Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (BESS)

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. 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.

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. 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).

GRADE DETERMINATIONS

GS-05 (Entry Level): Experience or Education. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-07 (Developmental 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 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 multimeters, 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. GS-09 (Developmental 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 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. GS-11 (Full Performance 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 multimeters, 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-05 to GS-11.

STVHCS/Clinical Engineering Service Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (BESS) support facility-wide lifecycle management of medical equipment.

Typical duties may include but are not limited to: Managing the life cycle of medical equipment and clinical systems Troubleshooting medical equipment and clinical systems using a variety of technical data and completing corrective action Performing incoming inspections and planned maintenance on medical equipment and clinical systems Documenting work in computerized maintenance management systems Responding to and remedies hazard alerts recall notifications and incidents concerning medical equipment and clinical systems Documenting actions in appropriate systems Monitoring systems backup to ensure network connectivity mitigates cyber security vulnerabilities and maintains clinical systems Utilizing test equipment in accordance with manufacturer instructions Managing projects involving medical equipment and clinical systems Providing customer support to staff, evaluating issues and needs, responding with solutions and keeping customers abreast of status Educating staff on the staff operation and user level maintenance of medical equipment and clinical systems Serving as a Contracting Officers Representative (COR) and/or purchase card holder Developing documentation to purchase commodities and/or vendor services Managing monitors and evaluating contractor performance while addressing issues or deficiencies.

Complying with applicable standards, policies, procedures and regulatory requirements Providing guidance and mentorship to expand professional knowledge and enhance technical skill set Maintaining and enhancing knowledge in technical advancements through professional development and technical training, etc. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Telework: Not eligible Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: GS-05: 53620F, GS-07: 53621F, GS-09: 53622F, GS-11: 53832F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized