Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 57,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

The Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (BESS) at the US Department of Veterans Affairs provides clinical and administrative support for lifecycle management of medical equipment facility-wide. The role applies engineering concepts to servicing diagnostic, therapeutic devices, monitoring and related equipment used in medical practice.

Required education includes an associates or higher degree in biomedical tech/engineering or related fields, plus training and/or experience in DOD HTM

Qualifications

• Bachelor-level knowledge of standards (NFPA, FDA, TJC, AAMI) for safe operation of medical equipment.

Responsibilities

• Experience demonstrating knowledge of standards and KSAs in clinical systems.
• Ability to interpret technical data including schematics and wiring diagrams.
• Ability to maintain and troubleshoot clinical equipment interfaces.

Skills

Knowledge of NFPA/FDA/TJC/AAMI

Schematic interpretation

Networking (ACL, TCP/IP, VLAN)

Advanced testing & troubleshooting

Medical computer & software upkeep

Project management of medical devices

Education

Associates or higher in biomedical tech/biomed eng

Associates or higher in electronics/IT/engineering plus 1 year exp

DOD biomedical equipment tech training

DOD IT/electronic systems repair training +1 year exp

HTM/Biomedical Engineering certificate with internship

HTM/Biomedical Engineering certificate without internship +1 year exp

Certification: CBET/CRES/CLES/CHTM

Tools

Digital multimeters

Electrical safety analyzers

Defibrillator analyzers

Patient simulators

Manometers

Tachometers

LAN analyzers

Job description

The Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (BESS) provides clinical and administrative support to staff, patients, and administrators for all matters of concern relating to the facility wide lifecycle management of medical equipment. Biomedical support requires the application of engineering and mechanical concepts and methodology to provide lifecycle management and technical support of diagnostic, therapeutic devices, monitoring, and other equipment utilized in the practice of medicine.

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 will not be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C chapters 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English. See Chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a.
• Education, Experience, or Certification:
  1. Associates or higher degree in the biomedical technology or biomedical engineering field; OR
  2. Associates or higher degree in electronics, a field of information technology, or engineering (other than biomedical engineering) AND 1 year of creditable experience; OR
  3. Completion of the Department of Defense (DOD) biomedical equipment technician training program; OR
  4. Completion of a DOD training program in repair and maintenance of electronic systems or information technology AND 1 year of creditable experience; OR
  5. Completion of a biomedical engineering technician or Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) certificate program that included an internship or apprenticeship; OR
  6. Completion of biomedical engineering technician or HTM certificate program that did not include an internship AND 1 year of creditable experience; OR
  7. 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.

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-11.

(1) Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade, GS-9.

(2) Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

• (a) 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.
• (b) 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.
• (c) Skill in interpreting a variety of technical data including schematic drawings and wiring diagrams.7
• (d) Skill in applying networking principles, such as Access Control List (ACL), Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), and Virtual Local Area Networks (VLAN).
• (e) Ability to perform advanced testing to troubleshoot medical equipment and clinical system interfaces.
• (f) Ability to maintain medical computers and software.
• (g) Ability to manage projects involving medical equipment and clinical systems.

A valid State driver's license is required. A safe driving record is required.

Reference

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

Physical Requirements

See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.