Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (BESS)

Veterans Health Administration • San Antonio, TX

8d • Onsite

About The Position

VA South Texas Health Care System's Clinical Engineering Service is hiring three Biomedical Equipment Support Specialists at Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans' Hospital. The role supports facility-wide lifecycle management of medical equipment and clinical systems, including troubleshooting, inspections, maintenance, documentation, safety notifications, connectivity and cybersecurity monitoring, projects, customer support, staff education, and contractor oversight. The position may serve as a Contracting Officer's Representative or purchase card holder and may develop documentation to purchase commodities or vendor services. The full performance level is GS-11; selections may be made at GS-05 through GS-11.

The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The position is not eligible for telework and is not virtual. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized. Employees must meet applicable federal employment, security, English proficiency, vaccination, onboarding, and trial-period conditions. Qualifications may be met through specified education, training, experience, or professional certifications, with grade-specific experience and knowledge requirements.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy for non-citizens.
• 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 specified Department of Defense biomedical equipment or electronic systems/information technology training, with one year of experience where required; completion of a biomedical engineering technician or Healthcare Technology Management certificate program, with an internship/apprenticeship or one year of experience where required; or current or prior qualifying CBET, CRES, CLES, or CHTM certification.
• GS-05: No experience or education beyond the basic requirements.
• GS-07: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade, plus knowledge of physics, anatomy and physiology; electronics; standard test equipment; basic networking and information security; documentation in a computerized maintenance management system; and ability to learn equipment procedures.
• GS-09: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade, plus knowledge of basic networking concepts, computer/server hardware and software, and information security; ability to interpret technical data and use standard test equipment; and ability to perform equipment maintenance and operating procedures.
• GS-11: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade, plus knowledge of relevant medical equipment standards; skill with test and calibration equipment, technical data, and networking principles; and ability to perform advanced troubleshooting, maintain medical computers and software, and manage projects.
• Selected applicants are subject to background/security investigation and may be required to pass a pre-employment physical examination based on organizational needs.
• Selected applicants must complete online onboarding and required application documentation; acceptable identification is required for pre-employment requirements.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
• A one- or two-year trial period is required, during which continued employment is evaluated.

Responsibilities

• Manage the lifecycle of medical equipment and clinical systems.
• Troubleshoot medical equipment and clinical systems using technical data and complete corrective actions.
• Perform incoming inspections and planned maintenance on medical equipment and clinical systems.
• Document work in computerized maintenance management systems.
• Respond to and remedy hazard alerts, recall notifications, and incidents concerning medical equipment and clinical systems.
• Monitor system backups to ensure network connectivity, mitigate cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and maintain clinical systems.
• Use test equipment in accordance with manufacturer instructions.
• Manage projects involving medical equipment and clinical systems.
• Provide customer support by evaluating staff issues and needs, responding with solutions, and communicating status.
• Educate staff on operation and user-level maintenance of medical equipment and clinical systems.
• Serve as a Contracting Officer's Representative and/or purchase card holder.
• Develop documentation to purchase commodities and vendor services.
• Manage, monitor, and evaluate contractor performance and address issues or deficiencies.
• Comply with applicable standards, policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to expand professional knowledge and technical skills.
• Maintain and enhance technical knowledge through professional development and technical training.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific benefits depend on position eligibility.
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior federal work or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

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