Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (Information Systems)

Veterans Health Administration • Atlanta, GA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

Serves as a Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (BESS) specializing in information systems within the Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) department at the Joseph M. Cleland VA Healthcare System, including CBOCs, in support of the medical equipment management program. In addition to duties at the full-performance level, the specialist maintains medical servers and networks, diagnostic software, virtual platforms, and clinical applications software.

The position coordinates with facility support departments, manages and maintains medical information systems, evaluates the compatibility of medical equipment and clinical systems with electronic health records and other clinical systems, documents work in the computerized maintenance management system (CMMS), and develops and oversees vendor-related contract documentation and work. The specialist complies with applicable standards and requirements and focuses on professional development in medical technology lifecycle management.

The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and may change based on agency needs. Ad hoc telework is available in accordance with agency policy; this is not a virtual position. The full-performance level is GS-12. The role requires one year of creditable experience equivalent to GS-11 and the specified education, training, or certification pathway. A one- or two-year trial period is required.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception under VA policy for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• One year of creditable experience equivalent to GS-11.
• Meet at least one basic qualification pathway: an associate degree or higher in biomedical technology or biomedical engineering; an associate degree or higher in electronics, information technology, or another engineering field plus one year of creditable experience; completion of the relevant Department of Defense biomedical equipment technician training program; completion of relevant DOD electronic systems or information technology repair and maintenance training plus one year of creditable experience; completion of a biomedical engineering technician or HTM certificate program with an internship or apprenticeship; completion of such a certificate program without an internship plus one year of creditable experience; or holding or having held CBET, CRES, CLES, or CHTM certification. A qualifying grandfathering provision may apply to eligible current VHA employees.
• Knowledge of Health Level 7 (HL7) and Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) standards.
• Knowledge of advanced testing methods for troubleshooting networked medical equipment and clinical system interfaces.
• Skill in maintaining computer- and server-based medical equipment, databases, and software.
• Skill in managing medical equipment and clinical system projects that interface with an electronic health record or other information systems.
• Skill in applying cybersecurity standards to medical devices and clinical systems, including FDA, FISMA, and NIST guidelines.
• Ability to use information security tools, including virus protection, software updates, and operating system patches.
• Ability to establish a medical network, including VLAN configuration, IP addressing, and network security.
• Pass a pre-employment physical examination and, if tentatively selected for a testing-designated position, urinalysis screening for illegal drug use.
• Meet background and security investigation requirements, complete online onboarding and application requirements, and provide acceptable identification for pre-employment requirements.
• Register for Selective Service if a male born after December 31, 1959.
• Participate in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period; continued employment after the trial period requires written certification that it advances the public interest.
• Use only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited institutions; foreign education used to qualify requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with transcripts.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and work effectively with facility support departments, including Facilities Management Service, Office of Information Technology, Sterile Processing Service, and Environmental Management Service.
• Manage and maintain medical servers and networks, diagnostic software, virtual platforms, and clinical applications software.
• Evaluate the compatibility and adaptability of medical equipment and clinical systems for integration with the electronic health record or other clinical systems.
• Document all work performed in the computerized maintenance management system (CMMS).
• Develop statements of work, sole-source justifications, and other applicable documentation using knowledge of government contract procedures, and oversee vendor work.
• Pursue professional development in medical technology lifecycle management, including technical skills.
• Comply with applicable standards, policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package available to the employee and family, subject to position eligibility.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual for qualifying prior federal service or military service, subject to request and approval before appointment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Associate degree