Clarification from the agency

First Consideration is given to internal perm employees of Salem VAMC.

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• Provides Lifecycle management of all medical systems.
• Coordinates & works effectively with other facility support departments.
• Utilizes common test equipment.
• Performs advanced testing & troubleshooting of medical devices & systems involving their interfaces & connections to information systems.
• Follows Medical Device Isolation Architecture (MDIA) Guidelines in both pre-procurement & during system implementation.
• Loads operating system (OS) & clinical application software as needed.
• Executes VA guidelines when responding to network incident response.
• Manages the medical equipment management program.
• Exercises budgetary authority over the program & is responsible for managing all operating, personnel & discretionary spending.
• Develops policy for the Biomedical Engineering department & local facility as needed.
• Translates management goals & objectives into well-coordinated & controlled biomedical work operations.
• Maintains knowledge of relevant safety codes & standards of regulatory bodies.
• Documents all work in the computerized maintenance management system (CMMS).
• Implements the Biomedical Section training program, in-house cross training, & vendor training.
• Functions as a Contracting Officer Representative (COR) & keeps appropriate certification levels.
• Collaborates with Logistics & Contracting to procure parts & services; functions as a purchase card holder.
• Investigates, remediates & documents recalls & safety alerts.
• Participates in local safety improvement processes.
• Identifies hazards during routine job performance & takes action to ensure they are addressed & corrected.
• Maintains knowledge of state of the art medical technology, including scientific advances, network protocols, & vendor changes.
• Focuses on professional development in all areas of medical technology lifecycle management.
• Plans for & evaluates acquisition & replacement of complex & critical medical equipment.
• Develops & annually updates plans for equipment replacement & acquisition.
• Provides training & education as appropriate to medical technology end users & clinical staff.
• Provides mentoring & technical training to peers & development graded BESS.
• Advises the Chief, Engineering Service on construction impacts expected from acquisition of new equipment.
• Represents Biomedical/Clinical Engineering department on committees & in meetings as delegated by supervisor.

Supervisory Functions:

• Develops goals, objectives, & policy for the medical equipment management program & monitors progress.
• Provides analysis, identifies, & plans workload among subordinates in accordance with established workflow &/or job specializations.
• Sets & adjusts short-term & long-term priorities, & sets deadlines for completion of work as necessary.
• Revises work schedules to meet anticipated & unanticipated workload.
• Assigns daily work to staff, establishing priorities based on workload related to BESS & ensures that each employee has an integral role in developing the final team product.
• Reviews progress of work assignments, modifies as needed & checks completed work for accuracy.
• Ensures SOPs & standards are followed.
• Advises supervisor & other management officials as necessary on status of critical medical equipment that may adversely impact veteran care &/or access.
• Provides input to the annual budget for the unit, & monitors spending throughout the fiscal year to ensure that adequate resources are available to support mission.
• Evaluates need for service contracts & on-demand vendor service.
• Leads the team in assessing its strengths & weaknesses & helps explore alternatives to determine what improvements can be made.
• Develops performance standards for subordinates; evaluates work performance of subordinates using work order & other relevant data.
• Gives advice, counsel, or instruction to employees on technical & administrative matters.
• Hears & resolves complaints from employees, referring group grievances & more serious unresolved complaints to a higher-level supervisor or manager.
• Effects disciplinary measures, recommending other action in more serious cases.
• Identifies & provides developmental training needs for employees.
• Plans for long-range staffing needs, considering changes to medical equipment inventory, medical center strategic plan, & budget.
• Interviews candidates for positions; recommends selection, appointment, promotion, or reassignments.
• Recommends awards or bonuses for subordinates.
• Approves & monitors the use of overtime &/or alternate tours of duty.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday / 7:45am - 4:30pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: PD000000
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
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 trial period.
• 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 dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

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

• 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.

GRADE DETERMINATIONS: Supervisory Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist, GS-12
Experience: At least one year of experience at the GS-11 grade level that demonstrates the technical competencies described at that level.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to meeting the KSAs at the GS-11 grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment-specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*):
(a) Ability to work independently to set priorities, delegate tasks, meet multiple deadlines, analyze organizational problems, and develop and implement effective solutions to optimize quality, efficiency, performance, and productivity within the service.
(b) Ability to develop policy; manage medical equipment life-cycle processes; and provide workload analysis in Healthcare Technology Management operations.
(c) Ability to translate management goals and objectives into well-coordinated and controlled biomedical work operations.
*(d) Ability to perform the full range of supervisory duties which would include responsibility for assignment of work to be performed; assessments of competency; evaluation of performance; selection of staff; and recommendation of awards, advancements, and when appropriate, disciplinary actions.

References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G49, Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist Qualification Standard GS-1601

Physical Requirements: Performance of the employee's duties can be physically demanding. Work assignments involve: desk and bench work; on-site system restorations that require extended periods of walking, sitting, and standing; lifting objects up to 50 pounds and occasionally lifting heavier objects is necessary. Objects may be awkward in balance or shape. The employee will be required to climb on ladders and scaffolds. Bending and the ability to work in awkward positions and cramped quarters will occasionally be required of the employee. The work performed is of a precise nature requiring prolonged concentration. Priorities often change and deadlines are often tight and hard to meet. Failure to meet deadlines has direct impact to patient scheduling and may result in canceled or outsourced procedures/exams. Employee, at times, works under conditions of extreme stress and must be able to interact effectively with medical staff and perform work in a calm analytical manner.

Work Environment: Work places are generally well lighted and ventilated. He/she will be required to work in areas where contagious disease and patient bodily fluids exist. There is exposure to noxious chemicals, contagious diseases, and the risk of infection resulting from scrapes and scratches. The employee must always be aware of safety hazards and take appropriate actions to minimize or avoid safety risks. He/she must observe all local and national safety codes; comply with all safety factors of the trade to prevent fires and injury to patients, visitors, and staff. Personal protective equipment must be used when appropriate. He/she must immediately report accidents or injuries to appropriate supervision. He/she must know procedures for working in these areas and use all appropriate safety tools, clothing, etc., to protect self, other staff, visitors, and patients. The employee may be expected to participate in overtime work at night and on weekends. Also, the employee may be expected to work irregular tours of duty. Travel between the remote clinics and facilities within VISN will be occasionally required.

Assignments: Supervisory Biomedical Engineering Support Specialists are generally found in Complexity Level 1 (High Complexity) facilities. The supervisory BESS is responsible for the supervision, administrative management, and direction of lower level BESSs. The incumbent supports the Chief Biomedical Engineer with assisting in the administrative and professional responsibilities of planning and directing the Biomedical Engineering/Healthcare Technology Management staff activities for the service or equivalent unit at an independent outpatient clinic. Incumbent may have full supervisory responsibility over a section or equivalent work unit if there is not a Biomedical Engineer at the facility. Typical duties may include: preparing work assignments, monitoring medical equipment life-cycle management performances of Biomedical Engineering/Healthcare Technology Management staff, conducting performance appraisals, and other technical and administrative responsibilities to ensure that the mission of the service and the medical center has been satisfied. The supervisor assures compliance with accrediting agency and regulatory requirements; establishes and monitors the quality of the pre-analytical processes as part of the overall Biomedical Engineering service quality management program, and assures corrective action is initiated as needed. The supervisor assures orientation and competency assessment of assigned staff. The supervisor develops policies and procedures, manages document control, develops performance standards, position descriptions and functional statements. They may be responsible for professional and administrative management of an assigned area to include budget execution. The supervisor will maintain interdepartmental relations with other services to accomplish medical center goals.

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.