Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (Information Systems)

Summary

The Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (Information System) provides clinical and administrative support to staff, patients, and administrators for all matters of concern relating to the facility wide lifecycle management of networks, networked medical equipment to improve health service delivery systems.

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Overview

• Accepting applications

• Open & closing dates

03/15/2024 to 04/05/2024

This job will close when we have received 50 applications which may be sooner than the closing date. Learn more

• Salary

$86,962 - $113,047 per year

• Pay scale & grade

GS 12

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Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

• Johnson City, TN 1 vacancy

• Remote job

No

• Telework eligible

No

• Travel Required

Not required

• Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

• Appointment type

Permanent -

• Work schedule

Full-time -

• Service

Excepted

• Promotion potential

None

• Job family (Series)

1601 Equipment Facilities, And Services

• Supervisory status

No

• Security clearance

Not Required

• Drug test

Yes

• Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

• Trust determination process

Suitability/Fitness

• Announcement number

CBTG-12353901-24-PS

• Control number

782018000

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This job is open to

• Federal employees - Excepted service

Current excepted service federal employees.

• The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency

The public Current JAMES H QUILLEN VA MEDICAL CENTER federal employees apply to: CBTG-12354127-24-PS

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Duties

Biomedical support requires the application of engineering and mechanical concepts and methodology to provide life cycle management and technical support of diagnostic, therapeutic devices, monitoring, and other equipment utilized in the practice of medicine, and to :improve health service delivery systems for communities and within individual VA facilities (medical centers, outpatient clinics, and domiciliaries).Life cycle management .encompasses the following: technology assessment including defining requirements and analyzing alternatives with clinical users; technology acquisition including technical evaluation and best value determination of proposed equipment and systems; technology implementation including site preparation, incoming inspections, device/system integration, network device security implementation and clinical/technical training; technology sustainment including regular and unscheduled maintenance, upgrades and enhancements, continuing education; end of useful life tasks including decommissioning, data sanitization, and technical evaluation for condition prior to disposal; and strategic planning for end of life replacement in conjunction with clinical services.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Life cycle management of network equipment including but not limited to network switches, servers, routers and related infrastructure for any and all networked complex medical devices and systems such as imaging, life support, dialysis, and monitoring. Completes both routine and complex assignments involved identifying and troubleshooting issues related to VLAN configuration, IP addressing, sub-netting, HL 7, DICOM, Access Control List (ACL) and network security across the medical device network. Coordinates and works effectively with other facility support departments including but not limited to Facilities Management Service (FMS), Office of Information Technology (OlT), Sterile Processing Service (SPS), and Environmental Management Service (EMS). Utilizes advanced network test equipment and software including but not limited to tracers, wireless spectrum analyzers, network traffic monitors, command prompt, physical and virtual server software.

• Manages, troubleshoots and maintains complete systems of computerized networks, databases and servers including but not limited to biomedical information systems that store or facilitate patient information. These biomedical information systems include but are not Limited to Picture Archiving Communication Systems (PACS), physiological monitoring systems, Clinical Information Systems (CIS). Anesthesia Record Keeping (ARK), and other systems for which Medical Device isolation Architecture (MDJA) would apply.

• Implements and plans for new and emerging technologies including but not limited to diagnostic modalities, network management and storage, and virtual data centers.

• Designs, implements and manages network incident response due to infection, loss of service or regional and local policy changes according to VA guidelines. Ensures proper security configuration for assigned devices and networks. Regularly reviews and installs available approved software updates and virus definitions for applicable networked medical devices. Leads development of disaster recovery procedures for critical systems to be enacted in the event of device failure. Adheres to MDIA Guidelines in both pre-procurement and during system implementation. Loads operating system (OS) and clinical application software as needed.

• As assigned, employee is responsible for life cycle management of any and all medical devices and systems such as imaging, life support, dialysis, and monitoring to include physical and network support. Completes both routine and complex assignments involved in the installation, maintenance, modification, troubleshooting. repair and calibration of these complex therapeutic, diagnostic and life support medical devices and systems. Specific tasks include but are not limited to incoming inspections, regular and unscheduled maintenance, and planning for end of life replacement in conjunction with clinical services. Utilizes common test equipment including, but not limited to, electrical safety analyzers, oscilloscopes, patient simulators, pulse generators, network analyzers, and multimeters.

Work Schedule: Dayshift

Compressed/Flexible: Not Eligible

Telework: Not eligible for telework.

Duty Locations: 621

Travel Required: No

Driving Required: No

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 91007907-Biomedical Equipment Specialist (BESS)

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

EDRP Authorized: Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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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.

• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.

• 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

Transcripts must be submitted with application - degree must be reflected as conferred and/or coursework/grades reflected on transcripts.

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 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. See Chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part

• Education/Experience: Associate's degree in Biomedical Electronics Technology, Biomedical Equipment Technology or Biomedical Engineering Technology or in a related technical field such as Electronic Technology or Information Technology

• AND two years of experience as a Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist, Biomedical Equipment Technician, Field Service Engineer, Medical Equipment Repairer, or Information Technology Specialist.

OR, a Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Engineering Technology or in a related field such as Electronics Engineering Technology (EET) or Information Technology.

OR, Completed a military training program in biomedical equipment AND two years of experience as a Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist or Biomedical Equipment Technician, Field Service Engineer, Medical Equipment Repairer or Information Technology Specialist.

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates

AND Candidates must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:(a) Current knowledge of computer virus protection software, available software patches and upgrades, and information security tools.(b) Expert knowledge of electronics, computer and networking theory with experience maintaining, interfacing and troubleshooting networked medical equipment to include VLAN configuration, IP addressing, sub-netting, and network security.(c) Ability to utilize and maintain computer and server based medical equipment, medical record databases, and proprietary and generic software, Experience with TCP/IP, HL7, networking, network security, and DICOM standards.(d) Ability to interpret, identify, and apply network engineering principles and practices where there often times is no previous example to follow, or precedence.(e) Skill to distinguish networking problems from non-networking problems and discuss various options with IT networking and operations staff members.

References: VA Handbook 5005/95 Part II Appendix G49 BIOMEDICAL EQUIPMENT SUPPORT SPECIALIST QUALIFICATION STANDARD

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12.

Physical Requirements: Applicants must be physically and mentally able to efficiently perform the essential functions of the position without hazard to themselves or others.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

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.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

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.

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• Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new window

Learn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.