Serves as a Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (BESS) specialized in information systems within a Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) department at a VA facility. Works in support of the medical equipment management program. In addition to duties at the full performance level, the BESS maintains medical servers and networks, diagnostic software, virtual platforms, and clinical applications software.
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). Experience and Education: 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. Licensure/Certification/Registration: 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). Grade Determinations: Grade Determination GS - 5 Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements Grade Determination GS - 7 Experience: Must have 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-5), which is directly related to the position to be filled. 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. Grade Determination GS - 9 Experience: Must have 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-7), which is directly related to the position to be filled. In addition to the experience or education 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. Grade Determination GS - 11 Experience: Must have 1 year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-9), which is directly related to the position to be filled. In addition to the experience or education 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. Preferred Experience: None other than the duties listed. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS5 to GS11. Physical Requirements: 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.
Serves as a developmental position for 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 medical devices and clinical systems under supervision. Performs increasing duties independently and receives less frequent guidance and direction. Assists in lifecycle management of medical equipment and clinical systems. Troubleshoots medical equipment and clinical systems using a variety of technical data and completes corrective action. - Performs planned maintenance on medical equipment and clinical systems. Assists with incoming inspections on medical equipment and clinical systems. Documents all work in the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS). Assists with remediation and documentation of hazard alerts and recall notifications concerning medical equipment impacting the facility. Provides customer support to staff, evaluates issues and needs, responds with solutions, and keeps customers abreast of status. Complies with applicable standards, policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements. Spends a significant amount of time working with more experienced BESS and/or 2 Biomedical Engineers to learn and develop technical and professional skills and knowledge. Troubleshoots medical equipment and clinical systems using a variety of technical data and completes corrective action. Performs planned maintenance on medical equipment and clinical systems. Assists with incoming inspections on medical equipment and clinical systems. Assists with remediation and documentation of hazard alerts and recall notifications concerning medical equipment impacting the facility. Utilizes basic networking concepts, such as computer and server hardware and software used in conjunction with medical devices and clinical systems. Utilizes test equipment in accordance with manufacturer instructions. Troubleshoots medical equipment and clinical systems using a variety of technical data and completes corrective action. Performs planned maintenance on medical equipment and clinical systems. Assists with incoming inspections on medical equipment and clinical systems. Assists with remediation and documentation of hazard alerts and recall notifications concerning medical equipment impacting the facility. Utilizes basic networking concepts in accordance with the VHA Medical Device Protection Program (MDPP), such as computer and server hardware and software used in conjunction with medical devices and clinical systems. Utilizes test equipment in accordance with manufacturer instructions. Educates staff on the safe operation and user-level maintenance of medical equipment and clinical systems. 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. Responds to and remediates hazard alerts, recall notifications, and incidents concerning medical equipment and clinical systems. Monitors system backups, ensures network connectivity, mitigates cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and maintains clinical systems. Manages projects involving medical equipment and clinical systems. Serves as a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) and/or purchase card holder. 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. The ability to educate staff on the safe operation and user-level maintenance of medical equipment and clinical systems. The ability to develop documentation to purchase commodities and/or vendor services. Experience with the management, monitoring, and evaluation of contractor performance and addressing issues or deficiencies Work Schedule: 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 05-580-02067-F, 07-580-02068-F, 09-580-02069-F, 11-580-02070-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized