Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (Patient Care)

Summary

Serves as a Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (BESS) within a Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) department at VA Puget Sound Health Care System. Works in support of the medical equipment management program. Troubleshoots and performs planned maintenance on a range of medical devices, patient care equipment and clinical systems.

Duties

The duties listed are GS-11 Full Performance Level, GS-5, GS-7, and GS-9 duties will differ in complexity and level of supervision. Manages the lifecycle of medical equipment, patient care equipment and clinical systems. Troubleshoots medical equipment, patient care equipment and clinical systems using a variety of technical data and completes corrective action. Performs incoming inspections and planned maintenance on medical equipment, patient care 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. Monitors system backups, ensures network connectivity, mitigates cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and maintains clinical systems. Utilizes test equipment in accordance with manufacturer instructions. Manages projects involving medical equipment, patient care equipment and clinical systems. Provides customer support to staff, evaluates issues and needs, responds with solutions, and keeps customers abreast of status. Educates staff on the safe operation and user-level maintenance of medical equipment and clinical systems. Serves as a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) and/or purchase card holder. 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 additional duties as directed by supervisor or designee related to maintenance, remediation, and tracking of medical systems (action items, special projects, etc.) to meet mission critical requirements. Represents HTM department on committees and in meetings as delegated by supervisor. Driving to Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) and Domiciliary in government owned vehicle (GOV), SUV, box truck, sedan, to perform scheduled and unscheduled maintenance. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30am-4:00pm Telework: Not available.Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 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. 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. 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 the basic requirements for employment, candidates must meet the following grade-determining criteria for placement at grade levels specified. Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist, GS-05 (1) Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements. Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist, GS-07 (1) Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade. (2) Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:(a) Knowledge of physics, anatomy, and physiology. (b) Knowledge of electronics such as analog, digital, and microprocessor theory. (c) Knowledge of the use of standard level test equipment such as multi-meters, electrical safety analyzers, patient simulators, storage oscilloscopes, manometers, and tachometers. (d) 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). (e) Skill in documenting all services provided in support of medical equipment and clinical systems in a computerized maintenance management system. (f) Ability to learn equipment operating and maintenance procedures. Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist, GS-09 (1) Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade. (2) Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:(a) Knowledge of basic networking concepts including Access Control List (ACL), Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), and Virtual Local Area Networks (VLAN). (b) Knowledge of computer and server hardware and software functionality including virus protection, operating system patches and upgrades, and information security tools. (c) Ability to interpret a variety of technical data such as schematic drawings, wiring diagrams, table charts, mathematical expressions, and formulas. (d) Ability to use standard level test equipment including multi-meters, electrical safety analyzers, patient simulators, storage oscilloscopes, manometers, and tachometers. (e) Ability to perform equipment maintenance and operating procedures. Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist, GS-11 (1) Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade. (2) Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:(a) 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. (b) Skill in using test and calibration equipment including digital multi-meters, electrical safety analyzers, defibrillator analyzers, patient simulators, manometers, tachometers, and Local Area Network (LAN) analyzers. (c) Skill in interpreting a variety of technical data including schematic drawings and wiring diagrams. (d)