The Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (Intensive Care) Serves as a Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (BESS) specialized in intensive care, high-risk, or surgical equipment 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 life-support, high-risk surgical, or intensive care medical equipment and clinical systems.
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 in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Education, Experience, or Certification: (1) Associates or higher degree in the biomedical technology or biomedical engineering field OR, (2) Associates or higher degree in electronics, a field of information technology, or engineering (other than biomedical engineering) AND 1 year of creditable experience. OR, (3) Completion of the Department of Defense (DOD) biomedical equipment technician training program. OR, (4) Completion of a DOD training program in repair and maintenance of electronic systems or information technology AND 1 year of creditable experience. OR, (5) Completion of a biomedical engineering technician or Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) certificate program that included an internship or apprenticeship. OR, (6) Completion of biomedical engineering technician or HTM certificate program that did not include an internship AND 1 year of creditable experience. OR, (7) 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. ****NOTE: All Experience and KSAs MUST be well documented and detailed in resume to qualify for the position. **** Grade Determinations: GS-12 BIOMEDICAL EQUIPMENT SUPPORT SPECIALIST (INTENSIVE CARE) EXPERIENCE: One (1) year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade GS-11. AND, Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate MUST demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 1. Knowledge of HL7 and DICOM standards. 2. Skill in applying 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. 3. Skill in operating test equipment for specialized high-risk, surgical, or intensive care medical equipment such as ventilator testers, mechanical lungs, and anesthetic gas monitors. 4. Skill in maintaining specialized high-risk, intensive care, or surgical equipment such as ventilators, heart-lung bypass, anesthesia, and intra-aortic balloon pumps. 5. Skill in performing advanced testing to troubleshoot specialized networked medical equipment and clinical system interfaces. 6. Ability to resolve complex failures on specialized 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-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: Employee will continually handle objects weighing up to 20 lbs. and occasionally objects up to 50 lbs. Occasionally work will be performed in cramped and awkward positions. The work also requires frequent periods of standing and walking. Position requires operating a motor vehicle to service equipment at locations off campus, including transport of objects. The position constantly operates a computer, tools, and diagnostic test equipment to perform assigned duties. Technical, academic, and mental demands are considerable. The work performed is of a precise nature requiring prolonged concentration. The incumbent will often work under conditions of stress caused by the nature of the medical mission which involves the well-being of the patients and the necessity to meet deadlines.
FUNCTIONS OR SCOPES OF PRACTICE: Performs manufacturer-level maintenance on life-support, high-risk surgical, or intensive care medical equipment and clinical systems. Manages network systems, databases, and interfaces on life-support, high-risk surgical, or intensive care medical equipment and clinical systems. Coordinates and implements cybersecurity measures and disaster recovery plans. Manages the planning, acquisition, and installation of life-support, high-risk surgical, or intensive care medical equipment and clinical systems. Serves as a subject matter expert on assigned committees, projects, and workgroups. 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. 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. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 7:00am to 3:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 06392F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized