Clarification from the agency

Open to US Citizens

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Duties include but are not limited to:

• Lifecycle management of network equipment including but not limited to network switches, servers, routers and related infrastructure for any and all networked complex medical devices and systems such as imaging, life support, dialysis, and monitoring.
• Completes both routine and complex assignments involved identifying and troubleshooting issues related to VLAN configuration, IP addressing, sub-netting, HL7, DICOM, Access Control List (ACL) and network security across the medical device network.
• Coordinate and work effectively with other facility support departments including but not limited to Facilities Management Service (FMS), Office of Information Technology (OIT), Sterile Processing Service (SPS), and Environmental Management Service (EMS).
• Manage, troubleshoot and maintains complete system of computerized networks, databases and servers including but not limited to biomedical information systems that store or facilitate patient information.
• Implement and plan for new and emerging technologies including but not limited to diagnostic modalities, network management and storage, and virtual data centers.
• Design, implement and manage network incident response due to infection, loss of service or regional and local policy changes according to VA guidelines.
• Documents all work performed in the computerized maintenance management system (CMMS). This documentation is completed in accordance with regulatory body requirements, Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) Documentation of Services guidelines and other organizational requirements. Maintain documentation of biomedical information systems covering ePHI requirements, VLAN, IP address, anti-virus software, security and other required information
• Provide mentoring and technical training to peers and development graded BESS.
• Represent Biomedical/Clinical Engineering department on committees and in meetings as delegated by supervisor.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7am-3:30pm
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Grandfathering Provision: All persons employed in VHA as a BESS on the effective date of this qualification standard (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. For employees who do not 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: 1) Such employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the fill 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. 2) 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. 3) Bess 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. 4) Employees who are retained as a BESS under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry as a BESS.

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 for the GS-12: One year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level that demonstrates the technical competencies described at that level and performing duties such as advanced testing and troubleshooting of medical devices involving their interfaces and connections to information systems through hospital hardwired and wireless networks, using all types of test and calibration equipment such as digital oscillscopes, pulse generators, and Local Area Network (LAN) analyzers in performing troubleshooting/repair and preventive maintenance activities and utilizing and maintaining computer and server based medical equipment, medical record databases and proprietary and generic software and performing routine and complex assignments involved in the installation, maintenance, modification, troubleshooting, repair and calibration of these complex therapeutic, diagnostic and life support medical devices and systems; monitoring system backups, file integrity, ensuing-network connectivity between systems, servers databases and the electronic medical record; reloading operating systems and clinical application software in the even of a system failure and interface with OI&T locally and at other sites.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
Current knowledge of computer virus protection software, available software patches and upgrades, and information security tools.

• Expert knowledge of electronics, computer and networking theory with experience maintaining, interfacing and troubleshooting networked medical equipment to include VLAN configuration, IP addressing, sub-netting, and network security.
• 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, network security, and DICOM standards.
• Ability to interpret, identify, and apply network engineering principles and practices where there often times is no previous example to follow, or precedence.
• Skill to distinguish networking problems from non-networking problems and discuss various options with IT networking and operations staff members.

References: VA Handbook 5005/95 Part II Appendix G49


Physical Requirements: The work requires some 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. It requires recurring lifting of light to moderately heavy items typically weighing over 50 pounds, such as medical and test equipment, patient monitors, tools, and components. The work assignments will involve working in cramped and awkward positions which may be outside or inside, on elevated structures, and in cramped areas. Work assignments may be at the medical center and/or at any of its outpatient clinics. Work assignments may require the incumbent driving to different parts of the Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System. It will involve regular visits to construction sites at varying stages of completion.

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, résumé, 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.