Supervisory Biomedical Engineer (Clinical)

As a Supervisory Biomedical Engineer for VA Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS), this position provides professional engineering management to a complex, technically sophisticated, and service-oriented Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) Program. The Supervisory Biomedical Engineer supports and advances patient care under the direction of the Chief Biomedical Engineer by applying engineering and administrative skills to healthcare technology

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: The HTM Program includes healthcare technology strategic planning, pre-purchase assessment, acquisition support, project management and communication, implementation coordination, program management, process improvement, equipment management, training, and ongoing maintenance support across the enterprise. The Supervisory Biomedical Engineer provides direct oversight of the Medical Equipment Management Program (MEMP) and ensures that it meets or exceeds current Joint Commission, NFPA and other pertinent regulatory requirements. The incumbent provides professional engineering management to a complex, technically sophisticated, and service-oriented Healthcare Technology program. The incumbent establishes the overall programmatic implementation of the Medical Device Protection Program (MDPP) within the purview of nationally mandated directives for information security as designated by the Office of Healthcare Technology Management and the Office of Information and Technology (OI&T). The incumbent supports the VAPAHCS mission and HTM Program goals while operating in accordance with VAPAHCS policies, clinical policies, and standards of professional service.

Major duties and responsibilities include, but not limited to:

Conducts a medical equipment management program that meets or exceeds current Joint Commission, NFPA and other pertinent regulatory requirements. The incumbent could be consulted as a technical expert to evaluate and review other HTM programs for the Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN).

Manages a recall and safety alert program for medical devices, including medical device incident investigations to assure compliance with patient safety goals, SMDA and Joint Commission requirements. The incumbent may be required to analyze recall and safety alert programs for other medical centers and/or conduct medical equipment investigations for the VISN or National Program Office.

Serves as an advisor to senior clinical and leadership staff on medical technology, including existing and emerging technology, addressing viability, long-term suitability, compatibility, and/or safety.

Conducts capital asset and infrastructure planning for medical equipment spanning initial concept, installation, and effective implementation of complex medical systems. Analyzes organizational and operational problems and develops timely and economical solutions to meet facility, VISN and/or National needs.

Serves as an institutional expert who directly supports the most complex and specialized clinical technology including service, system administration, training and quality assurance.

Direct oversight for the programmatic implementation of the Medical Device Protection Program (MDPP) that encompasses pre-procurement assessments, medical device isolation architecture (MDIA), communication, training, validation, scanning, remediation, patching and secure remote connectivity of networked medical systems. May be required to serve as a technical expert on medical technology information security for the VISN and/or National Workgroups.

Professional consultant and advisor on professional healthcare technology management matters to top management and high level medical and administrative staff.

Modifies, and sets policy, procedures, standards and goals under the supervision and direction of the Chief Biomedical Engineer.

First-line administrative, managerial, and supervisory responsibilities for Biomedical Engineers and Biomedical Equipment Support Specialists (BESS).

Work Schedule : Monday - Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm

Telework : Not available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement # : 10413F

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives : Not authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): 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 : Biomedical Engineers must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).

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. Titles may vary from educational institutions and change over time. OR

Certification as a Certified Clinical Engineer (CCE) and a bachelor's degree not listed in item 3.b.(1) above.

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 : Supervisory Biomedical Engineer (Clinical), GS-13

Experience : In addition to the GS-13 requirements, you must have completed at least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level and must demonstrate the foll o wing knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) :

Knowledge of the management of overall department resources, i.e., finances, space, equipment, supplies, and staffing at the local level.

Ability to draft and/or recommend local policies and/or directives related to healthcare technology management.

Ability to balance multiple responsibilities, set priorities, delegate tasks, meet multiple deadlines, analyze organizational problems, and develop and implement effective solutions.

Ability to analyze organizational and operational problems to develop and implement solutions that result in efficient operations, and use data effectively to manage workload, quality, performance, and productivity within the area of responsibility.

Skill in interpersonal relationships in leading and dealing with employees, team leaders, and managers, both within and outside the biomedical engineering program, to include conflict management, dispute resolution, mediation, or reasonable accommodations.

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-13.

Physical Requirements: The work is basically sedentary and accomplished while seated at a desk. Some walking, standing, bending, and lifting of items is required. There are no special physical demands. The work environment consists of a normal office setting. Frequent trips to the various VAPAHCS locations in the performance of duties is required. The primary work areas are adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required. SALARY: QuantitativeValue EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Other