Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (Intensive Care)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 95,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Portland, OR seeks a Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (Intensive Care) to maintain life-support and high-risk ICU equipment used in CCU, ICU and related clinics.

You will troubleshoot complex devices, document work in CMMS, and support clinical staff with device knowledge. The role requires HL7/DICOM knowledge and adherence to NFPA/FDA/TJC/AAMI standards, with a Monday–Friday on-site schedule and potential local travel.

Qualifications

• Experience with high-risk ICU equipment and life-support systems.
• Knowledge of HL7/DICOM and safety standards (NFPA/FDA/TJC/AAMI).
• Ability to troubleshoot and repair specialized medical devices.

Responsibilities

• Perform manufacturer-level maintenance on life-support and ICU equipment.
• Manage networks, databases, and interfaces for clinical systems.
• Document actions in CMMS and respond to safety recalls and incidents.
• Educate staff on safe operation and basic maintenance of equipment.

Skills

HL7 knowledge

DICOM standards

Networked medical equipment

Troubleshooting complex equipment

Education

Associates or higher in biomedical technology

Associates or higher in electronics/IT/engineering with related experience

DOD BMET training or HTM certificate program with internship

Certified Biomedical Equipment Technician (CBET/CRES/CLES/CHTM)

Tools

Ventilator testers

Life-support equipment testing gear

CMMS systems

Job description

Summary

Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (BESS) specialized in high-risk intensive care equipment within a Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) department at VA facility In Portland - OR - which supports the medical equipment management program. Additional duties - the BESS supports and maintains life-support - high-risk equipment utilized in intensive care areas - Coronary Care Unit (CCU) - Pulmonary Function Laboratories - equipment and associated clinical systems used in the ICU.

Summary

Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (BESS) specialized in high-risk intensive care equipment within a Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) department at VA facility In Portland - OR - which supports the medical equipment management program. Additional duties - the BESS supports and maintains life-support - high-risk equipment utilized in intensive care areas - Coronary Care Unit (CCU) - Pulmonary Function Laboratories - equipment and associated clinical systems used in the ICU.

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
• (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
• Grandfathering Provision
• Employees in VHA in this occupation - under a permanent - appropriate - and legal placement on the effective date of the qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the grade and assignment held including positive education and certification
• For employees who do not meet all the basic or assignment-specific requirements in this standard - but who met 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 reentry to the occupation
• NOTE: This provision is not intended to regularize appointments/placements
• Foreign Education
• To be creditable - education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials
• Physical Requirements
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements
• English Language Proficiency
• Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C.
• 7403(f)
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - candidates must meet the following grade-determining criteria for placement at grade levels specified
• Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (Intensive Care) - GS-12
• (1) Experience
• One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade
• (2) Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of HL7 and DICOM standards
• (b) Skill in applying 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
• (c) Skill in operating test equipment for specialized high-risk - surgical - or intensive care medical equipment such as ventilator testers - mechanical lungs - and anesthetic gas monitors
• (d) Skill in maintaining specialized high-risk - intensive care - or surgical equipment such as ventilators - heart-lung bypass - anesthesia - and intra-aortic balloon pumps
• (e) Skill in performing advanced testing to troubleshoot specialized networked medical equipment and clinical system interfaces
• (f) Ability to resolve complex failures on specialized 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-12
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-12 to GS-12
• 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
• Environmental factors: The work may include electrical energy - working on ladders - working outdoors - and working alone
• There may be occasional exposure to moderate risks or discomforts associated with hazardous materials
• The work may involve occasional travel - driving - and/or traveling by motor vehicle

Duties

• ***MUST LIVE WITHIN 50 MILES OF PORTLAND VA MEDICAL CENTER*** Duties include but are not limited to: - Performs manufacturer-level maintenance on life-support - high-risk surgical - or intensive care medical equipment and clinical systems
• - Manages network systems - databases - and interfaces on life-support - high risk surgical - or intensive care medical equipment and clinical systems
• - Coordinates and implements cybersecurity measures and disaster recovery plans
• - Manages the planning - acquisition - and installation of life-support - high-risk surgical - or intensive care medical equipment and clinical systems
• - Serves as a subject matter expert on assigned committees - projects - and workgroups
• - 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 card holder
• - 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
• - The work may involve occasional travel - driving - and/or traveling by motor vehicle Work Schedule: Monday - Friday
• 7:00am -3:30pm PST Compressed/Flexible: Not Available 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