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 encompasses medical technology assessment, strategic planning, acquisition support, implementation, coordination, equipment management, and ongoing maintenance support. 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 role reports directly to the Supervisory Biomedical Engineer and receives administrative direction 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 selecting and using medical equipment. They advise management on high-cost and high-volume medical technology, general biomedical technology, and certain medical-related technology issues. They work with clinical staff to assess equipment systems, evaluate market offerings, establish requirements, configure systems, and develop specifications. In collaboration with Contracting staff, they support procurement, implementation, installation planning, project timelines, operator and maintainer training, and monitoring installations. The position primarily supports the Medical Center and may occasionally support VISN initiatives.

The engineer supports safe, reliable, clinically appropriate, and cost-effective medical equipment management. They facilitate equipment service support, identify service-delivery and cost-containment improvements, and support the Medical Equipment Management component of the Medical Center’s Environment of Care. They contribute to patient safety by managing medical-device recalls and hazard alerts, implementing equipment-related safety enhancements, and supporting user education.

The role also contributes to budget forecasting and maintenance cost analysis; evaluates equipment functionality, technical specifications, proposals, pricing, and maintenance strategies; and advises on outsourcing versus in-house support. The engineer consults on Biomedical Engineering staffing, recruitment, retention, performance, and education; may direct technical support staff; and coordinates ongoing staff development. Presentations and other communications may include written and oral material and technical, informational, or graphical documentation.

This is a full-time position with a Monday–Friday schedule, 0700–1530. Telework is not available, and the position is not virtual. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized. The full performance level is GS-12; selection may be at GS-7 through GS-12. The position requires a pre-employment examination or evaluation and a 1- or 2-year trial period.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• A bachelor’s degree or higher in engineering from a school with an ABET-accredited professional engineering curriculum, or a Certified Clinical Engineer (CCE) certification and a bachelor’s degree.
• Submit transcripts with the application when using education to qualify.
• Meet the experience, education, and knowledge, skills, and abilities for the grade sought; the vacancy’s grade range is GS-7 to GS-12.
• For GS-9, at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-7, or qualifying graduate education; demonstrate knowledge of Biomedical Engineering principles, ability to interpret relevant standards and regulations, understand clinical operational needs, and prepare technical material and presentations.
• For GS-11, at least one year of experience equivalent to GS-9 and the required KSAs, or qualifying doctoral-level or graduate education; demonstrate ability to implement or sustain compliant equipment-management or research programs, develop continuing-education material, advise on emerging technology, and apply project-management principles.
• For GS-12, at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-11 or a post-doctoral biomedical engineering research fellowship, and the required KSAs, including compliance-focused program management, medical technology education, recalls and safety alerts, capital and infrastructure planning, subject-matter expertise, technology advising, medical-system networking and information-security knowledge, collaboration, and project management.
• U.S. citizens applying must meet applicable Selective Service registration requirements for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Selected applicants are subject to background and security investigation and, for testing-designated positions, pre-appointment urinalysis for illegal drug use.
• Participation in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
• Complete the online onboarding process and provide acceptable identification for pre-employment requirements.
• Serve a 1- or 2-year trial period.
• Participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation.

Nice To Haves

• Experience or education beyond the basic requirements may qualify applicants for higher grades, including specialized experience at the next lower grade, graduate education, a doctoral degree, or a post-doctoral research fellowship, as applicable.
• Current VHA employees may qualify under the stated grandfathering provision if they meet its criteria.

Responsibilities

• Plan, design, and implement Biomedical Program activities, projects, studies, and work supporting healthcare technology at the Medical Center.
• Oversee the planning, direction, and timely execution of assigned Biomedical Program activities.
• 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 issues.
• 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 containing resources.
• Coordinate technology implementation, including site preparation, installation requirements, project timelines, installation monitoring, 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 within the Medical Center’s Environment of Care.
• Manage medical-device recalls and hazard alerts, implement equipment-related safety enhancements, and support effective equipment-user education.
• Participate in equipment procurement and financial management, including right-sizing functionality, developing specifications, evaluating technical proposals, contributing to price negotiations, forecasting budgets, and analyzing maintenance costs.
• Analyze maintenance strategies, including outsourcing versus in-house support, and recommend optimal strategies for medical instrumentation systems.
• Consult on Biomedical Engineering staffing, recruitment, retention, performance, and education; direct technical support staff as needed and coordinate staff development.
• Prepare and deliver written and oral presentations and technical, informational, and graphical documentation.
• Occasionally support VISN initiatives.

Benefits

• A comprehensive federal employee benefits package is available; specific benefit eligibility depends on position type and other factors, and applicants are directed to contact the hiring agency for details.

What This Job Offers

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