Biomedical Engineer

Full Job Description

This position is aligned to the Engineering Service, Biomedical Engineering Section at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL.

The Biomedical Engineer functions as a member of the Biomedical Engineering section with the responsibility to participate in maintaining and implementing a Healthcare Technology Management Program that meets or exceeds The Joint Commission, NFPA, OIG, FDA, and other applicable healthcare regulatory requirements.

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 chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. Education and/or Experience.

The individual must meet either item (1) or (2) below 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 in item 3.b.(1) above.

Biomedical Engineer, GS-7 (Entry Level) Experience. None beyond the basic requirements.

Education: Bachelor's degree as outlined in paragraph 3.b.(1), above, or CCE certification with at least a bachelor's degree not listed in paragraph 3.b. (1).

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. None beyond the basic requirements. Assignment. Employees serve in an entry level biomedical engineer career development position.

It is expected that biomedical engineers at the entry level receive ongoing guidance from more experienced staff members and perform assignments under close supervision.

Biomedical Engineer, GS-9 (Developmental Level 1) 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 in paragraph 3.b.(1).

OR, Bachelor's degree, as outlined in paragraph 3.b.(1), 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: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 1.

Knowledge of the principles, theories, concepts, and practices of the Biomedical Engineering profession. 2.

Ability to interpret relevant codes, regulations, guidelines, and standards, and make recommendations to ensure compliance with medical center programs. 3.

Ability to understand the operational needs of clinical services in the health care system. 4.

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.

Biomedical Engineer, GS-11 [(Developmental Level 2) 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 in paragraph 3.b.(1).

OR, Bachelor's degree, plus three full years of progressively higher level graduate education in a related field of study, as outlined in paragraph 3.b.(1).

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 1.

Ability to implement and/or sustain an equipment management or biomedical research program that meets The Joint Commission (TJC), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), or other applicable regulatory requirements.

2.

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.

3.

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.

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

Biomedical Engineer, GS-12 (Full Performance Level): 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.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 1.

Ability to conduct a medical equipment management or biomedical research program that is compliant with applicable healthcare standards and regulatory agencies. 2.

Ability to develop a curriculum for a continuing education program, that address the safe and effective use of medical technology, and/or research devices. 3.

Ability to manage a recall and safety alert program for medical devices, including medical device hazard investigations, to assure compliance with patient safety goals, SMDA, and TJC requirements. 4.

Ability to conduct capital asset and infrastructure planning for medical equipment spanning initial concept, installation, and effective implementation of complex medical equipment. 5.

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.

6.

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.

7. Knowledge of concepts related to computer based medical systems, networking protocols, and information security as it applies to medical technology within VHA. 8.

Skill in communicating and working collaboratively with key stakeholders, including technical and professional staff at various levels of the organization. 9.

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

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).

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-07 to GS-12. Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary Major Duties:

Uses basic engineering principles to provide limited professional, biomedical services for the institution, insofar as these services do not interfere with the attainment of objectives.

Provides professional, biomedical services for the institution, insofar as these services do not interfere with the attainment of objectives.

Assignments require judgment in adapting practices and techniques to specific situations usually through a series of related processes.

Utilizes resourcefulness and initiative in independently planning the details for the accomplishment of assignments.

Develops a personal plan for learning and continued professional development must be continually developed that will ultimately be approved by the Chief Biomedical Engineer.

The supervisor will provide specific guidance, as requested, by the trainee.

Manages the recall and safety alert program for medical devices, investigate incidents to assure compliance with patient safety goals, SMDA and TJC requirements, and act as liaison between medical center and manufacturer for concern with design, modification, application, operation, maintenance and repair programs.

Serves as a consultant to medical staff and supervisor in all areas relating to complex and specialized medical equipment.

Participates in technology assessment of medical equipment systems by working collaboratively with medical staff to evaluate market offerings, determine medical center requirements, design system configurations, and develop specifications.

Coordinates implementation of medical technology including assessing installation and site preparation requirements, managing project timelines, monitoring installation, and facilitating training of equipment operators and maintainers.

Ensure the provision of safe, reliably maintained, and clinically appropriate medical equipment for the delivery of quality healthcare in a cost-effective manner.

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

Supports medical device computer/network systems, which integrate highly sophisticated medical instrumentation systems using different communication protocols.

Assures that medical device recalls, and hazard alerts are managed and acted upon as appropriate and that equipment related safety enhancements are implemented in the RVAMC.

Supports an equipment management program that allows the VAMC to meet the requirements set by accrediting organizations such as The Joint Commission (TJC) and the College of American Pathologists (CAP).

Consults on matters pertaining to Biomedical Engineering personnel including staffing levels, recruitment, retention, performance and education.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: AD-HOC Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 09517F/09518F/00956F/00957F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized