Summary
The Supervisory Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (BESS) works in support of the Facility Management Service by providing leadership, guidance and supervision among assigned employees at the Sheridan VA Medical Center and supporting Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC's). They provide clinical and administrative support to staff, patients, and administrators for all matters of concern relating to the facility wide lifecycle management of medical and electronic equipment.
This job is open to
Clarification from the agency
This position is open to all current, permanent Federal Employees at the Sheridan VAMC, VA Nationwide Employees, and all other Federal Employees.
***If you are NOT a current, permanent Federal Employee, please apply to the public announcement CBSU-12454423-24-LML ****
Duties
Core Duties
- Performs lifecycle management of any & all medical systems such as imaging, life support, dialysis, & monitoring to include physical & network support. Completes both routine & complex assignments involved in the installation, maintenance, modification, troubleshooting, repair & calibration of these complex therapeutic, diagnostic & life support medical devices & systems. Coordinates & works effectively with other facility support departments. Utilizes common test equipment.
- Performs advanced testing & troubleshooting of medical devices & systems involving their interfaces & connections to information systems either directly or through the facility's hardwired & wireless networks.
- Performs advanced testing & troubleshooting of various electronics, digital transmission & communication equipment.
- Maintains computers & computer networks including standard network hardware, software, operating systems, standard topologies, various media types, & popular protocols & communication strategies. Manages servers to reload software in the event of a system failure, & interface with OIT locally, & at other sites.
- Develops policy for the Biomedical Engineering department, Electronics department, & local facility.
- Translates management goals & objectives into well-coordinated & controlled biomedical work operations.
- Applies relevant safety codes & standards of regulatory bodies.
- Documents all work performed in the computerized maintenance management system.
- Implements the Biomedical Section training program, in-house cross training, & vendor training.
- Functions as a Contracting Officer Representative & keeps appropriate certification levels.
- Investigates, remediates & documents recalls & safety alerts within established time frames. Participates in safety improvement processes such as Root Cause Analysis, safety work groups, & Environment of Care Rounds. Identifies hazards during routine job performance & takes action.
- Maintains knowledge of the state of the art in medical technology, including scientific advances, network protocols, & vendor changes. Focuses on professional development in all areas of medical technology including management including technical skills.
- Provides training & education as appropriate to medical technology end users & clinical staff.
- Provides mentoring & technical training to peers.
- Leads & manages installation or upgrade projects for medical devices & systems, along with various electronic building systems.
- Performs maintenance, remediation, & tracking of medical systems.
Supervisory Functions:
- Develops goals, objectives, & policy for the medical equipment management program & monitors progress.
- Provides analysis, identifies, & plans workload among subordinates in accordance with established workflow and/or job specializations.
- Assigns daily work to staff, establishing priorities based on workload related to BESS & electronic technicians & ensures that each employee has an integral role in developing the final team product.
- Advises supervisor & other management officials as necessary on status of critical medical equipment.
- Provides input to the annual budget for the unit, & monitors spending throughout the fiscal year to ensure that adequate resources are available to support mission.
- Leads the team in assessing its strengths & weaknesses & provides leadership to the team in exploring alternatives & determining what improvements can be made.
- Develops performance standards for subordinates; evaluates work performance of subordinates using work order & other relevant data.
- Gives advice, counsel, or instruction to employees on both technical & administrative matters; serves as coach & facilitator in consensus building activities among team members.
- Hears & resolves complaints from employees, referring group grievances & more serious unresolved complaints to a higher-level supervisor or manager.
- Effects minor disciplinary measures, such as warnings & reprimands, recommending other action in more serious cases.
- Identifies developmental & training needs of employees, providing or arranging for needed development & training.
- Plans for long-range staffing needs, considering changes to medical equipment inventory, medical center strategic plan, & budget.
- Interviews candidates for positions in the unit; recommends selection, appointment, promotion, or reassignment to such positions.
- Recommends awards or bonuses for subordinates, subject to approval by higher level officials, supervisors, or others.
- Approves & monitors the use of overtime and/or alternate tours needed to accomplish work.
Work Schedule: M-F 7:30am-4pm; nights, weekends, and holidays may be required.
Compressed/Flexible: Available
Telework: Not available
Virtual: Not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 59521-0
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
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.
- Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
- Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.
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.
- English Language Proficiency: Candidates will not be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C. chapters 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English. See Chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part.
- Experience and Education:
- Associates degree in Biomedical Electronics Technology, Biomedical Equipment Technology or Biomedical Engineering Technology or in a related technical field such as Electronic Technology or Information Technology and two years of experience as a Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist, Biomedical Equipment Technician, Field Service Engineer, Medical Equipment Repairer, or Information Technology Specialist.
- Or, Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Engineering Technology or in a related field such as Electronics Engineering Technology (EET) or Information Technology.
- Or, Completion of a military training program in biomedical equipment and two years of experience as a Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist or Biomedical Equipment Technician, Field Service Engineer, Medical Equipment Repairer or Information Technology Specialist. (Please provide a copy of your military transcript if claiming this option)
Grade Determination Requirements:
Supervisory Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist, GS-13
- Experience: At least one year of experience at the GS-12 grade level that demonstrates the technical competencies described at that level.
AND
- Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to meeting the KSAs at the GS-12 grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment-specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*):
- Ability to work independently to set priorities, delegate tasks, meet multiple deadlines, analyze organizational problems, and develop and implement effective solutions to optimize quality, efficiency, performance, and productivity within the service.
- Ability to develop policy; manage medical equipment life-cycle processes; and provide workload analysis in Healthcare Technology Management operations.
- Ability to translate management goals and objectives into well-coordinated and controlled biomedical work operations.
- *Ability to perform the full range of supervisory duties which would include responsibility for assignment of work to be performed; assessments of competency; evaluation of performance; selection of staff; and recommendation of awards, advancements, and when appropriate, disciplinary actions.
Assignment. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Supervisory Biomedical Engineering Support Specialists are generally found in Complexity Level 1 (High Complexity) facilities. The supervisory BESS is responsible for the supervision, administrative management, and direction of lower level BESSs. The incumbent supports the Chief Biomedical Engineer with assisting in the administrative and professional responsibilities of planning and directing the Biomedical Engineering/Healthcare Technology Management staff activities for the service or equivalent unit at an independent outpatient clinic. Incumbent may have full supervisory responsibility over a section or equivalent work unit if there is not a Biomedical Engineer at the facility. Typical duties may include: preparing work assignments, monitoring medical equipment life-cycle management performances of Biomedical Engineering/Healthcare Technology Management staff, conducting performance appraisals, and other technical and administrative responsibilities to ensure that the mission of the service and the medical center has been satisfied. The supervisor assures compliance with accrediting agency and regulatory requirements; establishes and monitors the quality of the pre-analytical processes as part of the overall Biomedical Engineering service quality management program, and assures corrective action is initiated as needed. The supervisor assures orientation and competency assessment of assigned staff. The supervisor develops policies and procedures, manages document control, develops performance standards, position descriptions and functional statements. They may be responsible for professional and administrative management of an assigned area to include budget execution. The supervisor will maintain interdepartmental relations with other services to accomplish medical center goals.
Preferred Experience: Previous Bio-medical experience with testing and troubleshooting medical devices and systems. Previous experience with testing and troubleshooting various electronics, digital transmission and communications systems.
References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/95 PART II APPENDIX G49
Physical Requirements:
Environment of Care: Follows Life Safety Management (fire protection) procedures. Reports safety hazards, accidents and injuries. Reviews hazardous materials/Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)/waste management. Follows Emergency Preparedness plan. Follows security policies/procedures. Complies with federal, state and local environmental and other requirements preventing pollution, minimizing waste, and conserving cultural and natural resources.
Infection Control: Demonstrates infection control practices for disease prevention (i.e. hand washing, universal precautions/isolation procedures, including TB requirement/precautions.
Education
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
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/.
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
- SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to 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
- Other (1)
- Other (2)
- Other (3)
- Professional Certification
- Resume
- 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.
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 07/01/2024 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12454424.
- 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.
- 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.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USA JOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
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.
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