Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist

Summary The Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (BESS) serves within Clinical Engineering/Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) and supports the lifecycle management of medical equipment and clinical systems used throughout the healthcare facility. Duties The Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist performs duties in support of the medical equipment management program. Duties increase in complexity and independence as the employee progresses through the developmental levels to the full-performance level. Major duties include but are not limited to: Assists with and, at the full-performance level, manages the lifecycle of medical equipment and clinical systems, including acquisition, implementation, maintenance, upgrades, and disposition. Troubleshoots medical equipment and clinical systems using technical data and performs appropriate corrective actions. Performs planned maintenance and incoming inspections of medical equipment and clinical systems. Documents maintenance, repairs, inspections, and other work activities in the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS). Assists with or responds to hazard alerts, recalls, and incidents involving medical equipment and clinical systems and documents corrective actions. Utilizes networking concepts and supports computer hardware, server hardware, software, and network connectivity associated with medical devices and clinical systems. Uses test equipment in accordance with manufacturer instructions and established procedures. Provides technical and customer support to clinical and administrative staff by evaluating equipment issues, identifying solutions, and communicating status. Educates staff regarding the safe operation and user-level maintenance of medical equipment and clinical systems. Ensures work is performed in accordance with applicable policies, procedures, regulatory requirements, and accreditation standards. At higher developmental and full-performance levels, supports cybersecurity requirements, system backups, equipment projects, procurement activities, and vendor/contractor services. At the full-performance level, may serve as a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) and/or purchase card holder and provide technical guidance and mentorship to less experienced staff. Work Schedule: Full Time; Monday

• Friday; 8 AM
• 4:30 PM Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 14133F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): 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. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).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: Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist, GS-05: Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements. Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist, GS-07: Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of physics, anatomy, and physiology. Knowledge of electronics such as analog, digital, and microprocessor theory. Knowledge of the use of standard level test equipment such as multi-meters, electrical safety analyzers, patient simulators, storage oscilloscopes, manometers, and tachometers. Knowledge of basic networking concepts, such as computer and server hardware and software functionality, information technologies and computer virus protection software, available software patches and upgrades, and information security tools (for example, Microsoft Office, Windows operating systems, and McAfee). Skill in documenting all services provided in support of medical equipment and clinical systems in a computerized maintenance management system. Ability to learn equipment operating and maintenance procedures Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist, GS-09: Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of basic networking concepts including Access Control List (ACL), Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), and Virtual Local Area Networks (VLAN). Knowledge of computer and server hardware and software functionality including virus protection, operating system patches and upgrades, and information security tools. Ability to interpret a variety of technical data such as schematic drawings, wiring diagrams, table charts, mathematical expressions, and formulas. Ability to use standard level test equipment including multi-meters, electrical safety analyzers, patient simulators, storage oscilloscopes, manometers, and tachometers. Ability to perform equipment maintenance and operating procedures Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist, GS-11: Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of standards including National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Joint Commission (TJC), and the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) for safe operation of medical equipment and clinical systems. Skill in using test and calibration equipment including digital multi-meters, electrical safety analyzers, defibrillator analyzers, patient simulators, manometers, tachometers, and Local Area Network (LAN) analyzers. Skill in interpreting a variety of technical data including schematic drawings and wiring diagrams. Skill in applying networking principles, such as Access Control List (ACL), Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), and Virtual Local Area Networks (VLAN). Ability to perform advanced testing to troubleshoot medical equipment and clinical system interfaces. Ability to maintain medical computers and software. Ability to manage projects involving medical equipment and clinical systems. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA