Lead Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist

Veterans Health Administration • Augusta, GA

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Lead Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (BESS) works within a Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) department, providing lifecycle management and technical support for diagnostic, therapeutic, monitoring, and other medical equipment used by doctors, nurses, and other clinical staff throughout the VA. In addition to full-performance duties, the Lead BESS guides HTM staff, distributes and prioritizes workloads, supports staff development, monitors program performance, and contributes technical expertise to committees, projects, and workgroups.

The position manages medical equipment and clinical systems throughout their lifecycle, including assessing technology, defining equipment requirements, evaluating alternatives with clinical users, troubleshooting, performing incoming inspections and planned maintenance, documenting work in the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS), and coordinating responses to hazard alerts, recalls, and incidents. It applies networking principles to monitor backups, maintain connectivity, address cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and support clinical systems.

The Lead BESS provides customer support and education, manages equipment-related projects, prepares purchase documentation, and monitors contractor performance. The position coordinates with Biomedical Engineers and facility support departments, including Engineering, the Office of Information Technology, Patient Safety, and Sterile Processing. The work schedule is 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The position is not virtual.

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 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 program; completion of a qualifying DOD electronic systems or IT repair and maintenance program 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.
• For GS-12, one year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade.
• Demonstrate knowledge of standards for safe medical equipment and clinical system operation, including NFPA, FDA, NRC, TJC, and AAMI standards as applicable to the grade.
• Demonstrate skill in managing projects involving medical equipment and clinical systems and resolving customer concerns.
• Demonstrate the ability to lead staff in managing daily assignments and priorities, mentor staff, and analyze data to monitor program effectiveness.
• Meet applicable pre-employment evaluation, background/security investigation, onboarding, and identification requirements.
• Participate in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, as applicable.
• Meet physical requirements referenced in VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Responsibilities

• Provide guidance and mentorship to HTM staff for professional and technical development.
• Facilitate training to develop HTM staff knowledge of medical equipment and clinical systems.
• Establish and revise workload distribution to address daily priorities.
• Monitor metrics, analyze data, and support performance improvement activities.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on assigned committees, projects, and workgroups.
• Apprise management of HTM staff performance and conduct.
• Identify opportunities to improve customer service and satisfaction, and address customer feedback in a timely manner.
• Serve as a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR).
• Serve as a Government Purchase Card (GPC) holder, approving official, or alternate approving official.
• Maintain and enhance technical knowledge through professional development and training.
• Manage the lifecycle of medical equipment and clinical systems, including technology assessments, defining requirements, and analyzing alternatives with clinical users.
• Troubleshoot medical equipment and clinical systems using technical data and complete corrective actions.
• Perform incoming inspections and planned maintenance in accordance with the facility medical equipment management program.
• Document work in the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) and document related actions in the appropriate system.
• Coordinate with Biomedical Engineers to respond to and remediate hazard alerts, recall notifications, and incidents involving medical equipment and clinical systems.
• Apply networking principles to monitor system backups, ensure network connectivity, mitigate cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and maintain clinical systems.
• Use common biomedical equipment test equipment in accordance with manufacturer instructions.
• Manage projects involving medical equipment and clinical systems.
• Provide customer support, evaluate issues and needs, deliver solutions, and keep customers informed of status.
• Educate staff on safe operation and user-level maintenance of medical equipment and clinical systems.
• Develop documentation to purchase commodities and vendor services.
• Manage, monitor, and evaluate contractor performance and address issues or deficiencies.
• Maintain knowledge of and comply with applicable standards, policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate and work effectively with facility support and operations departments, including Engineering, OIT, Patient Safety, and Sterile Processing.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefit eligibility depends on position type and other factors.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual for qualifying prior federal work or military service, subject to request and approval before appointment.

What This Job Offers

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