Biomedical Engineer

Clarification from the agency

Open to current, U.S Citizens. Veterans Preference applies. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

Incumbent will work at the Jack C Montgomery VA Medical Center until the opening of James Mountain Inhofe VA Medical Center.

Duties Include but are not limited to:

• Performing as a project leader in defining the requirements and specifications of medical electronic systems and medical devices utilized at all healthcare sites supported under Biomedical Engineering.
• Assists in the implementation of the complex Biomedical Engineering Medical Center Program. Serves as a staff advisor to the Biomedical Engineering Supervisor/ Chief in Biomedical Engineering as well as engineering principles and practices, which relate to the area of specialization and scientific discipline, drawing from professional educational background, as well as practical experience.
• Has assigned functions as a Contracting Officer Representative and keeps appropriate certification levels. Uses Knowledge of government contract procedures and documentation requirements to develop statements of work, sole source justification, other applicable documentation (VA Form 6550, Independent Government Cost Estimates and to oversee vendor work. Collaborates with Logistics and Contracting to procure parts and services as required.
• Provides training in the principles and procedures of operation of technical equipment for the medical, nursing, dental, administrative, engineering, and other technical and professional staff to ensure that the equipment is utilized effectively and safely. This will also include training the Biomedical Engineering Section on Information Technology responsibilities including but not limited to networking and will coordinate solutions to any issues that arise between OIT and the Biomedical Engineering Section. Assist in establishing controls and procedures and monitors implementation to ensure that all electronic devices and systems, and computers related to patient care equipment are utilized efficiently and safely. Observes and critiques the use of these devices, maintaining repair services and training personnel where necessary. Evaluates the patient safety features of electrical equipment and assists in the oversight of the patient electrical safety program for the medical center.
• Recommends policy and policy changes to the Biomedical Engineering Supervisor. Frequently, due to the nature of the work performed, no established guideline exists. The incumbent is expected to analyze, organize, innovate, modify, and adapt as necessary to carry out program objectives.
• Supporting an equipment management program that meets current Joint Commission and NFPA requirements. The breadth of technology is less than is typically present at a tertiary care and/or university-affiliated institution.
• Managing a recall and safety alert program for medical devices, including medical\device incident investigations to assure compliance with patient safety goals, SMDA, and Joint Commission requirements.
• Advising clinical and administrative staff on medical engineering technology including existing and emerging technology addressing viability, long-term suitability, compatibility, and/or safety while keeping abreast of changes in technology and utilizing information gained in the solution of biomedical engineering problems.
• Assisting with capital asset and infrastructure planning for medical equipment spanning initial concept, installation, and effective implementation of complex medical equipment.
• Assisting with capital asset and infrastructure planning for medical equipment spanning initial concept, installation, and effective implementation of complex medical equipment.
• Functioning as a subject matter expert in the field of biomedical engineering who directly supports specialized clinical technology including service, system administration, training, and quality assurance at a medical center. Supports in project management for medical device installs, implementation and after-action review upon utilization at healthcare site.

Work Schedule: Monday- Friday, 8am-4:30pm
Telework: Not available
Functional Statement #: 623-55154-A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized for highly qualified applicants.
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• 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

Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

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.
• English Language Proficiency. Biomedical Engineers must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a.
• Education and/or Experience. The individual must meet either item (1) or (2) below to meet this requirement:
  • (1) 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,
  • (2) Certification as a Certified Clinical Engineer (CCE) and a bachelor's degree not listed in item 3.b.(1) above.

Grade Determinations:

Biomedical Engineer, GS-12 (Full Performance Level)

• Experience. Completion of 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.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
  • i. Ability to conduct a medical equipment management [or biomedical research program that is compliant with applicable healthcare standards and regulatory agencies.]
  • ii. Ability to develop a curriculum for a continuing education program, that address the safe and effective use of medical technology, and/or research devices.
  • iii. 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.
  • iv. Ability to conduct capital asset and infrastructure planning for medical equipment spanning initial concept, installation, and effective implementation of complex medical equipment.
  • v. 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.
  • vi. 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.
  • vii. Knowledge of concepts related to computer based medical systems, networking protocols, and information security as it applies to medical technology within VHA.
  • viii. Skill in communicating and working collaboratively with key stakeholders, including technical and professional staff at various levels of the organization.
  • ix. Ability to apply project management principles to deployment of medical equipment and health information technologies

Preferred Experience: Experience serving as a Contraction Officer's Representative (COR), or a current COR certification, in support of medical equipment or clinical service contracts. Experience developing acquisition documents such as statements of work, performance work standards, or independent cost estimates for the procurement of medical equipment. Demonstrated technical depth supporting one or more complex medical equipment modalities (e.g. diagnostic imaging, sterile processing, laboratory, dialysis or radiation oncology systems). Experience managing multiple concurrent medical equipment projects, installations, or developments while meeting competing deadlines. Highly organized and detail-oriented, with demonstrated experience managing multiple concurrent equipment projects, installations or deployments while meeting competing deadlines.

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.

Physical Requirements: Work involves standing, walking, stooping, bending, climbing stairs, and frequently working in cramped spaces for prolonged periods. The employee continually lifts from 10 to 40 pounds and occasionally objects weighing more than 40 pounds. The work also involves coping with complex, persistent demands from a variety of sources that can be regarded as a high-pressure work situation.

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.

Qualified candidates will be referred in an unranked order unless Veterans Preference rules apply. If Veterans preference apply, applicants will be referred in the following order:

1. CPS/CP
2. XP
3. TP
4. SSP
5. All others

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
• Transcript

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.

Your resume/CV must include the following information for each job listed (a determination may not be able to be made if these items are missing):

• Job title and Duties
• Month & year, start/end dated (e.g. June 2020 to April 2021)
• Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week)
• Series and Grade, if applicable

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
• Clinical CV
• Certified Clinical Engineer (CCE) certification
• 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.

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