Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist-Information Systems

The Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (BESS-Information Systems) works in support of the Clinical Engineering Section/Biomedical Shop by providing leadership, guidance, and supervision among assigned employees. Manages all medical systems such as imaging, life support, dialysis, and monitoring network support.

EDUCATION: Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/ . If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/ . RESPONSIBILITIES:

Duties include, but are not limited to:

Completes both routine and complex assignments involved identifying and troubleshooting issues.

Manages, troubleshoots and maintains complete systems of computerized networks, databases and servers including but not limited to biomedical information systems that store or facilitate patient information.

Implements and plans for new and emerging technologies including but not limited to diagnostic modalities, network management and storage, and virtual data centers.

Designs, implements and manages network incident response due to infection, loss of service or regional and local policy changes according to VA guidelines.

As assigned, employee is responsible for lifecycle management of any and all medical devices and systems such as imaging, life support, dialysis, and monitoring to include physical and network support.

Maintains functional knowledge of relevant safety codes and standards of regulatory bodies including but not limited to The Joint Commission (TJC), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI), American College of Radiology (ACR), Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS).

Documents all work performed in the computerized maintenance management system (CMMS).

As assigned, functions as a Contracting Officer Representative (COR) and keeps appropriate certification levels.

Investigates, remediates and documents recalls and safety alerts within established timeframes.

Maintains knowledge of the state of the art in medical technology, including scientific advances, network protocols, and vendor changes. Focuses on professional development in all areas of medical technology lifecycle management, including technical skills. Knowledge and training is obtained from formal (conference, classes) or informal (magazines, articles, peer training) means.

Provides training and education as appropriate to medical technology end users and clinical staff.

Provides mentoring and technical training to peers and development graded BESS.

May be tasked with leading and managing installation or upgrade projects for biomedical information systems, backup servers, other communication systems and other medical devices and systems.

Additional duties are performed as assigned by supervisor related to maintenance, remediation, and tracking of medical systems (action items, special projects, etc.) to meet mission critical requirements.

Represents Biomedical/Clinical Engineering department on committees and in meetings as delegated by supervisor.

Work Schedule : 7: 00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (Subject to change based on the needs of the facility)

Telework : Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement # : 01670-F

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives : Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized

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 to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).

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.

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 : Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist-Information Systems GS-12.

Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade.

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

Knowledge of Health Level 7 (HL7) and Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) standards.

Knowledge of advanced testing methods to troubleshoot networked medical equipment and clinical system interfaces.

Skill in maintaining computer and server based medical equipment, databases, and software.

Skill in managing medical equipment and clinical system projects that interface with an electronic health record or other information systems.

Skill in applying cybersecurity standards to medical devices and clinical systems such as Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA), and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) guidelines.

Ability to apply information security tools including virus protection, software updates, and operating system patches.

Ability to establish a medical network including VLAN configuration, Internet Protocol addressing, and network security.

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.

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 situation

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