Biomedical Engineer

Veterans Health Administration•Saint Louis, MO

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Biomedical Engineer serves as a Staff Biomedical Engineer in the Clinical Engineering Service at the St. Louis VA Health Care System, a two-division medical center. The service oversees medical equipment and associated clinical systems and maintains, supports, and implements a Healthcare Technology Management Program that meets or exceeds applicable regulatory requirements, including those of The Joint Commission, NFPA, OIG, and FDA. The engineer supports Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM) integration for medical and clinical systems and may lead projects or implementations to meet EHRM standards and connectivity requirements. The role provides subject matter expertise for specialized clinical technology, including service, system administration, training, and quality assurance. It also advises clinical and administrative staff on existing and emerging medical engineering technology, including viability, suitability, compatibility, and safety. The position supports medical equipment management through utilization, repair, and error analysis; contractor specifications and oversight; medical-device recalls and safety alerts; capital asset and infrastructure planning; and equipment procurement and implementation. It also contributes to technology and network documentation, HIPAA and network security management, clinical workflow evaluation, committee work, and VISN and national initiatives. The position is full performance at GS-12, with selection possible from GS-7 through GS-12. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, with one of three listed schedules: 7:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m., 7:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m., or 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Telework is not available, and the position is not virtual.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
Proficiency in written and spoken English.
A bachelor's degree or higher in engineering from a school with at least one ABET-accredited professional engineering curriculum, or CCE certification together with a bachelor's degree not listed among the qualifying engineering degrees.
Qualifying applicants may meet the applicable grade requirements through specialized experience, education, or both, as specified for GS-9, GS-11, and GS-12.
For GS-9, at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower level, or a qualifying master's degree or specified graduate education; demonstrate the stated knowledge, skills, and abilities in biomedical engineering principles, regulations, clinical operations, and technical communication.
For GS-11, at least one year of experience equivalent to GS-9, or a qualifying doctoral degree or specified graduate education; demonstrate the stated abilities in regulatory-compliant equipment management or research programs, continuing education, emerging technology, and project management.
For GS-12, at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-11 or a post-doctoral research fellowship in biomedical engineering, and demonstrate the stated KSAs in compliant equipment management, continuing education, recalls and safety alerts, capital planning, specialized clinical technology, advising, medical systems networking and security, collaboration, and project management.
Meet applicable physical requirements under VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
Meet background and security investigation requirements, complete online onboarding and application documentation, and satisfy applicable identification requirements.
Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
Serve a one- or two-year trial period, as applicable.

Responsibilities

Assist with EHRM integration for medical and clinical systems and potentially lead projects or implementations to meet EHRM standards and connectivity requirements.
Maintain, support, and implement the Healthcare Technology Management Program in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements.
Provide biomedical engineering advice and subject matter expertise, including service, system administration, training, and quality assurance for specialized clinical technology.
Analyze medical equipment utilization, repairs, and errors to support the Medical Equipment Management Plan.
Develop work performance specifications for service contractors, monitor contractor performance, communicate contract information, and help resolve contract-related problems.
Support VISN and national initiatives and participate in approved workgroups to improve Healthcare Technology Management operations.
Maintain a continuing education and development plan addressing technology trends, safe and effective medical-equipment use, and communication skills.
Manage medical-device recalls and safety alerts, including incident investigations, to support compliance with patient safety goals, SMDA, and Joint Commission requirements.
Advise clinical and administrative staff on existing and emerging medical engineering technologies, including viability, long-term suitability, compatibility, and safety.
Assist with capital asset and infrastructure planning for medical equipment from initial concept through installation and effective implementation.
Share responsibility for developing, purchasing, and implementing medical technology, including modifying devices or system interfaces to meet medical-center requirements.
Assist with implementation of electronic devices, systems, and computers related to patient-care equipment; observe their use and obtain user feedback on clinical workflow.
Assist with Equipment Committee activities, including requesting, prioritizing, and purchasing equipment using the VA EER/SEPG System.
Share responsibility for managing HIPAA and network security issues for medical systems and maintaining system documentation, including backup, disaster recovery, and security information.
Help update medical-system network-connection documentation, including VLAN, IP address, subnet mask, default gateway, network switch, and port numbers.
Assist in developing tools and methods to collect, track, and display data or other information for staff.
Develop ideas, designs, and solutions intended to enhance patient care and satisfaction.
Represent Clinical Engineering on committees and in meetings as delegated by the supervisor.
Perform other assigned Biomedical Engineering duties and may assist with administrative duties, including hiring panels.