Biomedical Engineer

Full Job Description

The incumbent performs as a staff Biomedical Engineer who serves as the medical technology consultant and facility medical equipment planner for the Healthcare Technology Management/Biomedical Engineering program at the VA New Mexico Medical Center, a large medical center providing primary, secondary, and tertiary services.

The incumbent supports and advances patient care by applying engineering and managerial skills to healthcare technology.

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: Biomedical Engineers must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005/12 Part II, Chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a.

Education and/or Experience: Items (1) or (2) below must be met in order to meet this requirement. (1) Bachelor's Degree or Higher in Engineering.

To be creditable, the curriculum must be from a school of engineering with at least one curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), as a professional engineering curriculum.

Examples of acceptable engineering degrees include: Biomedical Engineering, Clinical Engineering, Bioengineering, Biomechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Biochemical Engineering.

Titles may vary from educational institutions and change over time. OR, (2) Certification as a Certified Clinical Engineer (CCE) and a bachelor's degree not listed above.

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: GS-07 (Entry Level) Requirements: None beyond the basic requirements above GS-09 (Developmental Level 1) Requirements: Experience.

At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower level OR Education.

Master's degree in Biomedical Engineering, or a related field of study, as outlined under basic requirements, or Bachelor's degree, as outlined under basic requirements, plus two full years of progressively higher level graduate education in a related field of study, that demonstrates the KSAs for the GS-9 level assignment AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs).

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of the principles, theories, concepts, and practices of the Biomedical Engineering profession.

Ability to interpret relevant codes, regulations, guidelines, and standards, and make recommendations to ensure compliance with medical center programs.

Ability to understand the operational needs of clinical services in the health care system.

Ability to prepare material on current technical topics and trends, for presentation to other technical staff and mid-level hospital management, and the ability to keep abreast of changes in technology.

GS-11 (Developmental Level 2) Requirements: Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower level, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level OR Education.

Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree in Biomedical Engineering, or a related field of engineering, as outlined under basic requirements, or Bachelor's degree, plus three full years of progressively higher level graduate education in a related field of study, as outlined under basic requirements.

AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Ability to implement and/or sustain an equipment management or biomedical research program that meets The Joint Commission, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), or other applicable regulatory requirements.

Ability to develop material for a continuing education program for clinical or research staff, that address the principles and application of medical technology, and/or biomedical theory used in healthcare.

Ability to advise staff on emerging medical technology or research procedures while keeping abreast of changes in such technology, and utilizing the information to solve biomedical engineering problems.

Knowledge of basic project management principles, as applied to the healthcare setting and medical equipment, and information system implementation.

GS-12 (Full Performance Level) Requirements: Experience.

Completion of at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower level; or completion of a post-doctoral research fellowship in the field of biomedical engineering, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level.

AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Ability to conduct a medical equipment management [or biomedical research program that is compliant with applicable healthcare standards and regulatory agencies.

Ability to develop a curriculum for a continuing education program, that address the safe and effective use of medical technology, and/or research devices.

Ability to manage a recall and safety alert program for medical devices, including medical device hazard investigations, to assure compliance with patient safety goals, Safe Medical Devices Act, and The Joint Commission requirements.

Ability to conduct capital asset and infrastructure planning for medical equipment spanning initial concept, installation, and effective implementation of complex medical equipment.

Ability to function as the subject matter expert in the field of biomedical engineering, directly supporting specialized clinical technology, including service, system administration, training, quality assurance, and life-cycle management.

Ability to effectively advise clinical and administrative staff on medical technology, including existing and emerging technology, which addresses viability, long-term suitability, compatibility, and/or safety.

Knowledge of concepts related to computer based medical systems, networking protocols, and information security as it applies to medical technology within VHA.

Skill in communicating and working collaboratively with key stakeholders, including technical and professional staff at various levels of the organization.

Ability to apply project management principles to deployment of medical equipment and health information technologies.

Preferred Experience: Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) certification preferred Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-7 to GS-12.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services. Major Duties:

Major duties include: Conducts an equipment management program that meets current The Joint Commission (TJC) and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) requirements.

Assures the provision of a continuing education program for clinical staff addressing the principles and application of medical instrumentation used in the delivery of healthcare.

Manages a recall and safety alert program for medical devices, including medical device incident investigations to assure compliance with patient safety goals, Safe Medical Devices Action of 1990 (SMDA), and TJC requirements.

Advises clinical and administrative staff on medical engineering technology including existing and emerging technology addressing viability, long-term suitability, compatibility, and/or safety while keeping abreast of changes in technology and utilizing information gained in the solution of Healthcare Technology Management (HTM)/Biomedical engineering problems.

Assists with capital asset and infrastructure planning for medical equipment spanning initial concept, installation, and effective implementation of complex medical equipment, such as Clinical Information System/Anesthesia Record Keeper, Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS) and other related HTM Projects.

Functions as a subject matter expert directly supporting specialized healthcare technology including service, system administration, training, and quality assurance.

Works closely with the HTM/Biomedical Engineering Service and serves as a professional advisor, manager, and medical technology consultant to the Deputy Chief/Chief, Biomedical Engineer in the area of HTM/Biomedical engineering, as well as on other engineering principles and practices.

Serves as one of the Staff Biomedical (Clinical) Engineers and will be recognized as the technical expert and project lead for various implementations at the VA New Mexico Medical Center.

Facilitates the service support of medical equipment,. while identifying opportunities and recommending actions to improve service delivery and cost containment.

Conducts capital asset and infrastructure planning for medical equipment spanning initial concept, installation, and effective implementation of complex medical equitment.

Consults on construction projects, information technology projects, space functional changes, as associated planning with respect to medical technologies and clinical-related technologies.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am to 4:00pm Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized