Biomedical Engineer

Summary

Employee supports and advances patient care by applying engineering and managerial skills to healthcare technology.

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: Be a citizen of the United States
• (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with [VA Handbook 5005 - Part II -] chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3.g.) 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
• OR - Certification as a Certified Clinical Engineer (CCE) and a Bachelor's Degree not listed above
• Certification means having successfully passed a CCE written and oral examination administered by the American College of Clinical Engineering
• 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
• English Language Proficiency
• Biomedical Engineers must be proficient in spoken and written English.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: GS-12 (Full Performance Level)
• Experience: Completion of at least one year of creditable specialized equivalent to the next lower level (GS-11) such as experience functioning 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 - Safe Medical Devices Act (SMDA) and TJC requirement 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
• OR Completion of a post-doctoral research fellowship in the field of biomedical engineering
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills and Abilities: In addition the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSA's: Ability to conduct a medical equipment management or biomedical research program that is compliant with applicable healthcare standards and regulatory agencies
• Ability to develop a curriculum for a continuing education program - that address the safe and effective use of medical technology - and/or research devices
• Ability to manage a recall and safety alert program for medical devices - including medical device hazard investigations - to assure compliance with patient safety goals - the Safe Medical Devices Act - and The Joint Commission requirements
• Ability to conduct capital asset and infrastructure planning for medical equipment spanning initial concept - installation - and effective implementation of complex medical equipment
• 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
• 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
• Knowledge of concepts related to computer based medical systems - networking protocols - and information security as it applies to medical technology within Skill in communicating and working collaboratively with key stakeholders - including technical and professional staff at various levels of the organization
• Ability to apply project management principles to deployment of medical equipment and health information technologies
• Preferred Experience: None 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-12
• Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation - see Duties section for essential job duties of the position
• May require standing - lifting - carrying - sitting - stooping - bending - puling - and pushing
• May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment
• Able to independently operate a motor vehicle
• Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions
• the area is adequately lighted - heated - and ventilated
• However - the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations
• For positions requiring examinations - information is gleaned from the OF 178 - as submitted with the recruitment packet.
  
  

Duties

• Current permanent VA employees and Federal employees from other federal agencies should apply under CBST-12992100-26-TH Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Performing as a project leader in defining the requirements and specifications of medical electronic systems
• Assists in the development and implementation of the complex Biomedical Engineering Medical Center Program
• Serves as a staff advisor to the Biomedical Engineering Supervisor in the area of Biomedical Engineering as well as engineering principles and practices - which relate to the area of specialization and scientific discipline - drawing from professional educational background - as well as practical experience
• Has shared responsibility for the development and implementation of the medical center's system for physiological monitoring - automation in clinical laboratories - patient resuscitation - computer applications in biomedicine - and medical information systems
• Designs new systems to meet the requirements for medical services using conventional and state of the art equipment and components or specifies modifications to existing devices and systems for specific requirements of the medical center
• Has shared responsibility for medical engineering development - education and training - including instructing medical and allied and health personnel in the utilization of the equipment
• Assists in establishing controls and procedures and monitors implementation to assure that all electronic devices and systems - and computers related to patient care equipment are utilized efficiently and safely
• Observes and critiques the use of these devices - maintaining repair services and training personnel where necessary
• Evaluates the patient safety features of electrical equipment and oversees the patient electrical safety program for the medical center
• Assists Medical Research and A&MMS staff in the purchase of new electronic equipment by analyzing requirements - developing specifications and evaluating new devices and systems when necessary
• Coordinates and directs the installation of the equipment and systems as required
• Verifies the operational integrity and reliability of new equipment and advises the medical center staff in maintenance of the equipment and systems
• Develops the work performance specifications for a variety of service contractors - including that servicing specialized x-ray equipment
• Monitors the work of service contractors to assure that the work performance meets the needs of the medical center and conforms to the terms of the contract
• Communicates essential contract information to personnel in the using services
• Interfaces with a multiplicity of services on solving problems related to both current and past contracts
• May be called upon to perform basic managerial functions of planning - organizing - staffing - directing and controlling related to the work of employees within the Biomedical Engineering Section and coordinates their effort to achieve established objectives
• Distributes work load - assigns priorities - performs independent assessments and analyses - and recommends policy and policy changes to the Biomedical Engineering Supervisor
• Frequently - due to the nature or the work performed - no established guideline exists
• The incumbent is expected to analyze - organize - innovate - modify and adapt as necessary to carry out program objectives
• Work Schedule: Monday Friday - 7:30am - 4:00pm - subject to change based on the needs of the facility
• Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VAInsurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Available - Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 01215F - 01216F -01217F - 01218F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized