Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist Job in Colorado Springs, CO

Vacancy No. CBSU-12722854-25-SM Department Veterans Health Administration
Salary $41,396.00 to $98,653.00 Grade 5 to 11
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 4/23/2025 Close Date 5/2/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Colorado Springs, CO


Summary

The Eastern Colorado Health Care System VA Hospital is currently recruiting for one GS-5 target 11 Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist-BESSs.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

This is an EXTERNAL job announcement open to the public. Current, permanent Department of VA employees and other current, permanent federal employees MUST apply to INTERNAL job announcement number CBSU-12722855-25-SM.

Duties

The full performance level of the Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist-BESS duties include, but aren't limited to the following:

Manages the lifecycle of medical equipment and clinical systems.
Troubleshoots medical equipment and clinical systems using a variety of technical data and completes corrective action.
Performs incoming inspections and planned maintenance on medical 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 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 Contacting 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.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 7:30am - 4pm, work hours are somewhat negotiable, however position is subject to on-call/call backs during evenings, nights, weekends & holidays as needed to support operations of a 24/7 facility & its associated CBOCs.
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: PD51730,51731,51732,50638-A
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Requirements

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.
  • You may be required to serve a probationary period.
  • Subject to background/security investigation.
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
  • 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).

Qualifications

Applicants pending educational requirements completion may be referred & tentatively selected but can't be hired until all requirements are met

Basic Requirements
  • US Citizenship Non-citizens may only be appointed when you can't recruit qualified citizens
  • English Language Proficiency Must be able to speak & write English
  • Education, Experience or Certification
  • Associates or higher degree in biomedical technology or biomedical engineering field
  • OR
  • Associates or higher degree in electronics, a field of information technology, or engineering, other than biomedical engineering AND 1 year of creditable experience
  • OR
  • Completion of the Department of Defense, DOD biomedical equipment technician training program
  • OR
  • Completion of a DOD training program in electronic systems repair & maintenance or information technology AND 1 year of creditable experience
  • OR
  • Completion of biomedical engineering technician or Healthcare Technology Management, HTM certificate program that included internship or apprenticeship
  • OR
  • Completion of biomedical engineering technician or HTM certificate program that didn't include internship AND 1 year creditable experience
  • OR
  • Hold or 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 certification maintenance isn't required throughout VHA employment
Grandfathering Provision Employees in VHA in this occupation, under a permanent, appropriate, and legal placement on the effective date of the qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade and assignment held including positive education and certification. For employees who do not meet all the basic or assignment-specific requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed, the following provisions apply:

1) Employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or be changed to a lower grade within the occupation, but they may not be promoted beyond the journey level or be newly placed in supervisory or managerial positions
2) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard
3) Employees retained in this occupation under this provision who subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re-entry to the occupation

Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials

Grade Determinations Following criteria must be met when determining candidate's grade in addition to basic requirements for employment

GS-5 Experience/Education None beyond basic requirements

GS-7 Experience At least 1 year experience equivalent to GS-5 grade level

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills & Abilities, KSAs Candidate must demonstrate all following KSAs in addition to above experience

1) Knowledge of physics, anatomy & physiology
2) Knowledge of electronics such as analog, digital & microprocessor theory
3) Knowledge of the use of standard level test equipment such as multi-meters, electrical safety analyzers, patient simulators, storage oscilloscopes, manometers & tachometers
4) Knowledge of basic networking concepts, e.g. computer & server hardware and software functionality, information technologies & computer virus protection software, available software patches & upgrades, and information security tools, e.g. Microsoft Office, Windows operating systems & McAfee
5) Skill in documenting all services provided in support of medical equipment & clinical systems in computerized maintenance management system
6) Ability to learn equipment operating & maintenance procedures

GS-9 Experience At least 1 year experience equivalent to GS-7 grade level

Demonstrated KSAs Candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs in addition to above experience

1) Knowledge of basic networking concepts including Access Control List, ACL, Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol, TCP/IP & Virtual Local Area Networks, VLAN
2) Knowledge of computer & server hardware & software functionality including virus protection, operating system patches & upgrades & information security tools
3) Ability to interpret a variety of technical data such as schematic drawings, wiring diagrams, table charts, mathematical expressions & formulas
4) Ability to use standard level test equipment including multi-meters, electrical safety analyzers, patient simulators, storage oscilloscopes, manometers & tachometers
5) Ability to perform equipment maintenance & operating procedures

GS-11

Experience One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade

Demonstrated KSAs Candidate must demonstrate all following KSAs plus above experience

1) Knowledge of standards including National Fire Protection Association, NFPA, Food & Drug Administration, FDA, The Joint Commission, TJC & the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation, AAMI for safe operation of medical equipment & clinical systems
2) Skill in using test & calibration equipment including digital multi-meters, electrical safety analyzers, defibrillator analyzers, patient simulators, manometers, tachometers & Local Area Network, LAN analyzers
3) Skill in interpreting a variety of technical data including schematic drawings & wiring diagrams
4) Skill in applying networking principles, e.g. Access Control List, ACL, Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol, TCP/IP & Virtual Local Area Networks, VLAN
5) Ability to perform advanced testing to troubleshoot medical equipment & clinical system interfaces
6) Ability to maintain medical computers & software
7) Ability to manage projects involving medical equipment & clinical systems

Preferred Experience At least 2 years of Hospital Setting as a BESS. If certified please provide CBET certification.

Reference Please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/ for more information on this qualification standard

Vacancy full performance level is GS-11. Applicants may be selected for grades GS-5 to GS-11 for this vacancy

Physical Requirements

Subject to stressful situations
Must be able to be calm & professional
Maybe exposed to noxious chemicals, contagious diseases, radiation & infections
Continual exposure to hazardous conditions involving lethal operating voltages, rotating machinery & high pressures/vacuums
Requires constant adherence to safe work habits & proper use of personal protective equipment
Required to walk, sit & stand for long time periods
Frequent benchwork requires precision & good concentration w/ proper hand-eye coordination
Some climbing & working on ladders
Must be able to lift objects up to 50 lbs
Must escort on site contractors for equipment installations, often climbing several flights of stairs & coordinating between buildings
Work is primarily inside constructed areas w/ heating & ventilation but for safety reasons some areas don't have heat &/or ventilation
May be exposed to extremely high electrical voltages volts & currents which when not properly addressed could result in severe injury up to & including death
May receive bruises/burns caused by electric shock & hot components
May be exposed to patient bodily fluids
May be required to work on equipment used in surgical operations requiring proper attire & cleanliness

Qualification Requirements continued in Additional Information section

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Transcripts must include your name, the school's entire name, can be unofficial transcripts, must have the name of the course, date course taken, grade received for the course, amount of credits earned for the course, date degree conferred, name of degree received.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Additional information

Qualification requirements continued

Physical Requirements continued

Must possess & maintain valid state driver's license to provide coverage, repair & transport biomedical equipment for ECHCS facility & associated CBOCs

End of Qualifications section

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual, Vacation Leave:Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate 4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period, based on number of years they served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used to determine rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested & approved prior to appointment date & isn't guaranteed

During application process you may have an option to opt-in & make your resume available to hiring managers in VHA who have similar positions. Opting in doesn't impact your application for this announcement or guarantee consideration for other positions

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies

This position is in Excepted Service & doesn't confer competitive status

VA encourages persons w/ disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38 & aren't covered by Schedule A excepted appointment authority

Please contact Agency Contact listed on this Job Opportunity Announcement if you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents

Under Fair Chance to Compete Act, Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more details about Act & complaint process visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

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.

Required Documents

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

  • Resume
  • 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 (Schedule A)
  • Disability Letter (VA)
  • If applicable, must upload, copy of DOD training program if using DOD training to meet basic qualification requirements
  • If applicable, must upload, copy of completion of a biomedical engineering technician or Healthcare Technology Management, HTM certificate program that included an internship or apprenticeship (or not), if using to meet basic qualification requirements
  • If applicable, must upload, copy of Certified Biomedical Equipment Technician, CBET, Certified Radiology Equipment Specialist, CRES, Certified Laboratory Equipment Specialist, CLES, or Certified Healthcare Technology Manager, CHTM, certification(s) if using to meet basic qualification requirements
  • 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.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 05/02/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12722854.

  1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
  2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.

NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

Agency contact information

VISN 19 HR Contact Center
Address
VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System
1700 N Wheeling St
Aurora, CO 80045
US

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.

NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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