Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist

Veterans Health Administration•Columbia, MO

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (BESS) works in the Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) department at the Truman VA and supports the medical equipment management program. The role manages the lifecycle of medical equipment and clinical systems, troubleshoots issues, and performs planned maintenance, incoming inspections, and corrective actions. Work is documented in a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS). The specialist responds to equipment hazard alerts and recalls, supports clinical staff by evaluating needs and resolving issues, and educates staff on safe equipment operation and user-level maintenance. The role applies basic networking concepts in accordance with the VHA Medical Device Protection Program, follows applicable standards and regulatory requirements, uses test equipment according to manufacturer instructions, and develops purchasing documentation for commodities or vendor services. It also monitors and evaluates contractor performance and addresses deficiencies. The position is within the Excepted Service and has a full-performance level of GS-11; selection may be made at GS-05 through GS-11. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, with various schedules to be discussed at interview. Telework and virtual work are not available. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized. 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 written and spoken English.
Meet one of the listed basic education, training, experience, or certification pathways: an associate's or higher degree in biomedical technology or biomedical engineering; an associate's or higher degree in electronics, information technology, or another engineering field plus one year of creditable experience; completion of qualifying Department of Defense biomedical equipment technician or electronic systems/information technology training (the latter plus one year of creditable experience); completion of a biomedical engineering technician or HTM certificate program with internship or apprenticeship; completion of such a certificate program without internship plus one year of creditable experience; or current/former qualifying CBET, CRES, CLES, or CHTM certification. Certain grandfathering provisions apply to eligible current VHA employees.
For GS-07: at least one year of creditable experience equivalent to GS-05, plus the specified knowledge and skills in physics, anatomy and physiology, electronics, standard test equipment, basic networking, CMMS documentation, and ability to learn equipment procedures.
For GS-09: at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-07, plus the specified knowledge of networking and computer systems, ability to interpret technical data, use standard test equipment, and perform equipment maintenance and operating procedures.
For GS-11: at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-09, plus knowledge of relevant safety and medical-equipment standards, skill with test and calibration equipment and technical data, networking skills, and ability to perform advanced troubleshooting, maintain medical computers and software, and manage projects.
Creditable experience must be associated with the healthcare industry and directly applicable to the assignment or a related field, and may be paid or unpaid.
Meet pre-employment requirements, including applicable background/security investigation, drug testing for tentatively selected applicants in testing-designated positions, onboarding, acceptable identification, and seasonal influenza vaccination requirements.
Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
Provide references with the application, including at least two current or former supervisors or professional references, and indicate whether the hiring manager may contact them.
Serve a one- or two-year trial period; continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest.
Education used to qualify must be from an institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency.

Nice To Haves

Certification as a Certified Biomedical Equipment Technician (CBET).
Certification as a Certified Laboratory Equipment Specialist (CLES).
Net+ certification.
A+ certification.

Responsibilities

Manage the lifecycle of medical equipment and clinical systems.
Troubleshoot medical equipment and clinical systems using technical data and complete corrective actions.
Perform planned maintenance and incoming inspections on medical equipment and clinical systems.
Document work in the computerized maintenance management system (CMMS).
Respond to and document remediation of hazard alerts and recall notifications affecting facility medical equipment.
Provide customer support to staff by evaluating issues and needs, responding with solutions, and communicating status.
Educate staff on safe operation and user-level maintenance of medical equipment and clinical systems.
Apply basic networking concepts in accordance with the VHA Medical Device Protection Program.
Use test equipment according to manufacturer instructions.
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.