VA Portland Health Care System is a Complexity Level 1a Facility and provides extensive primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary care in outpatient, inpatient, residential, and community settings. VAPORHCS is a multi-site medical system that includes a major medical facility in Portland, Oregon, outpatient and residential facilities in Vancouver, Washington, and 10 Community Based Outpatient Clinics.

Duties

The duties of this position include but are not limited to the following: The work requires the application of engineering concepts and methodology to investigate problems and phenomena of living systems, in order to advance the understanding of these systems and to improve medical practices. Biomedical Engineering work requires knowledge and skill in multiple engineering disciplines and specialized subject matter expertise in areas such as computer applications, electronics, mathematics, along with a background in human anatomy and physiology. As a Biomedical Engineer for the Portland VA Health Care System, the incumbent provides professional engineering support to a highly technical and customer service- oriented Biomedical Engineering Program. The Biomedical Engineering Program includes medical equipment and technology assessment, strategic equipment planning, acquisition support, coordination, implementation, overall equipment management "cradle to grave", and ongoing medical equipment and equipment systems sustainment. The incumbent supports the Portland VA Health Care System mission and Healthcare Technology Management section's goals while operating in accordance with medical center policies, Biomedical Department policies, and standards of professional service. They are a professional consultant and advisor to PVHCS management on healthcare technology matters facility staff, and facility service line and department directors. He/she consults with and provides guidance to technical staff in the Biomedical Engineering Section. The Biomedical Engineer supports the Chief of the Healthcare Technology Management Section on matters pertaining to Biomedical Engineering program operations and effective delivery of services. The primary purpose of this position is to research, procure, maintain, and sustain the medical equipment program which involves highly sophisticated digital equipment with significant IT interfacing due to connections to medical center information technology networks and other systems. This includes equipment such as: MRI imaging, PACS equipment, CT scanners, computed radiography, digital radiography, ultrasound, endoscopy imaging equipment, nuclear medicine scanners, laser imaging systems, anesthesia equipment, EKG systems, biofeedback systems, cardiac output equipment, physiologic monitoring equipment, physiologic monitoring networks, digital dental imaging, vital signs monitors, respiratory therapy systems, dialysis systems, and surgical equipment etc. In addition to knowledge of the equipment, the work requires knowledge of basic anatomy and the purpose and use of the equipment in order to perform installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair duties. The incumbent has primary responsibility for medical equipment technology support and management, however, he/she will have secondary responsibility in other areas, as required. Medical equipment technology support and management includes technology assessment, evaluation, planning, and recommendation; project management, purchasing/contracting, education, medical device hazard/incident investigation, and ensuring medical equipment system reliability through appropriate upgrade, interface, modification, and testing. Through this support, the incumbent's position is critical to the delivery of high-quality patient care. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 07:00 am-3:30 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorize

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 and/or Experience: The individual must meet either item (1) or (2) below to meet this requirement: 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, Certification as a Certified Clinical Engineer (CCE) and a bachelor's degree not listed in item 3.b.(1) above. English Language Proficiency. Biomedical Engineers must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 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 Engineer, GS-7 (Entry Level) Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. 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. Biomedical Engineer, GS-9 (Developmental Level 1) Experience: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower level. OR, Education: Master's degree in Biomedical Engineering, or a related field of study, as outlined in paragraph 3.b.(1). OR, 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience/education above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of the principles, theories, concepts, and practices of the Biomedical Engineering profession. Ability to interpret relevant codes, regulations, guidelines, and standards, and make recommendations to ensure compliance with medical center programs. Ability to understand the operational needs of clinical services in the health care system. 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. Biomedical Engineer, GS-11 (Developmental Level 2) Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower level, [and must fully meet the KSAs at that level. OR, Education: Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree in Biomedical Engineering, or a related field of engineering, as outlined in paragraph 3.b.(1). 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). Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 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. 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. 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. Knowledge of basic project management principles, as applied to the healthcare setting and medical equipment, and information system implementation. Biomedical Engineer, GS-12 (Full Performance Level) 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Ability to conduct a medical equipment management [or biomedical research program that is compliant with applicable healthcare standards and regulatory agencies. Ability to develop a curriculum for a continuing education program, that address the safe and effective use of medical technology, and/or research devices. 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. Ability to conduct capital asset and infrastructure planning for medical equipment spanning initial concept, installation, and effective implementation of complex medical equipment. 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. 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. Knowledge of concepts related to computer based medical systems, networking protocols, and information security as it applies to medical technology within VHA. Skill in communicating and working collaboratively with key stakeholders, including technical and professional staff at various levels of the organization. Ability to apply project management principles to deployment of medical equipment and health information technologies. References: VA Handbook 5005/104 PART II APPENDIX G38 II-G38-1 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-07 to GS-12.

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 VA Portland Health Care System 3710 Southwest US Veterans Hospital Road Portland, OR 97239 US
• Name: Scott Newburn
• Phone: 208-422-1000 X7576
• Email: [email protected]