Biomedical Engineer - Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration

Summary This position is with the Clinical Engineering Service and is located at the West Haven Campus. As a Clinical Engineer for the VA Connecticut Healthcare System, the incumbent provides support to complex, highly technical systems throughout the Medical Center. The Clinical Engineering program includes medical technology assessment, strategic planning, acquisition support, implementation, coordination, equipment management, and ongoing maintenance support. Responsibilities The incumbent supports the Medical Center mission and Clinical Engineering Service goals while operating in accordance with Medical Center policies, Clinical department policies, and standards of professional service. He/she is a professional consultant and advisor on healthcare technology matters to VAMC unit managers and line staff. He/she consults with and provides guidance to technical staff in the Clinical Engineering Service. The Clinical Engineer works in conjunction with the Clinical Engineering Networking Team, the Chief of Clinical Engineering and the VISN office on matters pertaining to Clinical Engineering program operations and effective delivery of services. Initiates, plans, organizes, and implements new programs and projects affecting the department. Involved in Quality Assurance and Continuous Quality Management. Facilitates CQI proposals from the staff level to the Chief and Clinical Engineer GS-12/13. Consulted with to affect the decisions administration and management of the department. The GS-7 Clinical Engineering completes all work with close to limited supervision of the GS-13 Supervisory Clinical Engineer or designated Clinical Engineer GS-12. The incumbent is given assignments in terms of general objectives. Limited technical assistance in the analysis of the problems or plan development is ordinarily received from the Supervisor. Reports directly to the Supervisory Clinical Engineer (CE) GS-12/13. Employees at this level are in career development positions with the limited supervision of higher-level biomedical engineers. As the employee develops and gains experience, the employees will function at a more independent level with oversight by the supervisor for more complex assignments Employees at this level will complete technical assignments in the engineering field as assigned by senior engineers, and will be required to rotate through, and participate in, the operations of other administrative hospital services. At the GS-9 level, the employees will function at a more independent level with oversight by a supervisor for more complex assignments. This is demonstrated by preparing material on current technical topics and trends for presentation to other technical staff and mid-level hospital management, and the ability to keep abreast of changes in technology. Through the knowledge of engineering principles, concepts, practices, codes, regulations and guidelines to assure compliance with local facility and National Standards. Initiates, plans, organizes, and implements new programs and projects affecting the department. Involved in Quality Assurance and Continuous Quality Management. Facilitates CQI proposals from the staff level to the Chief and Clinical Engineer GS-12/13. Consulted with to affect the decisions administration and management of the department. The incumbent organizes projects of broad scope and objectives that effect many levels of medical and administrative staff. Typically, the assignment entails a number of variables for which precedent data, criteria, methods or techniques are significantly inadequate, are controversial or contain critical gaps. Projects involve forming several subsidiary projects or phases which may be resolved separately by the Clinical Engineering staff, but which must be integrated into the whole. At the GS 11 level, the employee will function on an independent basis at the full performance level; and will participate in medical device hazard investigations to assure compliance with patient safety goals, the Safe Medical Devices Act (SMDA), and JCAHO requirements; and will assist in the development of an equipment management program at the medical center. At this level, employees may assist in clinical research projects in the biomedical engineering field. At The GS 12 level, Uses developing technology, to facilitate the introduction of new equipment into the Medical Centers. Reviews, compares, and selects equipment. Evaluates functional and operational requirements of medical and engineering systems to establish and confirm specific requirements for final application. Responsible for initial staff training and in ongoing retraining as well as modifying training for identified user errors. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:00am to 3:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Ad-hoc is authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 402-F04074, 402-F04075, 478-F04012, 478-F03949 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Education Reduction Program: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications 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 and/or Experience. (1) Bachelor's Degree or Higher in Engineering. To be creditable, the curriculum must be from a school of engineering with at least one curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), as a professional engineering curriculum. Examples of acceptable engineering degrees include: Biomedical Engineering, Clinical Engineering, Bioengineering, Biomechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Biochemical Engineering. Titles may vary from educational institutions and change over time. OR, (2) Certification as a Certified Clinical Engineer (CCE) and a bachelor's degree not listed above. Grade Determinations:GS-07 Experience: None beyond the basic requirements. This is the entry level for Biomedical Engineers. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: None beyond the basic requirements. Grade Determination GS-09: Experience. At least [one] year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower level (GS-07) OR, Education: Master's degree in Biomedical Engineering, or a related field of study. OR, Bachelor's degree ( Biomedical Engineering, Clinical Engineering, Bioengineering, Biomechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Biochemical Engineering) plus two full years of progressively higher level graduate education in a related field of study, provided the applicant's total background demonstrates the KSAs for the GS-9 level assignment. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of the principles, theories, concepts, and practices of the Biomedical Engineering profession. Ability to interpret relevant codes, regulations, guidelines, and standards, and make recommendations to ensure compliance with medical center programs. Ability to understand the operational needs of clinical services in the health care system. Ability to prepare material on current technical topics and trends, for presentation to other technical staff and mid-level hospital management, and the ability to keep abreast of changes in technology. Grade Determination GS-11: Experience. At least [one] year of experience equivalent to the next lower level (GS-09) OR, Education: Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree in Biomedical Engineering, or a related field of engineering. OR, Bachelor's degree (Biomedical Engineering, Clinical Engineering, Bioengineering, Biomechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Biochemical Engineering) plus three full years of progressively higher level graduate education in a related field of study. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Ability to implement and/or sustain an equipment management or biomedical research program that meets The Joint Commission (TJC), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), or other applicable regulatory requirements. Ability to develop material for a continuing education program for clinical or research staff, that address the principles and application of medical technology, and/or biomedical theory used in healthcare. Ability to advise staff on emerging medical technology, or research procedures while keeping abreast of changes in such technology, and utilizing the information to solve biomedical engineering problems. Knowledge of basic project management principles, as applied to the healthcare setting and medical equipment, and information system implementation. Grade Determination GS-12: Experience. Completion of at least [one] year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower level (GS-11); or completion of a post-doctoral research fellowship in the field of biomedical engineering, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Ability to conduct a medical equipment management [or biomedical research program that is compliant with applicable healthcare standards and regulatory agencies.] Ability to develop a curriculum for a continuing education program, that address the safe and effective use of medical technology, and/or research devices. Ability to manage a recall and safety alert program for medical devices, including medical device hazard investigations, to assure compliance with patient safety goals, SMDA, and [TJC] requirements. Ability to conduct capital asset and infrastructure planning for medical equipment spanning initial concept, installation, and effective implementation of complex medical equipment. Ability to function as the subject matter expert in the field of biomedical engineering, directly supporting specialized clinical technology, including service, system administration, training, quality assurance, and life-cycle management. Ability to effectively advise clinical and administrative staff on medical technology, including existing and emerging technology, which addresses viability, long-term suitability, compatibility, and/or safety. Knowledge of concepts related to computer based medical systems, networking protocols, and information security as it applies to medical technology within VHA. Skill in communicating and working collaboratively with key stakeholders, including technical and professional staff at various levels of the organization. Ability to apply project management principles to deployment of medical equipment and health information technologies. References: VA Handbook 5005/104 Transmittal Sheet March 25, 2019 (OCHCO site) 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-07 to GS-12. Physical Requirements: Incumbent often will be required to walk and/or stand for extended periods of time. Work is often tedious and precise, requiring good concentration with proper hand-eye coordination. Some climbing and working from ladders may be required. The ability to lift objects up to 40 pounds is required. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.