Clarification from the agency

This is an external job announcement. All applicants applying under this external announcement will be subject to Veterans' preference. Current permanent Greater Los Angeles VAMC employees, current permanent VA Nationwide employees, Please apply under the INTERNAL announcement, CBSX-12193565-24-BD, unless applying by using Veteran Preference.

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***This an an open continuous announcement. Applicants that apply by 10/16/2023 will be reviewed and sent to manager for consideration. After that date applicants will be reviewed and sent to the manager on an as needed basis. ***

Major Duties includes but not limited to:

• Provide clinical and administrative support to staff, patients and administrators for all matters of concern relating to the facility wide lifecycle management.
• Develop and maintain functional knowledge of relevant safety codes and standards of regulatory bodies including but not limited to the Joint Commission, National Fire Protection Association, Food and Drug Administration, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation.
• Investigates, remediates and documents all recall and safety alerts within established timeframes.
• Develop and maintains knowledge of the state of the art medical technology, including scientific advances, basic network protocols and medical device security and vendor changes.
• Provide support of basic medical equipment and systems.
• Determines if the equipment performs satisfactorily by selecting or designing appropriate test evaluations of performance in accordance with Original Equipment Manufacturer standards.
• Use writing skills to clearly and accurately communicate matters of importance.
• Document all work performed in the computerized maintenance management system.
• Represents Biomedical/Clinical Engineering department on committees and in meetings as delegated by supervisor.
• 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 Facilities Management Service, Office of Information Technology, Patient Safety, Steril Processing Service, Logistics, Contracting, Informatics and Environmental Management Service.
• Applies general networking principles to resolve medical system communication issues including node to server failures.
• Utilizes general knowledge of computer hardware, software, communication standards, security, storage media, to maximize the usage and functionality of complex, integrated medical equipment systems and networks.

Work Schedule: 7:00am - 3:30pm
Compressed/Flexible: Not Available
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 194804
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• 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

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.
• Education/Experience: 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.
• 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.

Grandfathering Provision
All persons employed in VHA as a BESS on FEBRUARY 7, 2018 are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education that is part of the basic requirements of the occupation.

Grade Determinations:
GS-05: None beyond the basic

GS-07: You must have at least one year of experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level.

You must also possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:
(a) Ability to read, interpret, and apply a great variety of technical data such as schematic drawings, wiring diagrams, table charts, mathematical expressions and formulas.
(b) Ability to learn equipment maintenance, operating procedures, and repair procedures from training materials and courses.
(c) Fundamental knowledge of electronics to include analog, digital and microprocessor theory, pneumatics, hydraulics, optics, electro-mechanics, physics, basic networking, and chemistry.
(d) Knowledge of the use of standard level test equipment to include, but not limited to, multimeters, electrical safety analyzers, patient simulator, storage oscilloscopes, manometers, tachometers, etc.
(e) Knowledge of anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, medical equipment, and technology.
(f) Knowledge of basic networking, computer/server hardware/software and information technologies and computer virus protection software, available software patches and upgrades, and information security tools (i.e. Microsoft Office, Windows operating systems, McAfee, etc.).

GS-09: You must have at least one year of experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level.

You must also possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:
(a) Knowledge of electronics and electricity including analog and intermediate digital electronics to test, calibrate, maintain, and repair biomedical equipment and moderately complex biomedical instrumentation systems.
(b) Skill in the setup and use of standard and advanced level test equipment to perform precise and detailed analysis of the operating and design characteristics of equipment and initiate repairs, reconfiguration, or redesign of moderately complex medical systems.
(c) Skill in applying theory, concepts, techniques, design characteristics, operation, and functions to assist and support installation, operation, test, maintenance, repair, design, and modification for a comprehensive range of medical equipment connected to networks or other operating systems.
(d) Ability to evaluate practical and technical information from manufacturers, contract specifications, manuals, and historical data in order to perform analysis required to make effective recommendations concerning operation, maintenance, and repair of medical equipment.
(e) Ability to perform testing and troubleshooting of medical devices involving their interfaces and connections to other medical devices, clinical systems, or information systems either directly or through the hospitals hardwired and wireless networks.
(f) Ability to use application software and hardware as it relates to the operation and diagnostics of medical equipment.
(g) Knowledge of computer equipment with a wide variety of software to input and retrieve data as required, and to prepare a variety of specific working documents and forms such as spreadsheet, database, word processing, and other similar products.

GS-11: You must have at least one year of experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level.

You must also possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:
(a) Knowledge of a wide range of sciences including, but not limited to, electronics (analog and digital), computer science/networking, mechanical engineering design, pneumatics, hydraulics, chemistry, physiology, medical terminology, anatomy, optics, and biology to perform duties of a broad scope and nature on complex and sophisticated patient-related medical systems and sub-systems.
(b) Ability to perform advanced testing and troubleshooting of medical devices involving their interfaces and connections to information systems either directly or through the hospitals hardwired and wireless networks.
(c) Knowledge of codes and standards relevant to safe operation of medical instrumentation such as National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), the Joint Commission (TJC), and the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI).
(d) Skill in the use of all types of test and calibration equipment such as digital multi-meters, electrical safety analyzers, defibrillator analyzers, patient simulators, digital oscilloscopes, pulse generators, and Local Area Network (LAN) analyzers in performing troubleshooting/repair and preventive maintenance activities.
(e) Ability to configure and maintain medical servers and desktop computers.
(f) Knowledge of contracting regulations, requirements, and specific contract specifications including performance-based contracts.

Preferred Experience:

• Clinical Laboratory experience with Automated Specimen Handling, Chemistry Analyzers, some experience with Genomics, FISH, LIS systems, and general laboratory equipment like Microscopes and Centrifuges.
• Experienced with Pulmonary Function Testing Systems, Nihon Kohden (both Sleep and EEG).

References: FEBRUARY 7, 2018 VA HANDBOOK 5005/95 PART 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: Work requires physical exertion, such as long periods of standing; recurring bending, crouching, stooping, stretching, climbing, or similar activities, especially to work on stationary equipment with components that may be difficult to access. Requires recurring lifting of light to moderately heavy items typically weighing over 50 pounds (i.e., test equipment, patient monitors, tools, and components). May involve working in cramped and awkward positions outside or inside. Work may be at the medical center and/or outpatient clinics. May require the incumbent driving to different parts of the Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System. Acceptable hearing, visual accuracy, field of vision, and color differentiation are required, and good hand-eye coordination.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.