Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (SPC)

Veterans Health Administration • Loma Linda, CA

21d • Onsite

About The Position

The Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (BESS) provides clinical and administrative support to staff, patients, and administrators for facility-wide lifecycle management of medical equipment. The work applies engineering and mechanical concepts to lifecycle management and technical support of diagnostic, therapeutic, monitoring, life-support, imaging, dialysis, and other equipment used in medical practice, including physical and network support of clinical systems.

The specialist coordinates with facility departments such as Facilities Management Service, the Office of Information Technology, Patient Safety, Sterile Processing Service, Logistics, Contracting, Informatics, and Environmental Management Service. Work includes equipment inspections and maintenance, end-of-life replacement planning, compliance with applicable safety codes, maintenance-system documentation, network troubleshooting, medical-device cybersecurity, software installation, recall response, contracting support, and participation in safety processes. The role also provides training and mentoring, maintains professional knowledge of medical technology, and may lead medical device or system installation and upgrade projects.

The position requires participation in the HTM on-call program. Work may occur in asbestos-containing areas and confined or interstitial spaces, with required personal protective equipment. Physical exertion such as lifting, standing, bending, and reaching is required. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; on-call work is required. Compressed or flexible scheduling, telework, and virtual work are not available. The vacancy’s full performance level is GS-11, with selection possible at GS-5 through GS-11.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• 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 DOD biomedical equipment technician training program; completion of qualifying DOD electronic-systems or IT 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 qualifying CBET, CRES, CLES, or CHTM certification. Applicable grandfathering provisions may also qualify current VHA employees.
• For GS-7: at least one year of creditable experience equivalent to GS-5, plus knowledge of physics, anatomy and physiology; electronics; standard test equipment; basic networking and information-security concepts; documentation in a CMMS; and ability to learn equipment operating and maintenance procedures.
• For GS-9: at least one year of creditable experience equivalent to GS-7, plus knowledge of ACL, TCP/IP, VLANs, computer and server hardware and software, and information security; ability to interpret technical data and schematics; ability to use standard test equipment; and ability to perform equipment maintenance and operating procedures.
• For GS-11: at least one year of creditable experience equivalent to GS-9, plus knowledge of NFPA, FDA, TJC, and AAMI standards; skill with test and calibration equipment and technical data; skill applying networking principles including ACL, TCP/IP, and VLANs; and ability to perform advanced troubleshooting, maintain medical computers and software, and manage medical equipment and clinical-system projects.
• Pass a pre-employment physical examination and, if selected for a testing-designated position, pre-appointment urinalysis.
• Meet applicable background and security investigation requirements and complete online onboarding and application-document requirements.
• Register with Selective Service if subject to the requirement for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program as required for VA health care personnel.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to the stated evaluation and written certification conditions for continued employment.
• Submit transcripts if relying on education to meet qualifications; foreign education must meet the stated equivalency and documentation requirements.
• Be able to wear required personal protective equipment when working in asbestos-containing areas and confined spaces; physical exertion including lifting, standing, bending, or reaching is required.

Responsibilities

• Manage the lifecycle of medical equipment and clinical systems, including imaging, life-support, dialysis, and monitoring systems, with physical and network support.
• Coordinate with facility support departments, including Facilities Management Service, Office of Information Technology, Patient Safety, Sterile Processing Service, Logistics, Contracting, Informatics, and Environmental Management Service.
• Perform incoming inspections and scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, and plan end-of-life equipment replacement with clinical services.
• Maintain knowledge of applicable safety codes and standards from bodies including TJC, NFPA, FDA, NRC, and AAMI.
• Document all work in the computerized maintenance management system (CMMS).
• Apply basic networking principles to resolve medical system communication problems, including node-to-server failures.
• Follow VA Medical Device Cyber Security policies and procedures during procurement, implementation, and the system lifecycle.
• Load operating-system and clinical-application software as needed.
• Follow VA policy when responding to network incidents, including infections or service loss resulting from policy changes.
• Serve as a Contracting Officer Representative (COR), maintain appropriate certification levels, prepare contracting documentation, and oversee vendor work.
• Function as a purchase card holder when required.
• Investigate, remediate, and document Repairable Medical Device (RMD) recalls.
• Participate in safety improvement activities, including Root Cause Analysis, safety work groups, and Environment of Care Rounds.
• Identify hazards during routine work and take action to ensure they are addressed and corrected.
• Maintain knowledge of developments in medical technology, including scientific advances, network protocols, and vendor changes.
• Pursue professional development in medical technology lifecycle management and technical skills.
• Provide training and education to medical technology end users and clinical staff, and mentor and technically train peers and developmental-level BESS staff.
• Lead or manage medical device and clinical-system installation or upgrade projects as assigned, including planning and coordination with end users, vendors, and onsite support staff.
• Participate in the HTM on-call program.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; eligibility and specific benefits depend on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior federal service or military service, subject to request and approval before appointment and not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

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