Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist

Summary The Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (BESS) works in Facilities Management Service at the Detroit VA Medical Center and provides clinical and administrative support to staff, patients, and administrators for all matters of concern relating to the facility wide lifecycle management of medical equipment.

Responsibilities 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).

Duties include, but are not limited to:

Lifecycle management of all medical systems such as imaging, life support, dialysis, and monitoring to Include physical and network support.

Coordinates and works effectively with other facility support departments including but not limited to Facilities Management Service (FMS), Office of lnformation Technology (OIT), Patient Safety, Sterile Processing Service (SPS), Logistics, Contracting, Informatics and Environmental Management Service (EMS).

Specific tasks Include but are not limited to incoming inspections, regular and unscheduled maintenance, and planning for end of life replacement In conjunction with clinical services.

Utilizes common test equipment including, but not limited to patient simulators, pulse generators, network analyzers, test phantoms, electrical safety analyzers, oscilloscopes, end multimeters.

Applies basic networking principles to resolve medical system communication issues including, but not limited to, node to server failures.

Adheres to VA Medical Device Cyber Security policies and procedures in pre-procurement, during system implementation, and throughout the life of the system.

Loads operating system (OS) and clinical application software as needed. Executes VA policy when responding to network incident response (due to Infection, loss of services due to policy changes).

Investigates, remediates and documents 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. Provides training and education as appropriate to medical technology end users and clinical staff. Provides mentoring and technical training to peers and BESS at developmental levels. May be tasked with leading and managing installation or upgrade projects for medical devices and systems.

This includes but is not limited to pre-implementation planning and coordination with end users, vendors, and other onsite support staff (OIT, Informatics, SPS, etc.).

Represents Biomedical/Clinical Engineering department on committees and in meetings as delegated by supervisor.

Work Schedule:
Monday - Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm Telework:

Not Available Virtual:
This is not a virtual position

Functional Statement #:
91948-A; 91949-A; 91950-A; 91951-A Relocation/

Recruitment Incentives:
Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS):

Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.

All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.

Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.

Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

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.

Experience & 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 & 2 years of experience as a BESS, 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 & 2 years of experience as a BESS 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 & spoken English.

Grandfathering Provision.

All persons employed in VHA as a BESS on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series & grade held, including positive education that is part of the basic requirements of the occupation.

For employees who don't meet all the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:

Such employees may be reassigned, promoted up to & including the full performance (journeyman) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.

BESSs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.

BESSs initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.

Employees who are retained as a BESS under this provision & subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status & must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry as a BESS.

Grade Determinations:
GS-5- Experience/Education. None beyond basic requirements. GS-7- Experience. At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the GS-5 level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities KSAs.

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate:

Ability to read, interpret, & apply a great variety of technical data such as schematic drawings, wiring diagrams, table charts, mathematical expressions & formulas.

Ability to learn equipment maintenance, operating procedures, & repair procedures from training materials & courses.

Fundamental knowledge of electronics to include analog, digital & microprocessor theory, pneumatics, hydraulics, optics, electro-mechanics, physics, basic ne2rking, & chemistry.

Knowledge of the use of standard level test equipment to include, but not limited to, multi meters, electrical safety analyzers, patient simulator, storage oscilloscopes, manometers, tachometers, etc.

Knowledge of anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, medical equipment, & technology. GS-9- Experience. At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the GS-7 level. Demonstrated KSAs.

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate:

Knowledge of electronics & electricity including analog & intermediate digital electronics to test, calibrate, maintain, & repair biomedical equipment & moderately complex biomedical instrumentation systems.

Skill in the setup & use of standard & advanced level test equipment to perform precise & detailed analysis of the operating & design characteristics of equipment & initiate repairs, reconfiguration, or redesign of moderately complex medical systems.

Skill in applying theory, concepts, techniques, design characteristics, operation, & functions to assist & support installation, operation, test, maintenance, repair, design, & modification for a comprehensive range of medical equipment connected to ne2rks or other operating systems.

Ability to evaluate practical & technical information from manufacturers, contract specifications, manuals, & historical data in order to perform analysis required to make effective recommendations concerning operation, maintenance, & repair of medical equipment.

Ability to perform testing & troubleshooting of medical devices involving their interfaces & connections to other medical devices, clinical systems, or information systems either directly or through the hospitals hardwired & wireless ne2rks.

Ability to use application software & hardware as it relates to the operation & diagnostics of medical equipment.

Knowledge of computer equipment with a wide variety of software to input & retrieve data as required, & to prepare a variety of specific working documents & forms such as spreadsheet, database, word processing, & other similar products.

GS-11- Experience. At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the GS-9 level.

Certification as a Certified Biomedical Equipment Technician (CBET), Certified Laboratory Equipment Specialist (CLES), Net+ & A+ are highly desirable at this level but not required.

Demonstrated KSAs.

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

Knowledge of a wide range of sciences including, but not limited to, electronics (analog & digital), computer science/ne2rking, mechanical engineering design, pneumatics, hydraulics, chemistry, physiology, medical terminology, anatomy, optics, & biology to perform duties of a broad scope & nature on complex & sophisticated patient-related medical systems & sub-systems.

Ability to perform advanced testing & troubleshooting of medical devices involving their interfaces & connections to information systems either directly or through the hospitals hardwired & wireless ne2rks.

Knowledge of codes & standards relevant to safe operation of medical instrumentation such as National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), the Joint Commission (TJC), & the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI).

Skill in the use of all types of test & calibration equipment such as digital multi-meters, electrical safety analyzers, defibrillator analyzers, patient simulators, digital oscilloscopes, pulse generators, & Local Area Ne2rk (LAN) analyzers in performing troubleshooting/repair & preventive maintenance activities.

Ability to configure & maintain medical servers & desktop computers. Knowledge of contracting regulations, requirements, & specific contract specifications including performance-based contracts.

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).

Preferred Experience:

Hospital Experience in:
sterilizers, washing equipment (SPS), scopes testing, surgical lights, beds and stretchers repairs

References:
VA Handbook 5005/95, Pt. II, Appendix G49 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11.

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-5 to GS-11.

Physical Requirements:
See VA Directive & Handbook 5019. 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:
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:
Additional Information During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive , VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. VA Healthcare System Serving Ohio, Indiana and Michigan (VISN 10) advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

---