Summary The Biomedical Engineer position works within the Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) Department at the Washington DC VAMC. The program includes - but is not limited to: consultation with clinical and technical staff regarding medical equipment needs and requirements - medical technology assessment - strategic planning - acquisition support - program and project management - networked medical device protection - ongoing maintenance support and quality assurance for medical equipment. 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
Citizenship
Be a citizen of the United States
(Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens) English Language Proficiency
Biomedical Engineers must be proficient in spoken and written English
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
Bachelor's degree as outlined in paragraph above or CCE certification with at least a bachelor's degree not listed Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
None beyond the basic requirements
Assignment
Employees serve in an entry level biomedical engineer career development position
It is expected that biomedical engineers at the entry level receive ongoing guidance from more experienced staff members and perform assignments under close supervision
At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower level
(Example of GS-07 Experience: Employees serve in an entry level biomedical engineer career development position.) OR Education Master's degree in Biomedical Engineering - or a related field of study - OR Bachelor's degree - plus two full years of progressively higher level graduate education in a related field of study - that demonstrates the KSAs for the GS-9 level assignment
Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs)
In addition to the experience for the GS-09 - the following KSAs are required: 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
Assignment
Biomedical Engineers - at this developmental level - require direction on more complex tasks
Employees complete technical assignments in the engineering field - under the direction of a senior biomedical engineer and will be required to rotate through - and participate in - the operations of other hospital services
At the GS-9 grade level - employees function with oversight by a supervisor for more complex assignments
At least [one] year of experience equivalent to the next lower level - [and must fully meet the KSAs at that level.] (Example of GS-09 Experience: At the GS-9 grade level - employees function with oversight by a supervisor for more complex assignments.) OR Education Ph.D. - or equivalent doctoral degree in Biomedical Engineering - or a related field of engineering - OR Bachelor's degree - plus three full years of progressively higher level graduate education in a related field of study Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs)
In addition to the experience for the GS-11 - the following KSAs are required: 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
Assignment
At the developmental level - employees function on a semi- independent basis with limited oversight by senior biomedical engineers
They participate in medical device hazard investigations - to assure compliance with patient safety goals - the Safe Medical Devices Act (SMDA) - TJC requirements - and assist in the development of an equipment management program at the medical center
Employees may lead medical technology deployments - directly support medical equipment - or participate in research projects
Completion of at least [one] year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower level (Example of GS-11 Experience: employees function on a semi- independent basis with limited oversight by senior biomedical engineers
They participate in medical device hazard investigations - to assure compliance with patient safety goals - the Safe Medical Devices Act (SMDA) - TJC requirements - and assist in the development of an equipment management program at the medical center
Employees may lead medical technology deployments - directly support medical equipment - or participate in research projects.)
OR completion of a post-doctoral research fellowship in the field of biomedical engineering - and must fully meet the KSAs at that level
Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs)
In addition to the experience for the GS-12 - the following KSAs are required: 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.
Duties
Duties include but are not limited to: Uses basic engineering principles to provide limited professional - healthcare technology management services for the medical center
Projects or assignments typically include facility-based work - and may include assisting with VISN or National HTM projects
Continually learns new technology - identifies trends - and utilizes the information to solve biomedical engineering problems
Assists in lifecycle management of medical equipment and clinical systems
Participates in technology assessment of medical equipment systems by working collaboratively with clinical staff to evaluate market offerings - determine medical center requirements - design system configurations - and develop technical specifications
Works collaboratively with Contracting staff to procure medical equipment and maintenance that best meets clinical needs - to include evaluating technical proposals and contributing to price negotiations
Assists and/or coordinates implementation of medical technology including assessing installation and site preparation requirements - managing project timelines - monitoring installation - and facilitating training for equipment operators and maintainers
Participates on medical center construction projects - space functional changes - and associated planning with respect to HTM-supported technologies - including site preparation for medical equipment - non- recurring maintenance projects - and minor construction projects
Assists with remediation and documentation of hazard alerts and recall notifications concerning medical equipment impacting the facility
Supports a medical equipment management program that allows the DC VAMC to meet the requirements set by accrediting organizations such as The Joint Commission (T-JC)
Assists in troubleshooting medical equipment and clinical systems using a variety of technical data and corrective action practices
Utilizes basic networking concepts - such as computer and server hardware and software used in conjunction with medical devices and clinical systems
Demonstrates the ability to analyze organizational and operational problems involving medical equipment - and recommend timely and economical solutions accordingly
Assists with analyzing and recommending optimal maintenance strategies for medical equipment and systems - to include cost-benefit evaluation of out-sourcing versus in-house support
Assists with preparing quality assurance monitoring reports and standard operational procedures
Assists in the development/review of medical center policy memoranda
Documents all work in the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS)
Provides customer support to staff - evaluates issues and needs - responds with solutions - and keeps customers abreast of status
Complies with all applicable standards - policies - procedures - and regulatory requirements
Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 8am-4:30pm EST Telework: Not Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Functional Statement #:688-25119-F - 688-25120-F - 688-25121-F - 688-25122-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized