Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist

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. 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.

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

In addition to the Basic Requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met. GS-05 (Entry Level): Experience or Education; None beyond basic requirements. GS-07 (Developmental Level 1): You must have One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-05). In addition to the experience, the candidate must demonstrate all of 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 multi-meters, 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 2): You must have One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-07).

In addition to the experience, the candidate must demonstrate all of 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): You must have One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS-09).

In addition to the experience, 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. 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-5 to GS-11.

Physical Requirements

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

Duties may include but are not limited to: Manages the lifecycle of medical equipment and clinical systems. Troubleshoots medical equipment and clinical systems using technical information to identify problems and complete corrective actions. Performs planned maintenance on medical equipment and clinical systems in accordance with applicable procedures and manufacturer instructions. Assists with incoming inspections of medical equipment and clinical systems.

Documents maintenance, inspections, corrective actions, and other completed work in the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS). Assists with remediation and documentation of medical equipment hazard alerts and recall notifications affecting the facility. Applies basic networking concepts to computer and server hardware and software used with medical devices and clinical systems, consistent with applicable medical device protection requirements.

Uses test equipment in accordance with manufacturer instructions and follows applicable standards, policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements when performing technical work. Provides technical customer support to staff by evaluating equipment-related issues and needs, responding with solutions, and communicating the status of work. Educates staff on the safe operation and user-level maintenance of medical equipment and clinical systems, as appropriate to the assigned grade and level of responsibility.

Work Schedule: 7:00am-3:30pm Monday-Friday Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 08279F, 08280F, 08281F, 08282F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized