Biomedical Engineer

Veterans Health Administration • Des Moines, IA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Biomedical Engineer provides professional engineering support to a complex, highly technical, service-oriented Biomedical Engineering Program. The program covers medical technology assessment, strategic planning, acquisition support, implementation, coordination, equipment management, and ongoing maintenance. The engineer plans, designs, and implements programs, projects, studies, and other work supporting healthcare technology at the Medical Center, with responsibilities that can significantly affect patient care delivery. The position reports directly to the Supervisory Biomedical Engineer and receives administrative direction based on broadly defined missions and functions.

The engineer serves as a technical expert and advisor on Biomedical Engineering issues, supports Biomedical Engineering staff, and assists clinical staff with medical equipment selection and use. They advise management on high-cost and high-volume technologies, general biomedical technology, and certain medical-related technology issues. They collaborate with medical staff to assess technology, evaluate products, establish requirements, configure systems, and develop specifications, and work with Contracting staff to procure equipment that meets clinical needs while controlling costs.

The position coordinates implementation of medical technology, including site preparation, installation, project timelines, and training for equipment users and maintainers. It supports medical equipment service and management, identifies opportunities to improve service delivery and contain costs, and contributes to the Medical Center's Environment of Care and patient-safety efforts. The engineer manages medical-device recalls and hazard alerts, supports safety enhancements and user education, and participates in equipment procurement, maintenance-strategy analysis, budget forecasting, and maintenance cost analysis. The role also consults on Biomedical Engineering staffing, recruitment, retention, performance, and education, and often directs technical support staff and coordinates their professional development. Support is primarily for the Medical Center, with occasional support for VISN initiatives.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception under VA policy for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• A bachelor's degree or higher in engineering from a school with at least one ABET-accredited professional engineering curriculum, or a Certified Clinical Engineer (CCE) certification and a bachelor's degree.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• For GS-9, at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-7, or qualifying graduate education; candidates must demonstrate the listed GS-9 knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• For GS-11, at least one year of experience equivalent to GS-9 and the GS-9 KSAs, or qualifying doctoral-level or graduate education; candidates must demonstrate the listed GS-11 KSAs.
• For GS-12, at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-11, or a post-doctoral research fellowship in biomedical engineering, and the required KSAs.
• Ability to meet the knowledge, skills, and abilities applicable to the grade sought, including medical equipment program compliance, staff education, technology advice, project management, recalls and safety alerts, capital planning, medical systems, information security, and stakeholder collaboration as applicable.
• Submit transcripts with the application when using education to qualify.
• Meet pre-employment requirements, including applicable drug testing, background/security investigation, onboarding, identification, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, as determined for the appointment.

Responsibilities

• Plan, direct, and execute assigned Biomedical Program activities, projects, studies, and other work supporting healthcare technology at the Medical Center.
• Prepare technical, informational, and graphical documentation and deliver written or oral presentations.
• Serve as a technical expert and advisor on Biomedical Engineering issues and support Biomedical Engineering staff.
• Assist clinical staff in selecting and using medical equipment, and advise management on medical technology.
• Collaborate with medical staff to assess technology, evaluate market offerings, determine requirements, design system configurations, and develop specifications.
• Work with Contracting staff to procure medical equipment that meets clinical needs while managing resources.
• Coordinate medical technology implementation, including site preparation, installation, project timelines, and training for equipment operators and maintainers.
• Facilitate medical equipment service support and recommend improvements to service delivery and cost containment.
• Support Medical Equipment Management and the Environment of Care at the Medical Center.
• Manage medical-device recalls and hazard alerts and support implementation of equipment-related safety enhancements and user education.
• Participate in equipment procurement by right-sizing functionality, developing technical specifications, evaluating technical proposals, and contributing to price negotiations.
• Analyze in-house versus outsourced maintenance options and recommend maintenance strategies for medical instrumentation systems.
• Participate in departmental financial management, including budget forecasting and maintenance cost analysis.
• Consult on Biomedical Engineering personnel staffing, recruitment, retention, performance, and education.
• Direct technical support staff as needed and coordinate ongoing staff development.
• Occasionally support VISN initiatives.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; eligibility and specific benefits depend on position type and agency details.
• Annual leave accrual may be credited for prior federal work or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level