Healthcare Engineer

Veterans Health Administration • Washington, DC

12d • Onsite

About The Position

The Healthcare Engineer serves as a Project Engineer at an assigned Department of Veterans Affairs Healthcare System. The role plans projects, produces and manages designs, oversees construction, and provides construction administration for Minor Construction, Non-Recurring Maintenance (NRM), Station Level, and lease projects. Work may involve architectural, electrical, life-safety, mechanical, civil, structural, and other project disciplines across VA-owned and leased facilities.

The position assists with planning, design, and oversight of healthcare-system projects and administers professional architecture/engineering and construction contracts, ensuring compliance with contractual requirements, healthcare regulations and codes, specifications, schedules, and government requirements. It supports patient care through healthcare engineering and development and implementation of the environment-of-care program, particularly construction safety and infection control.

The engineer conducts or oversees surveys and site investigations; develops plans and specifications for renovations, additions, alterations, grounds, utility systems, and installation sites for complex medical equipment; manages project design and construction under VA policies and design standards; and performs construction management and post-project activities while maintaining building and utility services. The role participates across the project life cycle, from strategic planning and concept development through design, construction, completion, activation, and warranty periods.

The position determines project requirements for the healthcare system, including departments and off-site locations, assesses risks and mitigation measures, and selects temporary construction methods that protect patients and staff while maintaining medical care. It coordinates multidisciplinary projects and services, evaluates environmental, safety, and security compliance, and makes recommendations on feasible, cost-effective energy conservation measures in support of facility energy goals.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required, subject to the stated exception for appointments when qualified U.S. citizens cannot be recruited.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Engineering or Architecture from a qualifying accredited program, or a bachelor’s degree plus evidence of passing the Fundamentals of Engineering examination, or current professional registration/licensure as a Professional Engineer or Architect; applicable grandfathering provisions may also qualify current VHA employees.
• For GS-09, one year of qualifying experience at the next lower grade, or specified graduate education (including a master’s degree or qualifying graduate study) demonstrating the required competencies.
• For GS-11, one year of qualifying experience at the next lower grade, or specified doctoral or graduate education demonstrating the required competencies.
• For GS-12, one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade.
• Demonstrated knowledge of engineering or architectural principles and their application in healthcare environments, appropriate to the grade level.
• Ability to interpret and apply healthcare engineering codes, standards, policies, regulations, and guidelines, including relevant state and local codes.
• Knowledge of healthcare operations and the engineering needs of clinical services.
• At the GS-12 level, knowledge of healthcare industry standards and regulatory requirements, construction standards, methods, practices, materials, and equipment.
• At the GS-12 level, ability to research and analyze information and make sound engineering and business recommendations; plan and execute complex projects and inspections; and organize and lead multidisciplinary task forces.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, with tact and diplomacy, as applicable to the grade level.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Must complete required background/security investigation and onboarding requirements.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
• Must complete a one- or two-year trial period, subject to written certification for continued employment upon completion.
• Education used to qualify must be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; foreign education requires the stated foreign-equivalency documentation.
• Physical requirements are governed by VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Nice To Haves

• Preferred experience evaluating and managing healthcare project requirements from planning and design through construction and activation, for the parent healthcare site and off-site locations, based on organizational needs, standards, regulations, and mission priorities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the environment-of-care program in accordance with applicable Joint Commission, FDA, CAP, NFPA, and VA requirements, particularly for construction safety and infection control.
• Conduct or oversee surveys and site investigations to establish baseline information for renovations, alterations, and additions to healthcare facilities, grounds, utilities, and historic buildings.
• Develop plans and specifications for facility alterations and additions, utility systems, and sites for installation of complex medical equipment.
• Manage healthcare engineering project design and administer construction in accordance with VA policies, design guides and manuals, master specifications, and applicable codes and standards.
• Perform construction management and post-project activities while ensuring continuity of building and utility services for medical facility operations.
• Plan and execute capital asset and infrastructure projects from strategic planning and concept development through design, construction, and implementation.
• Coordinate construction activities and multidisciplinary project components through planning, design, construction, project completion, activation, and warranty periods.
• Determine project requirements for the healthcare system, including parent and off-site VA-owned or leased locations, based on organizational needs, standards, regulations, and mission priorities.
• Evaluate project risks and identify mitigation measures to complete construction safely within operating healthcare facilities while minimizing impacts on patient care.
• Determine temporary construction means and methods that protect patients and staff and maintain appropriate medical care during construction.
• Evaluate programs and projects for compliance with environmental, safety, and security standards.
• Research and analyze energy-conservation recommendations for feasibility and cost effectiveness in support of facility energy goals.
• Administer professional architecture/engineering and construction contracts and monitor contractor compliance with contractual requirements, regulations, codes, specifications, schedules, and government requirements.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for eligible employees and their families.
• Annual leave accrual may be credited for qualifying prior federal work or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level