering Supervisor in the area of Biomedical Engineering as well as engineering principles and practices, which relate to the area of specialization and scientific discipline, drawing from professional educational background, as well as practical experience. Has shared responsibility for the development and implementation of the medical center's system for physiological monitoring, automation in clinical laboratories, patient resuscitation, computer applications in biomedicine, and medical information systems. Designs new systems to meet the requirements for medical services using conventional and state of the art equipment and components or specifies modifications to existing devices and systems for specific requirements of the medical center. Has shared responsibility for medical engineering development, education and training, including instructing medical and allied and health personnel in the utilization of the equipment. Assists in establishing controls and procedures and monitors implementation to assure that all electronic devices and systems, and computers related to patient care equipment are utilized efficiently and safely. Observes and critiques the use of these devices, maintaining repair services and training personnel where necessary. Evaluates the patient safety features of biomedical equipment and initiates corrective action if required. Assists Logistics staff in the purchase of new electronic equipment by analyzing requirements, developing specifications 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. Develops the work performance specifications/characteristics for a variety of service contractors, including that servicing specialized x-ray equipment. 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 multiple services on solving problems related to both current and past contracts. May be called upon to perform basic managerial functions of planning, organizing, staffing, directing and controlling related to the work of employees within the Biomedical Engineering Section and coordinates their effort to achieve established objectives. Recommends workload distribution and priorities, performs independent assessments and analyses, and recommends policy and policy changes to the Biomedical Engineering Supervisor. Analyzes, organizes, innovates, modifies and adapts as necessary to carry out program objectives. Acts as the Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR) for assigned contracts. Prepares contracting packages and schedules, monitors, and reviews all outside contracted services to insure appropriate, high quality workmanship in a time frame that meets clinical needs. Distinguishes between appropriate and inappropriate techniques and methods employed by outside Field Service Engineers and resolve any conflicts that may arise. Works in conjunction with manufacturers' representatives to perform complex system restorations as needed and coordinates with contractors in providing Preventative Maintenance, system restorations and/or parts for assigned equipment. Responsible for coordinating and managing needed supplies and replacement parts for biomedical equipment. Responsible for the use of government credit card with a combined monthly purchasing power of $25,000 and is responsible for record keeping and reconciliation of purchases made. Works closely with other departments such as Information Resource Management (IRM) to install, setup, and configure new hardware and software configurations, servers, networks, and applications. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 55560F, 55559F, 55558F, 55557F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): 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. Education: (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 above. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment listed in paragraph 3 above, the following education and experience criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: Biomedical Engineer GS-7 (Entry Level): None beyond the basic requirements. Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. (b) Education. Bachelor's degree as outlined in paragraph 3.b.(1), above, or CCE certification with at least a bachelor's degree not listed in paragraph 3.b.(1). Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. None beyond the basic requirements. Assignment. Employees serve in an entry level biomedical engineer career development position. It is expected that biomedical engineers at the entry level receive ongoing guidance from more experienced staff members and perform assignments under close supervision. Biomedical Engineer GS-9 (Developmental Level 1) (a) Experience. At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower level. OR, (b) Education i. Master's degree in Biomedical Engineering, or a related field of study, as outlined in paragraph 3.b.(1). OR, ii. Bachelor's degree, as outlined in paragraph 3.b.(1), plus two full years of progressively higher level graduate education in a related field of study, provided the applicant's total background demonstrates the KSAs for the GS-9 level assignment. (c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: i. Knowledge of the principles, theories, concepts, and practices of the Biomedical Engineering profession. ii. Ability to interpret relevant codes, regulations, guidelines, and standards, and make recommendations to ensure compliance with medical center programs. iii. Ability to understand the operational needs of clinical services in the health care system. iv. Ability to prepare material on current technical topics and trends, for presentation to other technical staff and mid-level hospital management, and the ability to keep abreast of changes in technology. Assignment. Biomedical Engineers, at this developmental level, require direction on more complex tasks. Employees complete technical assignments in the engineering field, under the direction of a senior biomedical engineer and will be required to rotate through, and participate in, the operations of other hospital services. At the GS-9 grade level, employees function with oversight by a supervisor for more complex assignments. Biomedical Engineer GS-11 (Developmental Level 2) (a) Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower level, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level. OR, (b) Education i. Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree in Biomedical Engineering, or a related field of engineering, as outlined in paragraph 3.b.(1). OR, ii. 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). (c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. 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. Assignment. At the developmental level, employees function on a semi independent basis with limited oversight by senior biomedical engineers. They participate in medical device hazard investigations, to assure compliance with patient safety goals, the Safe Medical Devices Act (SMDA), TJC requirements, and assist in the development of an equipment management program at the medical center. Employees may lead medical technology deployments, directly support medical equipment, or participate in research projects. Biomedical Engineer GS-12 (Full Performance Level) (a) Experience. Completion of at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower level; or completion of a post-doctoral research fellowship in the field of biomedical engineering, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level. (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G38 - Biomedical Engineer qualification standard. 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-7 to GS-12. Physical Requirements: Work is generally performed in an office environment. Tasks may be performed while standing, kneeling, climbing ladders, frequent walking, stooping or bending for extended periods. Work may also be performed in awkward positions, lifting maybe required up to 40 pounds without the use of a lifting aid.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address Central Alabama VA Medical Center-Montgomery 215 Perry Hill Road Montgomery, AL 36109 US
• Name: Sherrita Hamilton
• Phone: 205-702-1479
• Email: [email protected]