Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist

Veterans Health Administration • Palo Alto, CA

7d • Onsite

About The Position

The Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (BESS) works within a Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) department at a VA facility in support of the medical equipment management program. The role troubleshoots and performs planned maintenance on a range of medical devices and clinical systems. The work schedule is 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. This is not a virtual position. The position is at the GS-5 to GS-11 grade range, with GS-11 as the full performance level.

The specialist manages medical equipment and clinical systems throughout their lifecycle; performs troubleshooting, maintenance, inspections, and documentation; supports hazard alert and recall remediation; applies basic networking concepts to medical-device computers and servers; and provides technical support and education to staff. Work is performed in accordance with applicable procedures, manufacturer instructions, standards, policies, and regulatory requirements.

Employment is subject to VA requirements, including U.S. citizenship (with limited exceptions under VA policy), written and spoken English proficiency, a background/security investigation, pre-employment drug screening for tentatively selected applicants in testing-designated positions, and seasonal influenza vaccination. A one- or two-year trial period is required. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized.

Requirements

• Meet one of the listed basic qualification pathways: an associate or higher degree in biomedical technology or biomedical engineering; an associate or higher degree in electronics, information technology, or another engineering field plus one year of creditable experience; completion of a qualifying Department of Defense biomedical equipment technician training program; completion of qualifying 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 current or prior certification as a CBET, CRES, CLES, or CHTM. A qualifying grandfathering provision may also apply to eligible current VHA employees.
• Submit a transcript or certificate to document education used to meet the basic requirements. Education must be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and from an accredited institution; foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with the transcript.
• Be a U.S. citizen, except where non-citizen appointment is permitted under VA policy when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Complete a background/security investigation and required online onboarding; provide acceptable identification for pre-employment requirements.
• Participate in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period.
• For GS-07: Have one year of creditable experience equivalent to GS-05 and demonstrate knowledge of physics, anatomy and physiology; electronics; standard test equipment; basic networking concepts; and CMMS documentation, along with the ability to learn equipment operating and maintenance procedures.
• For GS-09: Have one year of creditable experience equivalent to GS-07 and demonstrate knowledge of basic networking concepts including ACL, TCP/IP, and VLAN; computer and server hardware and software; ability to interpret technical data; ability to use standard test equipment; and ability to perform equipment maintenance and operating procedures.
• For GS-11: Have one year of creditable experience equivalent to GS-09 and demonstrate knowledge of applicable medical-equipment standards; skill using test and calibration equipment, interpreting technical data, and applying networking principles; and ability to perform advanced troubleshooting of equipment and interfaces, maintain medical computers and software, and manage equipment and clinical-system projects.

Responsibilities

• Manage the lifecycle of medical equipment and clinical systems.
• Troubleshoot medical equipment and clinical systems using technical information to identify problems and complete corrective actions.
• Perform planned maintenance on medical equipment and clinical systems in accordance with applicable procedures and manufacturer instructions.
• Assist with incoming inspections of medical equipment and clinical systems.
• Document maintenance, inspections, corrective actions, and other completed work in the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS).
• Assist with remediation and documentation of medical equipment hazard alerts and recall notifications affecting the facility.
• Apply basic networking concepts to computer and server hardware and software used with medical devices and clinical systems, consistent with applicable medical device protection requirements.
• Use test equipment in accordance with manufacturer instructions and follow applicable standards, policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements when performing technical work.
• Provide technical customer support to staff by evaluating equipment-related issues and needs, responding with solutions, and communicating work status.
• Educate staff on safe operation and user-level maintenance of medical equipment and clinical systems, as appropriate to assigned grade and level of responsibility.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; employees and their families have access to a range of benefits.
• Eligible selected applicants may request credit for prior work or military service when determining annual leave accrual; approval is not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

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