Bio Equip Support Spec

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Marion (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Marion, IL, is seeking a Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (BESS) to oversee the lifecycle and maintenance of medical devices at the Marion VA Medical Center, ensuring clinical systems function reliably.

You will troubleshoot, perform planned maintenance, document actions in CMMS, and coordinate with COR and vendors. This role emphasizes safety, regulatory compliance, and staff training to support patient care.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of physics, anatomy, and physiology.
• Experience with electronics, analog/digital, and microprocessors.

Responsibilities

• Manage lifecycle of medical equipment and clinical systems.
• Troubleshoot equipment and systems using technical data.
• Perform incoming inspections and planned maintenance.
• Document all work in CMMS.
• Respond to hazard alerts, recalls, and incidents.
• Monitor backups, network connectivity, and cybersecurity.
• Use test equipment per manufacturer instructions.
• Manage projects involving equipment and systems.
• Provide staff support and solutions, with status updates.
• Educate staff on safe operation and maintenance.
• Serve as COR or purchase cardholder when needed.
• Develop documentation to purchase commodities or services.
• Monitor contractor performance and address deficiencies.
• Comply with standards, policies, and regulatory requirements.
• Mentor colleagues and pursue ongoing professional development.

Skills

Biomedical knowledge

Troubleshooting

Maintenance planning

CMMS documentation

Networking basics

Test equipment

Customer support

Education

Associates or higher in biomedical technology

Tools

CMMS software

Job description

Summary

Serves as a Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (BESS) within the Facilities Management Service at Marion - IL VA Medical Center in Marion - IL. Works in support of the medical equipment management program. Troubleshoots and performs planned maintenance on a range of medical devices and clinical systems.

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
• 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-11
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-5 to GS-11
• Physical Requirements: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment
• A pre-placement physical examination is not required.

Duties

• The duties of the Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist includes but is not limited to: Manages the lifecycle of medical equipment and clinical systems
• Troubleshoots medical equipment and clinical systems using a variety of technical data and completes corrective action
• Performs incoming inspections and planned maintenance on medical equipment and clinical systems
• Documents all work in the Computerized Maintenance Management System(CMMS)
• Responds to and remediates hazard alerts - recall notifications - and incidents concerning medical equipment and clinical systems
• Documents all actions in the appropriate system
• Monitors system backups - ensures network connectivity - mitigates cybersecurity vulnerabilities - and maintains clinical systems
• Utilizes test equipment in accordance with manufacturer instructions
• Manages projects involving medical equipment and clinical systems
• Provides customer support to staff - evaluates issues and needs - responds with solutions - and keeps customers abreast of status
• Educates staff on the safe operation and user-level maintenance of medical equipment and clinical systems
• Serves as a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) and/or purchase cardholder
• Develops documentation to purchase commodities and/or vendor services
• Manages - monitors - and evaluates contractor performance and addresses issues or deficiencies
• - Complies with applicable standards - policies - procedures - and regulatory requirements
• Provides guidance and mentorship to expand professional knowledge and enhance technical skillsets
• Maintains and enhances knowledge in technological advancements through professional development and technical training
• Work Schedule: 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized