The Biomedical Engineer reports to Healthcare Technology Management within the Clinical Engineering Service at the Miami VA Healthcare System in Miami, FL.
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 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 Policy. English Language Proficiency. Biomedical Engineers must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance to VA policy. Education and/or Experience. The individual must meet either item (1) or (2) below to meet this requirement: 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) -Submit Documentation 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: In addition to meeting the basic requirements stated above, the following qualifications criteria must be met in determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates. Biomedical Engineer, GS-7 (Entry Level) Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. Education. Bachelor's degree as outlined in the announcement or the education question above or CCE certification with at least a bachelor's degree not listed below. Biomedical Engineer, GS-9 (Developmental Level 1) Experience. At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower level. OR, Education Master's degree in Biomedical Engineering, or a related field of study as outlined below, OR Bachelor's degree, as outlined below, plus two full years of progressively higher level graduate education in a related field of study, provided the applicant's total background demonstrates the KSAs for the GS-9 level assignment. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of the principles, theories, concepts, and practices of the Biomedical Engineering profession. [Ability to interpret relevant codes, regulations, guidelines, and standards, and make recommendations to ensure compliance with medical center programs. Ability to understand the operational needs of clinical services in the health care system. Ability to prepare material on current technical topics and trends, for presentation to other technical staff and mid-level hospital management, and the ability to keep abreast of changes in technology. Biomedical Engineer, GS-11 (Developmental Level 2) Experience. At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower level, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level. OR, Education Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree in Biomedical Engineering, or a related field of engineering, as outlined below, OR Bachelor's degree, plus three full years of progressively higher level graduate education in a related field of study, as outlined below. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Ability to implement and/or sustain an equipment management or biomedical research program that meets The Joint Commission (TJC), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), or other applicable regulatory requirements.] Ability to develop material for a continuing education program for clinical or research staff, that address the principles and application of medical technology, and/or biomedical theory used in healthcare. Ability to advise [ ] staff on emerging medical [ ] technology[, or research procedures], while keeping abreast of changes in such technology, and utilizing the information to solve biomedical engineering problems. [Knowledge of basic project management principles, as applied to the healthcare setting and medical equipment, and information system implementation.] Biomedical Engineer, GS-12 (Full Performance Level) Experience. Completion of at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower level (GS-11); or completion of a post-doctoral research Fellowship in the field of biomedical engineering, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 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, SMDA, and [TJC] 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 VHA. 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. 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. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-7 to GS-12. Physical Requirements: Position is mostly sedentary. Occasionally require duties that are physically demanding involving walking, sitting, standing, climbing ladders, crouching, crawling, stooping, reaching, kneeling and some prolonged periods of intense concentration, under adverse conditions. Lifting of objects between 10 and 40 pounds is common, and on occasion lifting of heavier objects is necessary. Trips to satellite outpatient clinics are sometimes necessary and will involve transportation via station vehicle or privately-owned vehicle.
Serves as a staff advisor to the Biomedical Engineering Supervisor/Chief in the Healthcare Technology Service 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. Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 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 health personnel in the utilization of the equipment. Provides training in the principles and procedures of operation of technical equipment for the medical, nursing, dental, administrative, engineering and other technical and professional staff to ensure that the equipment is utilized effectively and safely. This will also include training Biomedical staff on Information Technology responsibilities including but not limited to networking and will coordinate solutions to any issues that arise between OJT and the Healthcare Technology Management service. Assist 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 assists in the oversight of the patient electrical safety program for the medical center. Assists all Clinical, Nursing and Logistics Service 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 servicing specialized imaging 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 Services on solving problems related to both current and past contracts. Recommends policy and policy changes to the Biomedical Engineering Supervisor/Chief. Frequently, due to the nature of the work performed, if 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 through Friday, 7:00am - 4:30pm Functional Statement #: 32010F