Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Montgomery (AL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Central Alabama Veterans Healthcare System HTM team is seeking a Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (BESS).

You will troubleshoot and perform planned maintenance on medical devices and clinical systems, supporting the medical equipment management program under regular supervision. Responsibilities include managing the lifecycle of equipment, performing inspections, documenting in CMMS, addressing hazard alerts, and maintaining cybersecurity for clinical

Qualifications

• Knowledge of NFPA, FDA, TJC, and AAMI standards for safe operation of medical equipment and clinical systems.
• Ability to use test and calibration equipment including digital multimeters, electrical safety analyzers, defibrillator analyzers, LAN analyzers, etc.
• Ability to interpret schematics and wiring diagrams.
• Understanding networking concepts (ACL, TCP/IP, VLAN).
• Ability to perform advanced testing to troubleshoot equipment and interfaces.
• Ability to maintain medical computers and software; manage projects involving equipment and clinical systems.

Responsibilities

• Manages the lifecycle of medical equipment and clinical systems.
• Troubleshoots equipment using technical data and completes corrective action.
• Performs incoming inspections and planned maintenance on medical equipment.
• Documents all work in CMMS.
• Responds to hazard alerts, recalls, and incidents.
• Monitors backups and cybersecurity for clinical systems.
• Provides customer support and guides staff on safe operation.
• Educates staff on safe operation and maintenance of equipment.

Skills

NFPA standards

FDA standards

TJC standards

AAMI standards

Test equipment

Schematics interpretation

Networking principles

Troubleshooting

Project management

Medical IT maintenance

Education

Associate degree in biomedical technology

Associate degree in electronics

DOD biomedical equipment training

HTM certificate program

CBET/CRES/CLES/CHTM certification

Tools

Digital multimeters

Electrical safety analyzers

Defibrillator analyzers

LAN analyzers

Patient simulators

Manometers

Tachometers

Job description

Summary

Serves as a Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (BESS) Central Alabama Veterans Healthcare System Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) department. Works in support of the medical equipment management program. Troubleshoots and performs planned maintenance on medical devices and clinical systems under frequent supervision.

Serves as a Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (BESS) Central Alabama Veterans Healthcare System Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) department. Works in support of the medical equipment management program. Troubleshoots and performs planned maintenance on medical devices and clinical systems under frequent supervision.

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

• To qualify for appointment to this position - all applicants must possess the following: a
• Citizenship
• Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.)
• Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens according to 38 U.S.C.
• 7407(a)
• b
• 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
• 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: To qualify for the GS-11 level
• 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.

Duties

• Duties include - but 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 basic networking concepts in accordance with the VHA Medical Device Protection Program (MDPP) - such as computer and server hardware and software used in conjunction with medical devices and 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
• Performs planned maintenance on medical equipment and clinical systems Assists with remediation and documentation of hazard alerts and recall notifications concerning medical equipment impacting the facility
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm
• Schedule is subject to change based on the needs of the agency
• Telework: Not eligible for telework Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 59250F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized