***This vacancy is open to All U.S. Citizens***
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:
a. Citizenship: Citizen of the United States. After a determination is made that it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens, necessary personnel may be appointed on a temporary basis under authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405 without regard to the citizenship requirements of 38 U.S.C. 7402 or any other law prohibiting the employment of or payment of compensation to a person who is not a citizen of the United States. Candidates must meet all other requirements for the grade and position concerned.
b. English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Policy.
c. 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.
d. Licensure/Certification/Registration. None
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).
e. Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA as a BESS on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education that is part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:
(1) Such employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journeyman) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.
(2) BESSs 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) BESSs initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.
(4) Employees who are retained as a BESS under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry as a BESS.
Grade Determinations, GS-1601-13:
In addition to the Basic Requirements, the following qualification criteria must be met for each grade. The candidate's qualifications must clearly demonstrate the level of competence required for the GS-13 grade level:
(1) Experience. At least one year of experience at the GS-12 grade level that demonstrates the technical competencies described at that level.
(2) 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:
(i) 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.
(ii) Ability to develop policy; manage medical equipment life-cycle processes; and provide workload analysis in Healthcare Technology Management operations.
(iii) Ability to translate management goals and objectives into well-coordinated and controlled biomedical work operations.
(iv) 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.
Preferred Experience: Certification as a Certified Biomedical Equipment Technician (CBET),
(3) Assignments. 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 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 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 HTM 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.
References: VA Handbook 5005/95 Part II Appendix G49 VA Qualification Standard, Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist , GS-1601-13, http://vaww.va.gov/OHRM/Directives-Handbooks/Documents/5005.pdf. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office.
Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. Incumbent must be able to stoop, reach, kneel, crouch, and maintain intense concentration for long periods of time under most adverse conditions, such as troubleshooting, repairing and/or calibrating life-saving equipment while it is monitoring and/or supporting the life of a patient. Heavy lifting (over 40 lbs) can be accomplished by getting assistance when needed. Circuit repairs required adequate eyesight and dexterity for working on high-density boards.