Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist

Veterans Health Administration • Columbia, MO

23h • Onsite

About The Position

Serves as a Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (BESS) within the Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) department at the Truman VA. Supports the medical equipment management program. Troubleshoots and performs planned maintenance on a range of medical devices and clinical systems.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing-designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use before appointment.
• Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements.
• Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.
• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• English Language Proficiency: Proficient in written and spoken English.
• Associate's or higher degree in the biomedical technology or biomedical engineering field; OR Associate's or higher degree in electronics, a field of information technology, or engineering (other than biomedical engineering) AND 1 year of creditable experience; OR, Completion of the Department of Defense (DOD) biomedical equipment technician training program; OR, Completion of a DOD training program in repair and maintenance of electronic systems or information technology AND 1 year of creditable experience; OR, Completion of a biomedical engineering technician or Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) certificate program that included an internship or apprenticeship; OR, Completion of biomedical engineering technician or HTM certificate program that did not include an internship AND 1 year of creditable experience; OR, 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).
• Continuous maintenance of certification is not required throughout VHA employment.
• May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).
• Knowledge of physics, anatomy, and physiology.
• Knowledge of electronics such as analog, digital, and microprocessor theory.
• Knowledge of the use of standard level test equipment such as multi- meters, electrical safety analyzers, patient simulators, storage oscilloscopes, manometers, and tachometers.
• Knowledge of basic networking concepts, such as computer and server hardware and software functionality, information technologies and computer virus protection software, available software patches and upgrades, and information security tools (for example, Microsoft Office, Windows operating systems, and McAfee).
• Skill in documenting all services provided in support of medical equipment and clinical systems in a computerized maintenance management system.
• Ability to learn equipment operating and maintenance procedures.
• Knowledge of basic networking concepts including Access Control List (ACL), Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), and Virtual Local Area Networks (VLAN).
• Knowledge of computer and server hardware and software functionality including virus protection, operating system patches and upgrades, and information security tools.
• Ability to interpret a variety of technical data such as schematic drawings, wiring diagrams, table charts, mathematical expressions, and formulas.
• Ability to use standard level test equipment including multi-meters, electrical safety analyzers, patient simulators, storage oscilloscopes, manometers, and tachometers.
• Ability to perform equipment maintenance and operating procedures.
• Knowledge of 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 using test and calibration equipment including digital multi- meters, electrical safety analyzers, defibrillator analyzers, patient simulators, manometers, tachometers, and Local Area Network (LAN) analyzers.
• Skill in interpreting a variety of technical data, including schematic drawings and wiring diagrams.
• Skill in applying networking principles, such as Access Control List (ACL), Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), and Virtual Local Area Networks (VLAN).
• Ability to perform advanced testing to troubleshoot medical equipment and clinical system interfaces.
• Ability to maintain medical computers and software.
• Ability to manage projects involving medical equipment and clinical systems.

Nice To Haves

• Certification as a Certified Biomedical Equipment Technician (CBET), Certified Laboratory Equipment Specialist (CLES), Net+ and A+ are highly desirable but not required.

Responsibilities

• Manages the lifecycle management of medical equipment and clinical systems.
• Troubleshoots medical equipment and clinical systems using a variety of technical data and completes corrective action.
• Performs planned maintenance on medical equipment and clinical systems.
• Performs incoming inspections on medical equipment and clinical systems.
• Documents all work in the Computerized Maintenance Management (CMMS).
• Responds with remediation and documentation of hazard alerts and recall notifications concerning medical equipment impacting the facility.
• Provides customer support to staff, evaluates issues and needs, responds with solutions, and keeps customers abreast of status.
• Complies with applicable standards, policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Utilizes basic networking concepts in accordance with the VHA Medical Device Protection Program (MDPP), such as computer and server hardware and software used in conjunction with medical devices and clinical systems.
• Utilizes test equipment in accordance with manufacturer instructions.
• Educates staff on the safe operation and user-level maintenance of medical equipment and clinical systems.
• Develops documentation to purchase commodities and/or vendor services.
• Manages, monitors, and evaluates contractor performance and addresses issues or deficiencies.

Benefits

• A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.
• As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.

What This Job Offers

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