Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Responsible for supporting a comprehensive medical equipment support program to ensure the safety, reliability, and diagnostic/therapeutic efficacy of all devices employed in the direct and indirect delivery of patient care.
• Performs activities related to strategic equipment planning, equipment procurement evaluation, equipment deployment and implementation, including equipment procured through the National Acquisition Center; hazard alerts and recalls; patient safety reports and incident investigations; networking of medical devices; computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) support; and achievement of key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Uses basic engineering principles to provide limited professional biomedical engineering services for the institution. Applies this knowledge to Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) functions involving complex, multidisciplinary medical systems.
• Supports the equipment maintenance program, particularly preventive maintenance and electrical safety, by learning optimal inspection frequencies based on professional judgment concerning reliability statistics; manufacturer recommendations; accrediting guidelines or regulatory requirements; and, at times, developing instructions and specifications for new equipment or technologies.
• Assists medical and administrative staff with contracts and purchase transactions related to medical equipment.
• Continually learns new technology, identifies trends, and presents information to other technical staff to support the HTM training program and keep staff current on changing technology within available resources. Uses this information to solve biomedical engineering problems.
• Maintains professional engineering knowledge of legislative and accrediting requirements at the medical center. Requirements include federal agencies and standards-such as the FDA, NFPA, EPA, and OSHA-as well as state and local authorities having jurisdiction over protection, quality of life, and the environment, and accrediting bodies such as The Joint Commission (TJC) and the College of American Pathologists (CAP). Follows all applicable policies and procedures.
• Coordinates and manages VAPAHCS projects requiring HTM involvement, serving as a lead or interface as assigned. Projects generally involve facility-based work and may include VISN- or National HTM-level initiatives. Assignments may span several weeks and require interdepartmental coordination.
• Supports the Medical Device Protection Program (MDPP), including devices within the Medical Device Isolation Architecture (MDIA) and related network-security issues.
• Evaluates major failure problems and inadequate performance of medical-equipment systems. Develops knowledge of a broad range of medical-equipment systems to resolve these problems.
• Prepares quality-assurance monitoring reports, standard operating procedures, and preventive-maintenance procedures as required. Develops, assists in developing, or reviews medical-center policy within the assigned area of responsibility.
• Presents written and oral communications and prepares technical, informational, and graphical documentation.
• Introduces new technology and practices involving medical systems to the medical center, often affecting clinical and administrative service processes.
• Demonstrates a high degree of technical and management judgment, initiative, originality, and resourcefulness to efficiently anticipate, identify, and resolve unique technical and operational problems in a highly dynamic environment.
• Helps establish a constructive workplace environment that maximizes the morale and efficiency of HTM staff so the Medical Center's needs are effectively met.
• Adheres to the code of ethics and consistently behaves in a professional manner.

Conditions of employment

• U.S. Citizenship; non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• 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.
• 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).
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
• Requires BLS Certification.

• 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.

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.
• English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
• Education and/or Experience, or Certification: The individual must meet either item (1) or (2) below to meet this requirement:
  • (1) 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,
  • (2) Certification as a Certified Clinical Engineer (CCE) and a bachelor's degree not listed in item 3.b.(1) above.

• Experience. None beyond the basic requirements.
• Education. Bachelor's degree or CCE certification with at least a bachelor's degree.

• Experience. At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower level. OR,
• Education: Master's degree in Biomedical Engineering, or a related field of study. OR, Bachelor's degree plus two full years of progressively higher level graduate education in a related field of study, provided the applicant's total background demonstrates the KSAs for the GS-9 level assignment.

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.

• Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower level, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level. OR,
• Education: Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree in Biomedical Engineering, or a related field of engineering. OR, Bachelor's degree, plus three full years of progressively higher level graduate education in a related field of study.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Knowledge of basic project management principles, as applied to the healthcare setting and medical equipment, and information system implementation.

• Experience. Completion of 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.

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.

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.

NOTE: Candidate's education, scope, and length of nursing practice (experience) will be considered in determining the grade and salary of the applicant selected. The recommended salary may be at any point in the range listed for this vacancy.

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.