Biomedical Engineer

Full Job Description

Biomedical Engineer The incumbent will provide professional engineering support to a complex, highly technical, and service oriented Biomedical Engineering Program.

The Biomedical Program includes medical technology assessment, strategic planning, acquisition support, implementation, coordination, equipment management, and ongoing maintenance support.

The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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 and/or Experience: The individual must meet either item (1) or (2) below to meet this requirement: 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.

OR, Certification as a Certified Clinical Engineer (CCE) and a bachelor's degree. English Language Proficiency: Biomedical Engineers must be proficient in spoken and written English.

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-7 Biomedical Engineer Experience: None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-9 Biomedical Engineer Experience: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower level, GS-7.

OR Education: Master's degree in Biomedical Engineering, or a related field of study OR Bachelor's degree, 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.

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

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

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

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

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 Biomedical Engineer Experience: At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower level, GS-9, 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 OR Bachelor's degree, plus three full years of progressively higher level graduate education in a related field of study.

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

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.

ii.

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.

iii.

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.

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

GS-12 Biomedical Engineer Experience: Completion of at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower level, GS-11, 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: i.

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

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

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. iv.

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

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.

vi.

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.

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

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

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

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: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position.

Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination. Grandfathering Provision.

All persons employed in VHA in this occupation, on the effective date of this qualification standard, are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education, and/or certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation.

For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: (1) Such employees in an occupation that does not require a certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted, or demoted within the occupation.

(2) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis, prior to the effective date of the qualification standard, may not have their temporary appointment extended, or be reappointed on a temporary, or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.

(3) Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or certification/registration, that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard, must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.

(4) If an employee, who was retained in an occupation listed in 38 U.S.C.

§ 7401(3) under this provision, leaves that occupation, the employee loses protected status, and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation.

Major Duties:

The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers.

This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest.

As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran.

This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community.

This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

Duties include, but are not limited to: Program Involvement and Management: The Biomedical Engineer reports directly to the Supervisory Biomedical Engineer.

They receive administrative direction with assignments in terms of broadly defined missions and functions.

They exercise authority to oversee the overall planning, direction, and timely execution of assigned Biomedical Program activities.

They have responsibility for planning, designing and implementing programs, projects, studies, and other work to support healthcare technology at the Medical Center.

Successful execution of these responsibilities has major impact upon the outcome of patient care delivery.

Presentations may require written and oral communication as well as preparation of technical, informational, and graphical documentation.

Technical Expertise: The Biomedical Engineer is recognized as the technical expert and advisor on Biomedical Engineering issues and aids in the Biomedical Engineering support provided by Biomedical staff at the medical center.

They are responsible for providing assistance to the clinical staff in selection and utilization of medical equipment.

The Biomedical Engineer advises the management staff in the areas of high-cost and high-volume medical technology, a wide array of general biomedical technology, as well as certain medical-related technology issues.

Budgetary and Financial Management: A high degree of technical judgment, initiative, originality, and resourcefulness is required to efficiently and effectively anticipate, identify, and solve unique challenges in the dynamic Medical Center environment.

Participation in medical technology management and equipment procurement processes include "right-sizing" equipment functionality, actively participating in the development of technical specifications, evaluating technical proposals, and contributing to price negotiations.

The Biomedical Engineer analyzes maintenance strategies including review of out-sourcing versus in-house support.

They analyze and recommend optimal maintenance strategies for medical instrumentation systems.

The Biomedical Engineer participates in financial management of the Biomedical Engineering Department, including budget forecasting and maintenance cost analysis.

Personnel: The Biomedical Engineer consults on matters pertaining to Biomedical Engineering personnel including staffing levels, recruitment, retention, performance, and education.

They often direct technical support staff to support effective service delivery. The Biomedical Engineer fosters and coordinates continuous staff development of Biomedical personnel.

Work Schedule: Full-time; Monday-Friday, 0700-1530 Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized