Biomedical Engineer

Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. Open to all US Citizens and current permanent Federal employees of other agencies.

Duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Program Involvement and Management:
  • They receive administrative direction with assignments in terms of broadly defined missions and functions.
  • They exercise authority to oversee the overall planning, direction, and timely execution of assigned Biomedical Program activities.
  • They have responsibility for planning, designing and implementing programs, projects, studies, and other work to support healthcare technology at the Medical Center. Successful execution of these responsibilities has major impact upon the outcome of patient care delivery. Presentations may require written and oral communication as well as preparation of technical, informational, and graphical documentation.
• Technical Expertise:
  • The Biomedical Engineer is recognized as the technical expert and advisor on Biomedical Engineering issues and aids in the Biomedical Engineering support provided by Biomedical staff at the medical center.
  • They are responsible for providing assistance to the clinical staff in selection and utilization of medical equipment.
  • The Biomedical Engineer advises the management staff in the areas of high-cost and high-volume medical technology, a wide array of general biomedical technology, as well as certain medical-related technology issues.
• Medical Technology Assessment, Acquisition, and Implementation:
  • The Biomedical Engineer participates in technology assessment of medical equipment systems by working collaboratively with medical staff to evaluate market offerings, determine medical center requirements, design system configurations, and develop specifications.
  • They work collaboratively with the Contracting staff to procure medical equipment that best meets clinical needs while containing resources.
  • The Biomedical Engineer coordinates implementation of medical technology including assessing installation and site preparation requirements, managing project timelines, monitoring installation, and facilitating training of equipment operators and maintainers. While the Biomedical Engineer supports healthcare technology management primarily at the Medical Center, they occasionally support VISN initiatives as well.
• Medical Equipment Management:
  • The Biomedical Program has direct impact on all clinical services provided by the Medical Center. The program must ensure the provision of safe, reliably maintained, and clinically appropriate medical equipment for the delivery of quality healthcare in a cost-effective manner.
  • The Biomedical Engineer facilitates service support of medical equipment, identifying opportunities and recommending actions to improve service delivery, and cost containment.
  • The Biomedical Engineer supports the Medical Equipment Management component of the Environment of Care for the Medical Center, ensuring maintenance and equipment naming compliance.
  • They analyze reliability trends to guide improvement actions and planning.
• Patient Safety:
  • The Biomedical Engineer supports an equipment management program that allows the Medical Center to meet the requirements set by accrediting organizations such as the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) and the College of American Pathologists (CAP).
  • The Biomedical Engineer remains current with standards interpretation and implementation objectives.
• Infrastructure Planning:
  • The Biomedical Engineer consults on Medical Center construction projects, space functional changes, and associated planning with respect to medical technologies and medical-related technologies.
• Clinical and Technical Consultation:
  • The Biomedical Engineer provides consultation to clinical staff regarding operation, integration and safe application of new and existing medical devices.
  • They provide customer support to staff, evaluate issues and user needs, responding with solutions, and keeping customers abreast of status.
• Budgetary and Financial Management:
  • A high degree of technical judgment, initiative, originality, and resourcefulness is required to efficiently and effectively anticipate, identify, and solve unique challenges in the dynamic Medical Center environment.
• Personnel:
  • The Biomedical Engineer consults on matters pertaining to Biomedical Engineering personnel including staffing levels, recruitment, retention, performance, and education.
  • They often direct technical support staff to support effective service delivery. The Biomedical Engineer fosters and coordinates continuous staff development of Biomedical personnel.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm
Telework: Ad Hoc Emergency Telework MAY BE Authorized
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
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.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Must have valid state issued driving license
• 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. [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.]
• English Language Proficiency. Biomedical Engineers must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part.

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 [listed in paragraph 3 above], the following education and experience criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates:

Biomedical Engineer,] GS-7 [(Entry Level)

• Experience. [None beyond the basic requirements.
• Education. Bachelor's degree as outlined in paragraph 3.b.(1), above, or CCE certification with at least a bachelor's degree not listed in paragraph 3.b.(1).]
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities [. None beyond the basic requirements.

Biomedical Engineer, GS-9 [(Developmental Level 1)]

• Experience. At least [one] year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower level. OR
• Education
  • Master's degree in Biomedical Engineering, or a related field of study, as outlined in paragraph 3.b.(1). OR
  • Bachelor's degree, as outlined in paragraph 3.b.(1), 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.]
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities[. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:]
  • 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.

Biomedical Engineer,] GS-11 [(Developmental Level 2)]

• Experience. At least [one] year of experience equivalent to the next lower level, [and must fully meet the KSAs at that level.] OR
• Education
  • [Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree in Biomedical Engineering, or a related field of engineering, as outlined in paragraph 3.b.(1). OR
  • Bachelor's degree, plus three full years of progressively higher level graduate education in a related field of study, as outlined in paragraph 3.b.(1).}
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. [In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
  • 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.]

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:]
  • 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

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. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-7 to GS-12.

Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

How you will be evaluated

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

Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order:
1. Current permanent Federal employees of other agencies.
2. All other applicants based on Veterans' Preference.

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:

• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
• Transcript

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 (VA)
• License
• Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV)
• RECOMMENDED: Responses to Knowledge, Skills and Abilities - Can Be Found Under the Qualification Section of the Job Opportunity Announcement
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• 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.

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