This position is located at Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center, Augusta, GA. 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

Biomedical Engineer - Total Reward$ of a VA Career Flyer 9-8-2022 locked.pdf The major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Lifecycle management of advanced imaging or radiological devices includes physical and network support. Completes both routine and complex assignments involved in the installation, maintenance, modification, troubleshooting, repair and calibration of these complex therapeutic and diagnostic devices and systems. Utilize comprehensive knowledge of imaging techniques, radiological practices, and procedures in resolving highly complex equipment failures that have immediate risks to patient and safety. Manages complete systems of central computerized networks, databases, analytic servers, and medical device networks as it relates to advanced imaging equipment. Implements and plans for new or emerging technologies such as new diagnostic modalities, network management and storage appliances, virtual data centers, and associated image software. Coordinates and provides technical and project oversight of Imaging modalities, and similar biomedical information systems (e.g., analytics, data bridge interface, anesthesia record keeping, cardiology information systems, and diagnostic medical imaging systems). Maintains functional 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). Utilizes advanced radiological test equipment including, but not limited to radiation dosimeters, calibration phantoms, high voltage testing devices, KV and MA meters, and monitor calibration devices in addition to common test equipment including electrical safety analyzers, oscilloscopes, patient simulators, pulse generators, network analyzers, and multimeters, among others. Troubleshoots and maintains radiological information systems and interfaces (TCP/IP, HL7, TC/IP, and DICOM) alongside PACS Administrators, OIT, BESS (Biomedical Information Systems), and other experts. Manages these systems as assigned. Performs advanced testing and troubleshooting of advanced imaging or radiological devices involving their interface and connections to other medical devices or information systems either directly or through the facility's hard wire and wireless networks. Adheres to Medical Device Isolation Architecture (MDIA) guidelines in both pre-procurements, during system implementation, and system management. Loads operating systems (OS) and clinical application software as needed. Executes VA guidelines when responding to network incident response (due to infection, loss of services, or regional and local policy changes). Investigate, remediate, and document Repairable Medical Device (RMD) recalls, and safety alerts issued through the VA Alerts and Recall Management System (ARMS) within established timeframes. Participates in local safety improvement processes such as Root Cause Analysis (RCA), safety work groups, and Environment of Care Rounds. Identifies hazards during routine job performance and takes action to ensure they are addressed and corrected. Additional duties are performed as assigned by the supervisor related to imaging maintenance, remediation, and tracking of medical systems (action items, special projects, etc.) to meet mission-critical requirements. May be asked to assist in other administrative duties as well, including participating in hiring panels. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:00 am - 3:30 pm, EST Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized for highly qualified applicants. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

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. 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. 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. Licensure/Certification/Registration. None 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. See Chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (Imaging), GS-12 Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Certification as a Certified Radiology Equipment Specialist (CRES) is highly desirable at this level however it is not required. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 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). Comprehensive knowledge of imaging techniques, technologies, radiological practices, and procedures. 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. Ability to resolve highly complex breakdowns that have an immediate risk to patient safety. 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. 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/95 - 1601-BiomedicalEquipmentSupportSpecialist.pdf (va.gov) The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary, although some physical effort may be required, e.g., walking, standing, climbing ladders, stooping, kneeling, and carrying light items.

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 Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center One Freedom Way Augusta, GA 30901 US
• Name: Jacquetta Dixon
• Email: [email protected]