Qualifications
BASIC REQUIREMENTS
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.
Experience and Education:
Associates or higher degree in the 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 repair and maintenance of electronic systems or information technology AND 1 year of creditable experience; OR
Completion of a biomedical engineering technician or Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) certificate program that included an internship or apprenticeship;
OR
Completion of biomedical engineering technician or HTM certificate program that did not include an internship AND 1 year of creditable experience;
OR
Hold or having 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 maintenance of certification is not required throughout VHA employment.
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.
Grade Requirements for 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.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to meeting the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Skill in managing workflow by directing the work of others to accomplish program goals and objectives.
(b) Skill in developing policies to oversee medical equipment and clinical systems.
(c) Skill in managing interpersonal relationships between employees, team leaders, and managers.
(d) Skill in applying standards for safe operation of medical equipment and clinical systems including National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), the Joint Commission (TJC), and the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI).
(e) Ability to supervise subordinate staff (for example, plan, organize, delegate, direct, control, and review activities and performance).
(f) Ability to provide guidance on multiple types of medical equipment and clinical systems.
(g) Ability to analyze data to optimize quality, efficiency, performance, and productivity.
Assignment. For all supervisory assignments the BESS must spend 25% or more of their time providing administrative and technical supervisor and perform major duties above those at the FPL consist of significant scope, complexity, difficulty, and variety. Employees in this assignment serve as a Supervisory BESS at a facility that provides multi-faceted specialty care for both inpatient and outpatient services that may be delivered at a variety of sites. They exercise a full range of supervisory and personnel management authorities and responsibilities in planning, directing, and assessing the work and competence of subordinate staff. Supervisory BESSs may also perform the duties of FPL BESSs. Supervisory BESSs establish performance standards and evaluate the overall performance of employees. They define competency requirements and identify development and training needs. Supervisory BESSs take necessary actions to ensure subordinate personnel maintain and enhance technical expertise. They ensure compliance with all applicable standards, policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements. Supervisory BESSs develop, implement, and monitor the medical equipment management program. They develop program-specific policies and procedures. Supervisory BESSs oversee administrative management of resources such as budgets, staffing, purchases, and contracts. They collaborate with executive leadership, clinical, and administrative staff regarding management of medical equipment. Supervisory BESSs solicit feedback from customers to monitor the quality of the medical equipment management program. They identify, prioritize, and coordinate training through manufacturers, vendors, VISNs, national program offices, or other sources to enhance competencies of staff members. Supervisory BESSs oversee the medical device cybersecurity program. They establish workload distribution, priorities, and revise work schedules to meet workload changes. Supervisory BESSs have oversight of large-scale, complex projects involving cross-functional teams. They oversee vendor services, review work performed, and ensure defined specifications are met and documented. Supervisory BESSs oversee medical device patient safety aspects of the program including investigating and documenting equipment incidents, damage, and abuse.
Physical Requirements: Performance of the incumbent's duties can be physically demanding involving walking, sitting, bending, some standing, and long periods of intense concentration. Lifting of objects between 10 and 50 pounds is common, and on occasion lifting of heavier objects is necessary. Climbing on ladders and scaffolds is common place and contributes to the arduous nature of the job. In other situations, there may be special requirements for agility or dexterity such as exceptional hand/eye coordination. Trips to satellite outpatient clinics are required and will involve transportation via station vehicle or privately owned vehicle.