Supervisory Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist

Summary

The Supervisory Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (BESS) works in support of the Biomedical Engineering Department by providing leadership, guidance, and supervision among assigned employees. Additionally, the Supervisory BESS provides clinical and administrative support to staff, patients, and administrators for all matters of concern relating to the facility wide lifecycle management of medical equipment.

Duties

Biomedical support requires the application of engineering and mechanical concepts and methodology to provide lifecycle management and technical support of diagnostic, therapeutic devices, monitoring, and other equipment utilized in the practice of medicine, and to improve health service delivery systems for communities and within individual VA facilities (medical centers, outpatient clinics, and domiciliary). Lifecycle management encompasses the following: technology assessment including defining requirements and analyzing alternatives with clinical users; technology acquisition including technical evaluation and best value determination of proposed equipment and systems; technology implementation including site preparation, incoming inspections, device/system integration, network device security implementation and clinical/technical training; technology sustainment including regular and unscheduled maintenance, upgrades and enhancements, continuing education; end of useful life tasks including decommissioning, data sanitization, and technical evaluation for condition prior to disposal; and strategic planning for end of life replacement in conjunction with clinical services. The BESS maintains medical equipment using established local, regional, and national policies and procedures designed to meet criteria and standards from multiple accrediting agencies and governing bodies. Duties include but, not limited to: Oversees, directs, and manages the lifecycle management of the facility's medical equipment and clinical systems. Collaborates with other departments and service lines, clinical and administrative staff, and executive leadership at the medical center, VISN, and national levels, as needed. Directs work on all aspects of medical equipment and clinical systems support to include technology assessments, acquisition, and implementation; planned and corrective maintenance; upgrades and modifications; and end of life tasks to include decommissioning, data sanitization, and technical evaluation for condition prior to disposal. Establishes workload distribution and revises work schedules to meet workload priorities, challenges, and issues. Establishes and maintains the medical equipment management program and completes annual evaluations of the program's effectiveness. Develops and implements policies and procedures to ensure compliance with established standards and regulations. Establishes and monitors metrics, and initiates performance improvement activities. Defines, evaluates, and enhances subordinate staffs competency to perform the duties and responsibilities for their respective roles. Develops individual and/or departmental training plans that address gaps in staff and departmental competencies. Develops, delivers, and evaluates performance plans for subordinate staff. Recognizes deserving staff for exceptional performance. Addresses performance problems and conduct issues in accordance with established labor union agreements, human resources guidance, and policies. Work Schedule: 8:00 am - 4:30pm, Monday - Friday. Schedule determined by facility. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00361-F 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. English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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). GS-13 Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Experience. At least one year of experience at the GS-12 grade level that demonstrates the technical competencies described at that level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. s. In addition to meeting the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Skill in managing workflow by directing the work of others to accomplish program goals and objectives. (b) Skill in developing policies to oversee medical equipment and clinical systems. (c) Skill in managing interpersonal relationships between employees, team leaders, and managers. (d) Skill in applying standards for safe operation of medical equipment and clinical systems including National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), the Joint Commission (TJC), and the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI). (e) Ability to supervise subordinate staff (for example, plan, organize, delegate, direct, control, and review activities and performance). (f) Ability to provide guidance on multiple types of medical equipment and clinical systems. (g) Ability to analyze data to optimize quality, efficiency, performance, and productivity. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is 13. Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, puling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment. Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your applic