Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (Intensive Care)

Veterans Health Administration•Portland, OR

33d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is for a Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (BESS) specialized in high-risk intensive care equipment within a Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) department at a VA facility in Portland, OR. The role supports the medical equipment management program and is responsible for maintaining life-support, high-risk equipment utilized in intensive care areas, Coronary Care Unit (CCU), Pulmonary Function Laboratories, and associated clinical systems used in the ICU. The specialist must live within 50 miles of the Portland VA Medical Center.

Requirements

Must be a U.S. Citizen.
Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
Subject to background/security investigation.
Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement.
Must serve a 1 or 2-year trial period.
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, Experience, or Certification Options:
(1) Associates or higher degree in the biomedical technology or biomedical engineering field; OR
(2) Associates or higher degree in electronics, a field of information technology, or engineering (other than biomedical engineering) AND 1 year of creditable experience; OR
(3) Completion of the Department of Defense (DOD) biomedical equipment technician training program; OR
(4) Completion of a DOD training program in repair and maintenance of electronic systems or information technology AND 1 year of creditable experience; OR
(5) Completion of a biomedical engineering technician or Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) certificate program that included an internship or apprenticeship; OR
(6) Completion of biomedical engineering technician or HTM certificate program that did not include an internship AND 1 year of creditable experience; OR
(7) Hold or having ever held certification as a Certified Biomedical Equipment Technician (CBET), Certified Radiology Equipment Specialist (CRES), Certified Laboratory Equipment Specialist (CLES), or Certified Healthcare Technology Manager (CHTM).
Foreign Education must be deemed at least equivalent to a U.S. program by a specialized private organization.
Knowledge of HL7 and DICOM standards.
Skill in applying standards including National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Joint Commission (TJC), and the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) for safe operation of medical equipment and clinical systems.
Skill in operating test equipment for specialized high-risk, surgical, or intensive care medical equipment such as ventilator testers, mechanical lungs, and anesthetic gas monitors.
Skill in maintaining specialized high-risk, intensive care, or surgical equipment such as ventilators, heart-lung bypass, anesthesia, and intra-aortic balloon pumps.
Skill in performing advanced testing to troubleshoot specialized networked medical equipment and clinical system interfaces.
Ability to resolve complex failures on specialized medical equipment and clinical systems.

Nice To Haves

Must live within 50 miles of Portland VA Medical Center.

Responsibilities

Performs manufacturer-level maintenance on life-support, high-risk surgical, or intensive care medical equipment and clinical systems.
Manages network systems, databases, and interfaces on life-support, high risk surgical, or intensive care medical equipment and clinical systems.
Coordinates and implements cybersecurity measures and disaster recovery plans.
Manages the planning, acquisition, and installation of life-support, high-risk surgical, or intensive care medical equipment and clinical systems.
Serves as a subject matter expert on assigned committees, projects, and workgroups.
Manages the lifecycle of medical equipment and clinical systems.
Troubleshoots medical equipment and clinical systems using a variety of technical data and completes corrective action.
Performs incoming inspections and planned maintenance on medical equipment and clinical systems.
Documents all work in the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS).
Responds to and remediates hazard alerts, recall notifications, and incidents concerning medical equipment and clinical systems. Documents all actions in the appropriate system.
Monitors system backups, ensures network connectivity, mitigates cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and maintains clinical systems.
Utilizes test equipment in accordance with manufacturer instructions.
Manages projects involving medical equipment and clinical systems.
Provides customer support to staff, evaluates issues and needs, responds with solutions, and keeps customers abreast of status.
Educates staff on the safe operation and user-level maintenance of medical equipment and clinical systems.
Serves as a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) and/or purchase card holder.
Develops documentation to purchase commodities and/or vendor services. Manages, monitors, and evaluates contractor performance and addresses issues or deficiencies.
Complies with applicable standards, policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
Provides guidance and mentorship to expand professional knowledge and enhance technical skillsets.
Maintains and enhances knowledge in technological advancements through professional development and technical training.