Biomedical Equipment Specialist

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Orlando (FL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Orlando VA Healthcare System seeks a Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (BEES) at the full performance level to support the Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) Service in Orlando. The role troubleshoots and performs planned maintenance on medical devices and clinical systems to ensure patient safety and equipment readiness.

Candidates must meet one of several education/certification paths, have English proficiency, and be a US citizen.

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship is required; non-citizens allowed only per VA policy.
• Proficiency in English, spoken and written.
• At least one credentialed pathway from the listed basic requirements.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot and maintain a range of medical devices and clinical systems.
• Support the HTM service and regional equipment management program.
• Adhere to safety and regulatory standards during maintenance and testing.

Skills

Knowledge of safety and medical device

Troubleshooting expertise

Networking basics (TCP/IP, VLAN, ACL)

Project management ability

Education

Biomed tech degree (Associates or higher)

Electronics/IT/Engineering degree + 1 year experience

DOD biomedical equipment training

HTM/HTM certificate with internship

CBET/CRES/CLES/CHTM certification

Job description

Serves as a Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (BEES) at the full performance level within Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) Service at the Orlando VA Healthcare System (OVAHCS). Works in support of the medical equipment management program Troubleshoots and performs planned maintenance on a range of medical devices and clinical systems.

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- Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
• Education, Experience or Certification-(Documentation Submitted) - Individual must meet at least one of the requirements below.
• 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 Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the United States must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials, and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to experience gained in conventional United States programs.
• 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.

Grandfathering Provision

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). For employees who do not meet all the basic or assignment-specific requirements in this standard, but who meet the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed, the following provisions apply:

1. Employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or be changed to a lower grade within the occupation, but they may not be promoted beyond the journey level or be newly placed in supervisory or managerial positions.
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 retained in this occupation under this provision who subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of re- entry to the occupation.

Grade Determinations

GS-11 Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist

Experience. In addition to the basic requirements, one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level, that is directly related to the position to be filled.

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

Preferred Experience

Preferred applicants have at least 12 months of experience in life cycle management of medical systems, including imaging, life support, dialysis, and patient monitoring, with both physical and network support. Candidates should also demonstrate fundamental knowledge of Joint Commission (TJC) and NFPA requirements as they relate to Facilities Management and Health Technology Management.

Reference

For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/

Physical Requirements

Must be able to stoop, reach, kneel, crouch, and maintain intense concentration for long periods of time under adverse conditions, such as troubleshooting, repairing and/or calibrating life-saving equipment while it is monitoring and/or supporting the life of a patient. Heavy lifting (over 40 lbs.) can be accomplished by getting assistance when needed. Certain electronic component repairs require adequate eyesight and dexterity.