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Biomedical Engineer

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
VA Desert Pacific Healthcare Network (VISN 22) - Long Beach VA Healthcare Network
This job announcement has closed

Summary

The VA Long Beach Healthcare System is recruiting for a Biomedical Engineer assigned to the Biomedical Engineering Section within the Engineering Service. The Biomedical Engineer works closely with senior Biomedical Engineering staff to provide professional biomedical services as it relates to technology assessment, acquisition, and implementation of medical devices and systems.

Overview

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Hiring complete
Open & closing dates
07/17/2021 to 07/31/2021
Salary
$49,884 to - $115,039 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 00
Location
Long Beach, CA
2 vacancies
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
12
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
CBSX-11171171-21-RMB
Control number
607819100

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Current employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs only. If you do not work for the Department of Veterans Affairs, please apply to Announce: CBSX-11171172-21-RMB

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Duties

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The major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

  • Serves as the biomedical point of contact and assist with implementation of medical technology, including site preparation requirement assessment, project activities and timeliness, and training of equipment operators and maintenance staff.
  • Ensures the provision of safe, reliably maintained, and clinically appropriate medical equipment for the delivery of quality healthcare in a cost-effective manner.
  • Assures that all medical equipment recalls, and hazard alerts are managed and acted upon as appropriate and equipment related safety enhancements are implemented as instructed.
  • Assists in assuring that all medical equipment recalls, and hazard alerts are managed and acted upon as appropriate and equipment related safety enhancements are implemented as instructed.
  • Collaborates with facility leadership, clinical program managers, key stakeholders, and other VISN and national Biomedical Engineers/managers in order to facilitate technical and administrative aspects of the projects as assigned and appropriate.
  • Serves as the biomedical subject matter expert (SME) on the implementation of medical technology in the areas of high cost/high-tech medical technology, including site preparation requirement assessment, project activities and timeliness, and training of equipment operators and maintenance staff.
  • Participates in medical technology management and equipment procurement processes including the administration and technical oversight of service contracts, as well as contributes to price negotiations, to ensure proper equipment functionality.
  • Provides biomedical engineering and project management support for capital asset and infrastructure planning of complex medical equipment during the purchase, planning, construction design review, installation, and in-service training stages of medical equipment projects such as cardiac catheterization laboratories, radiology suites and computer systems software.

Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday, 07:30am to 4:00pm
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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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

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 and/or Experience:
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 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).

Preferred Experience: Specialized subject matter expertise in areas such as computer applications, electronics, mathematics, along with a background in human anatomy and physiology is highly desirable.

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met for this position.
GS-07: Basic requirements
Assignment. Employees serve in an entry level biomedical engineer career development position. It is expected that biomedical engineers at the entry level receive ongoing guidance from more experienced staff members and perform assignments under close supervision.

GS-09: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower level.
OR,
Master's degree in Biomedical Engineering, or a related field of study outlined in the basic requirements.
OR,
Bachelor's degree outlined in the basic requirements, plus two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education in a related field of study.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  1. Knowledge of the principles, theories, concepts, and practices of the Biomedical Engineering profession.
  2. Ability to interpret relevant codes, regulations, guidelines, and standards, and make recommendations to ensure compliance with medical center programs.
  3. Ability to understand the operational needs of clinical services in the health care system.
  4. 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.
Assignment. Biomedical Engineers, at this developmental level, require direction on more complex tasks. Employees complete technical assignments in the engineering field, under the direction of a senior biomedical engineer.

GS-11: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower level

OR,

Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree in Biomedical Engineering, or a related field of engineering, as outlined in the basic requirements.

OR,

Bachelor's degree, plus three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education in a related field of study, as outlined in the basic requirements.
Demonstrate Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Knowledge of basic project management principles, as applied to the healthcare setting and medical equipment, and information system implementation.
  4. 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.
Assignment. At the developmental level, employees' function on a semi-independent basis with limited oversight by senior biomedical engineers. They participate in medical device hazard investigations, to assure compliance with patient safety goals, the Safe Medical Devices Act, TJC requirements, and assist in the development of an equipment management program at the medical center. Employees may lead medical technology deployments, directly support medical equipment, or participate in research projects.

GS-12: 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.
Demonstrate Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
  1. Ability to conduct a medical equipment management or biomedical research program that is compliant with applicable healthcare standards and regulatory agencies.
  2. Ability to develop a curriculum for a continuing education program, that address the safe and effective use of medical technology, and/or research devices.
  3. 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.
  4. Ability to conduct capital asset and infrastructure planning for medical equipment spanning initial concept, installation, and effective implementation of complex medical equipment.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. Knowledge of concepts related to computer based medical systems, networking protocols, and information security as it applies to medical technology within VHA.
  8. Skill in communicating and working collaboratively with key stakeholders, including technical and professional staff at various levels of the organization.
  9. Ability to apply project management principles to deployment of medical equipment and health information technologies.
Assignment. At the full performance level, employees work under general supervision, with wide latitude to exercise independent judgment. Drawing upon extended professional and technical experience, employees demonstrate an intimate understanding of complex clinical and biomedical subject matter. They serve as institutional resources, working extensively with clinical stakeholders, supporting clinical services by leading market.

References: VA Handbook 5005/104, Part II, Appendix G38, Biomedical Engineer Qualification Standard, GS-0858, Veterans Health Administration.

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.

Physical Requirements: The work may require regular and recurring physical exertion, involving standing for prolonged periods of time, lifting/carrying of items weighing up to 40 pounds, and bending/stooping

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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Additional information

Clinical Engineer (CCE). Certification means having successfully passed a CCE written and oral examination administered by the American College of Clinical Engineering. Individuals with CCE certification demonstrate competency and professional recognition, as measured by an examination designed by their peers. Certification promotes healthcare delivery improvement through the continuing assessment and recognition of the competency of professionals. These professionals support and advance patient care by applying engineering and management skills to healthcare technology. If appointed with a CCE requirement, the employee must maintain certification throughout employment. The American College of Clinical Engineering determines acceptable educational preparation and degree requirements for CCE eligibility.
Professional Engineering Experience. To be creditable, experience must have been accomplished after receipt of the bachelor's degree, and/or CCE certification, and requires the possession and use of knowledge, skills, and abilities associated within the scope of the biomedical engineering profession. Additionally, the experience must have been attained in a healthcare setting for Biomedical Engineer (Clinical) positions, or a research setting for Biomedical Engineer (Research) positions and be directly applicable to the assignment.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

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

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.

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.

If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.

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.

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