Clarification from the agency

This job is open to current permanent Department of Veteran Affairs employees, current permanent Federal employees of other agencies and U.S. Citizens. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

The HTM Program includes healthcare technology strategic planning, pre-purchase assessment, acquisition support, project management and communication, implementation coordination, program management, process improvement, equipment management, training, and ongoing maintenance support across the enterprise. The Supervisory Biomedical Engineer provides direct oversight of the Medical Equipment Management Program (MEMP) and ensures that it meets or exceeds current Joint Commission, NFPA and other pertinent regulatory requirements. The incumbent provides professional engineering management to a complex, technically sophisticated, and service-oriented Healthcare Technology program. The incumbent establishes the overall programmatic implementation of the Medical Device Protection Program (MDPP) within the purview of nationally mandated directives for information security as designated by the Office of Healthcare Technology Management and the Office of Information and Technology (OI&T). The incumbent supports the VAPAHCS mission and HTM Program goals while operating in accordance with VAPAHCS policies, clinical policies, and standards of professional service.

Major duties and responsibilities include, but not limited to:

• Conducts a medical equipment management program that meets or exceeds current Joint Commission, NFPA and other pertinent regulatory requirements. The incumbent could be consulted as a technical expert to evaluate and review other HTM programs for the Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN).
• Manages 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. The incumbent may be required to analyze recall and safety alert programs for other medical centers and/or conduct medical equipment investigations for the VISN or National Program Office.
• Serves as an advisor to senior clinical and leadership staff on medical technology, including existing and emerging technology, addressing viability, long-term suitability, compatibility, and/or safety.
• Conducts capital asset and infrastructure planning for medical equipment spanning initial concept, installation, and effective implementation of complex medical systems. Analyzes organizational and operational problems and develops timely and economical solutions to meet facility, VISN and/or National needs.
• Serves as an institutional expert who directly supports the most complex and specialized clinical technology including service, system administration, training and quality assurance.
• Direct oversight for the programmatic implementation of the Medical Device Protection Program (MDPP) that encompasses pre-procurement assessments, medical device isolation architecture (MDIA), communication, training, validation, scanning, remediation, patching and secure remote connectivity of networked medical systems. May be required to serve as a technical expert on medical technology information security for the VISN and/or National Workgroups.
• Professional consultant and advisor on professional healthcare technology management matters to top management and high level medical and administrative staff.
• Modifies, and sets policy, procedures, standards and goals under the supervision and direction of the Chief Biomedical Engineer.
• First-line administrative, managerial, and supervisory responsibilities for Biomedical Engineers and Biomedical Equipment Support Specialists (BESS).

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 10413F
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.
• 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

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 to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).
• Education and/or Experience:
  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.

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: Supervisory Biomedical Engineer (Clinical), GS-13

Experience: In addition to the GS-13 requirements, you must have completed at least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level and must demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs):

1. Knowledge of the management of overall department resources, i.e., finances, space, equipment, supplies, and staffing at the local level.
2. Ability to draft and/or recommend local policies and/or directives related to healthcare technology management.
3. Ability to balance multiple responsibilities, set priorities, delegate tasks, meet multiple deadlines, analyze organizational problems, and develop and implement effective solutions.
4. Ability to analyze organizational and operational problems to develop and implement solutions that result in efficient operations, and use data effectively to manage workload, quality, performance, and productivity within the area of responsibility.
5. Skill in interpersonal relationships in leading and dealing with employees, team leaders, and managers, both within and outside the biomedical engineering program, to include conflict management, dispute resolution, mediation, or reasonable accommodations.

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-13.

Physical Requirements: The work is basically sedentary and accomplished while seated at a desk. Some walking, standing, bending, and lifting of items is required. There are no special physical demands. The work environment consists of a normal office setting. Frequent trips to the various VAPAHCS locations in the performance of duties is required. The primary work areas are adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required.

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.

Area of Consideration - Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order:

1. Current permanent VA employees of the facility
2. All other VA employees
3. Current permanent Federal employees of other agencies
4. All other applicants

Note: Veterans' Preference is not applicable to VA employees or employees of other Federal agencies.

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.

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)
• Other (1)
• 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.

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