Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist

Summary

NOTE: THE 2-PAGE RESUME REQUIREMENT DOES NOT APPLY TO THIS OCCUPATIONAL SERIES. FOR MORE INFORMATION - REFER TO REQUIRED DOCUMENTS BELOW Serves as a Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (BESS) within a Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) department at a VA facility. Works in support of the medical equipment management program. Troubleshoots and performs planned maintenance on a range of medical devices and clinical systems.

Qualifications

NOTE: THE 2-PAGE RESUME REQUIREMENT DOES NOT APPLY TO THIS OCCUPATIONAL SERIES. FOR MORE INFORMATION - REFER TO REQUIRED DOCUMENTS BELOW. To qualify for this position - applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

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 - Experience - or Certification: Associates or higher degree in the biomedical technology or biomedical engineering field
• OR Associates or higher degree in electronics - a field of information technology - or engineering (other than biomedical engineering) AND 1 year of creditable experience
• OR Completion of the Department of Defense (DOD) biomedical equipment technician training program
• OR Completion of a DOD training program in repair and maintenance of electronic systems or information technology AND 1 year of creditable experience
• OR Completion of a biomedical engineering technician or Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) certificate program that included an internship or apprenticeship
• OR Completion of biomedical engineering technician or HTM certificate program that did not include an internship AND 1 year of creditable experience
• OR Hold or having ever held certification as a Certified Biomedical Equipment Technician (CBET) - Certified Radiology Equipment Specialist (CRES) - Certified Laboratory Equipment Specialist (CLES) - or Certified Healthcare Technology Manager (CHTM)
• Continuous maintenance of certification is not required throughout VHA employment
• Foreign Education: To be creditable - education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials
• Grade Determinations: Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist - GS-05 Experience or Education: None beyond the basic requirements
• Assignment: Employees at this grade level serve as entry-level developmental BESSs
• It is expected that they receive guidance from more experienced staff members and require regular supervision
• BESSs at this grade level perform basic tasks designed to prepare them for promotion
• They troubleshoot and perform planned maintenance on general medical equipment
• Entry-level BESSs assist with incoming inspections and documentation
• Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist - GS-07 Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade
• **In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of physics - anatomy - and physiology
• Knowledge of electronics such as analog - digital - and microprocessor theory
• Knowledge of the use of standard level test equipment such as multimeters - electrical safety analyzers - patient simulators - storage oscilloscopes - manometers - and tachometers
• Knowledge of basic networking concepts - such as computer and server hardware and software functionality - information technologies and computer virus protection software - available software patches and upgrades - and information security tools (for example - Microsoft Office - Windows operating systems - and McAfee)
• Skill in documenting all services provided in support of medical equipment and clinical systems in a computerized maintenance management system
• Ability to learn equipment operating and maintenance procedures
• Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist - GS-09 Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade
• **In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of basic networking concepts including Access Control List (ACL) - Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) - and Virtual Local Area Networks (VLAN)
• Knowledge of computer and server hardware and software functionality including virus protection - operating system patches and upgrades - and information security tools
• Ability to interpret a variety of technical data such as schematic drawings - wiring diagrams - table charts - mathematical expressions - and formulas
• Ability to use standard level test equipment including multi-meters - electrical safety analyzers - patient simulators - storage oscilloscopes - manometers - and tachometers
• Ability to perform equipment maintenance and operating procedures
• Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist - GS-11 Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade
• **In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of standards including National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) - Food and Drug Administration (FDA) - the Joint Commission (TJC) - and the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) for safe operation of medical equipment and clinical systems
• Skill in using test and calibration equipment including digital multimeters - electrical safety analyzers - defibrillator analyzers - patient simulators - manometers - tachometers - and Local Area Network (LAN) analyzers
• Skill in interpreting a variety of technical data including schematic drawings and wiring diagrams
• Skill in applying networking principles - such as Access Control List (ACL) - Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) - and Virtual Local Area Networks (VLAN)
• Ability to perform advanced testing to troubleshoot medical equipment and clinical system interfaces
• Ability to maintain medical computers and software
• Ability to manage projects involving medical equipment and clinical systems
• 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-11
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-5 to GS-11
• Physical Requirements: This work requires moderating lifting and carrying (15-44lbs) - straight pulling - pulling hand over hand - pushing - reaching above shoulder - use of fingers - both hands required - walking - standing - kneeling - repeated bending - both legs required - operation of motor vehicle - ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously - far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other - both eyes required - depth perception - ability to distinguish basic and shades of colors - and hearing (aid may be permitted)
• Environmental factors are working in excessive noise - intermittent - constant noise - radiant energy - working around moving objects or vehicles - vibration - working closely with others - working alone - and occasional travel.
  
  

Duties

• Duties will vary by grade - but at the GS-11 Full Performance Level: Functions Manages the lifecycle of medical equipment and clinical systems
• Troubleshoots medical equipment and clinical systems using a variety of technical data and completes corrective action
• Performs incoming inspections and planned maintenance on medical equipment and clinical systems
• Documents all work in the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS)
• Responds to and remediates hazard alerts - recall notifications - and incidents concerning medical equipment and clinical systems
• Documents all actions in the appropriate system
• Monitors system backups - ensures network connectivity - mitigates cybersecurity vulnerabilities - and maintains clinical systems
• Utilizes test equipment in accordance with manufacturer instructions
• Manages projects involving medical equipment and clinical systems
• Provides customer support to staff - evaluates issues and needs - responds with solutions - and keeps customers abreast of status
• Educates staff on the safe operation and user-level maintenance of medical equipment and clinical systems
• Serves as a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) and/or purchase card holder
• Develops documentation to purchase commodities and/or vendor services
• Manages - monitors - and evaluates contractor performance and addresses issues or deficiencies
• Complies with applicable standards - policies - procedures - and regulatory requirements
• Provides guidance and mentorship to expand professional knowledge and enhance technical skillsets
• Maintains and enhances knowledge in technological advancements through professional development and technical training
• Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday - 8am - 4:30pm Telework: AD-HOC Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized