Clarification from the agency

Area of Consideration: Open to current permanent VHA employees. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

Videos

The position requires broad scientific, technical, and clinical knowledge across the full range of medical technologies, along with highly specialized skills in medical technologies. The Biomedical Engineering program includes healthcare technology strategic planning, pre-purchase assessment, acquisition support, implementation coordination, equipment management, training, and ongoing maintenance support.

Provides oversight, guidance, and assistance to the VISN and its facilities in the strategic planning, pre-purchase assessment, acquisition support, implementation coordination, equipment management, and risk assessment/security configuration for medical equipment/healthcare technology.

The incumbent is a professional consultant and advisor on healthcare technology matters to network executive management, network program officers, executive management at all medical centers, clinical service lines, Biomedical Engineering Program Managers across the VISN and the VISN Chief Biomedical Engineer. The incumbent supports the network mission and Biomedical Engineering program goals while operating in accordance with VISN policies, biomedical policies, and standards of professional service. Consults with and provides guidance to technical staff in all Biomedical Engineering programs across the network. The Biomedical Engineer works in conjunction with the VISN Chief Biomedical Engineer on matters pertaining to Biomedical Engineering technology management, program operations and effective delivery of services.

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.

Duties:

• Receives administrative direction with assignments in terms of broadly defined missions and functions.
• Exercise's authority to oversee the overall planning, direction, and timely execution of assigned Biomedical Program activities.
• Responsible for planning, designing, and implementing programs, projects, studies, and other work to support healthcare technology across the Network.
• Technical expert and advisor on Biomedical Engineering issues and aids in the biomedical engineering support provided by biomedical staff across the Network.
• Leads technology assessment of medical equipment systems by working collaboratively with medical staff to evaluate market offerings, determine VISN requirements, design system configurations, and develop specifications.
• The Biomedical Program has direct impact on all clinical services provided in the Network. The program must ensure the provision of safe, reliably maintained, and clinically appropriate medical equipment for the delivery of quality healthcare in a cost-effective manner.
• Responsible for overall coordination of technical support of specific VISN 12 technology, including corrective and preventative maintenance.
• Responsible for establishing consistent methodologies, protocols, and procedures across VISN 12 in Biomedical Engineering.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday;8:00am - 4:30pm
Telework: This position may be authorized for Ad-hoc telework.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 00008-F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

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.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• 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).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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:

Citizenship: Must be a citizen of the United States.

English Language:Must be proficient in spoken and written English.

Education and/or Experience:

Bachelors 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.

OR,

Certification as a Certified Clinical Engineer (CCE) and a bachelors degree not listed in item above.

GS-14 Grade Determinations:

Specialized Experience: Must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience that equipped you with the knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. To be credible, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-13 level in the Federal service. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to:

• Implementing and/or sustaining an equipment management or biomedical research program that meets The Joint Commission (TJC), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), or other applicable regulatory requirements.
• Developing 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.
• Advising 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.
• Project management principles, as applied to the healthcare setting and medical equipment, and information system implementation.
• Interpreting and applying complex codes, regulations, guidelines, and standards associated with the biomedical engineering field.
• Communication and working collaboratively with key stakeholders, including technical and professional staff at various levels of the organization.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs.

• Ability to apply advanced knowledge of relevant codes, regulations, guidelines, and standards associated with biomedical engineering to support the needs of multiple facilities.
• Ability to effectively convey highly technical information to a wide variety of individuals, including technical and professional clinical staff, and senior level managers at the facility, VISN and/or national level.
• Ability to manage a recall and safety alert program for medical devices, including medical device incident investigations to assure compliance with patient safety goals, SMDA, and TJC requirements for multiple facilities.
• Ability to apply advanced knowledge of principles, theories, concepts, and practices of biomedical engineering. This would include the ability to keep abreast of changes in technology and utilize the information gained in the solution of biomedical engineering problems to meet operational needs of multiple facilities.
• Ability to directly support the most complex and specialized clinical technology including service, system administration, training, and quality assurance for multiple facilities.
• Ability to work collaboratively with other disciplines, senior management, VHA Central Office, and VISN staff.
• Ability to develop and implement healthcare technology management policies that are consistent with organizational objectives. Scope of organization spans from multiple facilities to national.

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).

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-14.

Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary, although there may be climbing, walking, bending, crawling, or stooping involved in activities such as investigating problems, or indoor/outdoor site visits

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.