Supervisory Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist

Summary The Supervisory Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (BESS) works in support of the Biomedical Engineering Department by providing leadership, guidance and supervision among assigned employees. Additionally, the Supervisory BESS provides clinical and administrative support to staff, patients, and administrators for all matters of concern relating to the facility wide lifecycle management of medical equipment. Duties Duties of the Supervisory Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist: Lifecycle management of medical systems such as imaging, life support, dialysis, and monitoring to include physical and network support. Completes routine and complex assignments involved in the installation, maintenance, modification, troubleshooting, repair and calibration of complex therapeutic, diagnostic and life support medical devices and systems. Coordinates and works effectively with other facility support departments including Facilities Management Service (FMS), Office of Information Technology (OIT), Sterile Processing Service (SPS), and Environmental Management Service (EMS). Specific tasks include incoming inspections, regular and unscheduled maintenance, and planning for end of life replacement in conjunction with clinical services. Utilizes common test equipment including, electrical safety analyzers, oscilloscopes, patient simulators, pulse generators, network analyzers, and multimeters. Performs advanced testing and troubleshooting of medical devices and systems involving their interfaces and connections to information systems either directly or through the facility's hardwired and wireless networks. Adheres to Medical Device Isolation Architecture (MDIA) Guidelines in both pre-procurement and during system implementation. Loads operating system (OS) and clinical application software as needed. Executes VA guidelines when responding to network incident response (due to infection, loss of services or regional and local policy changes). Develops policy for the Biomedical Engineering department and local facility. Translates management goals and objectives into well-coordinated and controlled biomedical work operations. Maintains functional knowledge of relevant safety codes and standards of regulatory bodies including The Joint Commission (TJC), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI). Documents all work performed in the computerized maintenance management system (CMMS). This documentation is completed in accordance with regulatory body requirements, Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) Documentation of Services guidelines and other organizational requirements. Implements the Biomedical Section training program, in-house cross training, and vendor training, ensuring technicians are kept abreast of the changing technology as effectively as possible within the available resources. Functions as a Contracting Officer Representative (COR) and keeps appropriate certification levels. Uses knowledge of government contract procedures and documentation requirements to develop statements of work, sole source justifications, other applicable documentation (6550, Independent Government Cost Estimate (IGCE), etc.) and to oversee vendor work. Collaborates with Logistics and Contracting to procure parts and services; functions as a purchase card holder, as required. Investigates, remediates and documents recalls and safety alerts within established timeframes. Participates in local safety improvement processes such as Root Cause Analysis (RCA), safety work groups, and Environment of Care Rounds. Identifies hazards during routine job performance and takes action to ensure they are addressed and corrected. Maintains knowledge of the state of the art in medical technology, including scientific advances, network protocols, and vendor changes. Focuses on professional development in all areas of medical technology lifecycle management including technical skills. Knowledge and training is obtained from formal (conference, classes) or informal (magazines, articles, peer training) means. Provides training and education as appropriate to medical technology end users and clinical staff. Provides mentoring and technical training to peers and development graded BESS. May be tasked with leading and managing installation or upgrade projects for medical devices and systems. This includes but is not limited to pre-implementation planning and coordination with end users, vendors, and other onsite support staff (OIT, Informatics, SPS, etc.) Additional duties are performed as assigned by supervisor related to maintenance, remediation, and tracking of medical systems (action items, special projects, etc.) to meet mission critical requirements. May be asked to assist in other administrative duties as well, including participating in hiring panels. Represents Biomedical/Clinical Engineering department on committees and in meetings as delegated by supervisor Work Schedule: Monday Friday 7:00-3:30pm or 8:00-4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 91952-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized for highly qualified individuals. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized 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. Education, Experience, or Certification. 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. 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 Equipment Support Specialist, GS-13 Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade. 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)