Supervisory Biomedical Engineer (Clinical)

Veterans Health Administration • North Little Rock, AR

8d • Onsite

About The Position

This position serves as the Deputy Chief Biomedical Engineer and is responsible for the professional and administrative management of the Clinical Engineering Section, Facilities Management Service, at the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System. The role advises the Chief Biomedical Engineer and Medical Center on biomedical engineering matters, supports section staffing and policy decisions, and manages programs and projects involving healthcare technology and clinical equipment. The position is full-time, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; the schedule may change based on service needs. Telework and virtual work are not available.

The engineer supports equipment management and medical-device safety programs, including equipment planning, selection, installation, application, maintenance, recalls, safety alerts, and incident investigations. The role also assists with major biomedical engineering projects and coordinates with clinical and facility leaders, employees, contractors, other VA facilities and agencies, academia, and industry.

The position requires a bachelor's degree or higher in an eligible engineering discipline from a qualifying accredited engineering program, or a bachelor's degree in another field together with Certified Clinical Engineer certification. Candidates must meet the GS-13 experience and competency criteria, including at least one year of qualifying experience at the next lower level. The work is performed in an office/clinic setting and can involve managing multiple tasks in stressful situations. Physical activities may include standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Bachelor's degree or higher in engineering from a school with at least one ABET-accredited professional engineering curriculum; acceptable disciplines include biomedical, clinical, bioengineering, biomechanical, electrical, mechanical, and biochemical engineering; OR a bachelor's degree not listed above and Certified Clinical Engineer (CCE) certification.
• If appointed based on CCE certification, maintain certification throughout employment.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower level and meeting the KSAs for that level.
• Knowledge of local-level management of department resources, including finances, space, equipment, supplies, and staffing.
• Ability to draft or recommend local healthcare technology management policies or directives.
• Ability to balance multiple responsibilities, set priorities, delegate tasks, meet deadlines, analyze organizational problems, and implement effective solutions.
• Ability to analyze organizational and operational problems and use data to manage workload, quality, performance, and productivity.
• Interpersonal skills for leading and working with employees, team leaders, and managers, including conflict management, dispute resolution, mediation, or reasonable accommodations.
• Meet VA pre-employment conditions, including applicable drug testing, background/security investigation, onboarding and identification requirements, physical evaluation, and seasonal influenza vaccination.
• Register for Selective Service if applicable to male applicants born after December 31, 1959.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to written certification for continued employment.
• For foreign education used to qualify, provide the required foreign equivalency documentation; qualifying education must be from an institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Nice To Haves

• Experience managing technology life cycles and medical-device recall and alert programs.
• Experience directing clinical equipment quality assurance, including incoming inspection and acceptance testing, performance and safety testing, calibration, and maintenance and repair programs.
• Experience managing biomedical projects for equipment installation, repair, and system upgrades to optimize clinical workflow and patient safety.
• Experience coordinating service agreements and in-house operations.
• Experience providing technical expertise during equipment procurement reviews.
• Experience investigating medical-device hazards and incidents.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a consultant to the Chief Biomedical Engineer and Medical Center on biomedical engineering and related issues.
• Assist in determining organizational changes in key Clinical Engineering Section positions.
• Communicate agency and local policies and priorities to section employees.
• Maintain labor/management relations and ensure effective implementation of performance standards, EEO policies, and personnel-related rules and regulations.
• Develop methods or propose policies for professional engineers at the facility and within the VISN.
• Assist with development of long-range plans for new and complex programs.
• Manage special projects involving major office or program issues and develop initiatives to strengthen, facilitate, and integrate programs.
• Assist with an equipment management program that meets The Joint Commission and NFPA requirements, including planning, selection, consultation, installation, application, and maintenance.
• Assist in managing equipment recalls and safety alerts, including medical-device incident investigations, to support compliance with patient-safety goals, SMDA, and TJC requirements.
• Assist the Chief Biomedical Engineer in coordinating procurement, planning, construction, installation, and in-service training for major biomedical engineering projects.
• Develop alternative approaches to meet section objectives when guidelines are not prescriptive or technical, economic, and other factors complicate decision-making.
• Work with CAVHS leadership, service chiefs, employees and representatives, contractors, engineers, architects, public-sector departments, other VAMCs, VISN and VACO personnel, national HTM and HEPG personnel, federal agencies, academia, industry, and the private sector.
• Manage department resources, including finances, space, equipment, supplies, and staffing.
• Draft or recommend local healthcare technology management policies or directives.
• Prioritize and delegate work, meet deadlines, analyze organizational and operational problems, and implement effective solutions.
• Use data to manage workload, quality, performance, productivity, and operational efficiency.
• Lead and work with employees, team leaders, and managers, including resolving conflicts and disputes, mediation, and reasonable accommodations.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and regular salary increases; a higher step rate may be considered for higher or unique qualifications or VA special needs.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, comprising 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to approval.
• Up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 12 months of employment for birth, adoption, or foster-care placement of a child.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other eligibility limits.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and federal 401(k) contributions of up to 5%.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term care insurance; many federal insurance programs may be carried into retirement.

What This Job Offers

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