Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

The major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Serves as the biomedical point of contact and assist with implementation of medical technology, including site preparation requirement assessment, project activities and timeliness, and training of equipment operators and maintenance staff.
• Ensures the provision of safe, reliably maintained, and clinically appropriate medical equipment for the delivery of quality healthcare in a cost-effective manner.
• Assures that all medical equipment recalls, and hazard alerts are managed and acted upon as appropriate and equipment related safety enhancements are implemented as instructed.
• Assists in assuring that all medical equipment recalls, and hazard alerts are managed and acted upon as appropriate and equipment related safety enhancements are implemented as instructed.
• Collaborates with facility leadership, clinical program managers, key stakeholders, and other VISN and national Biomedical Engineers/managers in order to facilitate technical and administrative aspects of the projects as assigned and appropriate.
• Serves as the biomedical subject matter expert (SME) on the implementation of medical technology in the areas of high cost/high-tech medical technology, including site preparation requirement assessment, project activities and timeliness, and training of equipment operators and maintenance staff.
• Participates in medical technology management and equipment procurement processes including the administration and technical oversight of service contracts, as well as contributes to price negotiations, to ensure proper equipment functionality.
• Provides biomedical engineering and project management support for capital asset and infrastructure planning of complex medical equipment during the purchase, planning, construction design review, installation, and in-service training stages of medical equipment projects such as cardiac catheterization laboratories, radiology suites and computer systems software.
• Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday, 07:30am to 4:00pm

Telework: Not Available
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
Preferred Experience: Specialized expertise in areas such as Medical Device Isolation Architecture (MDIA) and Specialized Device Isolation Architecture (SDIA), networked equipment (i.e., VM servers, databases, etc.), network security and vulnerability patches, server and system backups, Access Control Lists (ACLs), and interfacing medical devices with EMR is highly desirable.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

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 and/or Experience: 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) and a bachelor's degree not listed in item above.
• English Language Proficiency. Biomedical Engineers must be proficient in spoken and written English.

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, the following criteria must be met for this position.
GS-07: Basic education 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.

GS-09: At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower level. This experience must demonstrate the knowledge skills and abilities listed below.
OR,
Master's degree in Biomedical Engineering, or a related field of study outlined in the basic requirements.
OR,
Bachelor's degree outlined in the basic requirements, plus two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education in a related field of study.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

1. Knowledge of the principles, theories, concepts, and practices of the Biomedical Engineering profession.
2. Ability to interpret relevant codes, regulations, guidelines, and standards, and make recommendations to ensure compliance with medical center programs.
3. Ability to understand the operational needs of clinical services in the health care system.
4. 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.

OR, OR,
Bachelor's degree, plus three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education in a related field of study, as outlined in the basic requirements.
Demonstrate Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Knowledge of basic project management principles, as applied to the healthcare setting and medical equipment, and information system implementation.
4. 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.

GS-12: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower level; or completion of a post-doctoral research fellowship in the field of biomedical engineering and must fully meet the KSAs at that level.

1. Ability to conduct a medical equipment management or biomedical research program that is compliant with applicable healthcare standards and regulatory agencies.
2. Ability to develop a curriculum for a continuing education program, that address the safe and effective use of medical technology, and/or research devices.
3. 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.
4. Ability to conduct capital asset and infrastructure planning for medical equipment spanning initial concept, installation, and effective implementation of complex medical equipment.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Knowledge of concepts related to computer based medical systems, networking protocols, and information security as it applies to medical technology within VHA.
8. Skill in communicating and working collaboratively with key stakeholders, including technical and professional staff at various levels of the organization.
9. Ability to apply project management principles to deployment of medical equipment and health information technologies.

Assignment. At the full performance level, employees work under general supervision, with wide latitude to exercise independent judgment. Drawing upon extended professional and technical experience, employees demonstrate an intimate understanding of complex clinical and biomedical subject matter.

References: VA Handbook 5005/104, Part II, Appendix G38, Biomedical Engineer Qualification Standard, GS-0858, Veterans Health Administration.

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-07 to GS-12.

Physical Requirements: The work may require regular and recurring physical exertion, involving standing for prolonged periods of time, lifting/carrying of items weighing up to 40 pounds, and bending/stooping.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume

Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field.

Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field.

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Other (1)
• PCS Orders
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

Next steps