Description

Opening and Closing Dates: 12/07/2023 - 01/11/2024

This is a remote position. Occasional travel (25% or less) is expected to sites within the VISN.

VISN 20 covers the four-state region of Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. VISN 20 is comprised of 8 medical centers ranging in complexity from level 3 to level 1A and provides extensive primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary care in outpatient, inpatient, residential, and community settings.

As a Biomedical Engineer for the VA Northwest Health Network (VISN 20), the incumbent provides professional engineering and Network Risk Pool support to Healthcare Technology Management VISN Integrated Program (VIP). The VIP includes healthcare technology strategic planning, pre-purchase assessment, acquisition support, implementation coordination, equipment management, training, and ongoing technical support. The VIP encompasses the Network Risk Pool, intended to streamline biomedical services and maximize distribution of VIP resources as close as possible to the veterans' point of care.

The incumbent supports the VA's mission and VIP goals while operating in accordance with VISN policies, biomedical policies, and standards of professional service. He/She acts as a consultant and advisor on healthcare technology matters to medical centers, clinical service lines, and facility leadership within the VISN. He/she consults with and provides guidance to technical staff in Biomedical Engineering Programs within the VISN. The incumbent assists in the operation, maintenance, and management of the Network Risk Pool. The Biomedical Engineer works under minimal guidance from VISN 20 Chief Healthcare Technology Manager (CHTM) on matters pertaining to Biomedical Engineering technology management, program operations, and effective delivery of services.

The Biomedical Engineer supports healthcare technologies that extend across the VISN. As such, he/she will spend time physically at each location, as well as provide technical support virtually from his/her location within VISN 20.

The Biomedical Engineer is recognized as a technical expert and advisor on Biomedical Engineering for Medical staff, logistics staff, and facility leadership. He/she is responsible for providing assistance to the clinical staff in selection, deployment, and utilization of medical equipment. The Biomedical Engineer advises the VISN CHTM and management staff in the areas of high-cost and high- volume medical technology, the networking of medical technology, a wide array of general biomedical technology, and specific healthcare technology issues.

The Biomedical Engineer supports the Office of Healthcare Technology Management (10NA9) and the VA Modernization efforts in leading the Configuration and Technology Workgroups for all enterprise Biomedical Engineering programs for ECG Cardiology Management Systems, RTLS Cath Lab and Sterile Processing workflows, Physiological Monitoring and Vital Signs Monitors. He/she will serve as technical expert and provide counsel to VA facilities on readiness measures pertaining to medical system standardization and configuration. The Biomedical Engineer also supports the Office of Healthcare Technology Management (10NA9) in the HTM Scope of Services workgroup with ensuring that the enterprise configuration aligns with the enterprise HTM Scope of Services.

The Biomedical Engineer leads technology assessment of medical equipment systems by working collaboratively with medical staff to evaluate market offerings, determine VISN requirements, design system configurations, and develop specifications. These technology assessments are often extremely complex and stakeholder intensive. He/she works collaboratively with the Contracting staff to procure medical equipment that best meets clinical needs on balance with competitive processes and value considerations. The Biomedical Engineer coordinates implementation of medical technology including assessing site preparation requirements, managing project activities and timelines, monitoring installations, and facilitating training of equipment operators and maintainers. While the Biomedical Engineer primarily supports healthcare technology across the VISN, he/she occasionally supports local facility initiatives.

To view details and duties specific to this position, please go to the USAJOBS posting at USAJobs - VISN 20 BME. 

 Current VA employees interested in this position should check USAJOBS for internal postings before applying. 

Requirements

Basic Requirements:
a. Citizenship.[Be] a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with [VA Handbook 5005, Part II,] chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3.g.)

b. Education and/or Experience. The individual must meet either item (1) or (2) below to meet this requirement:

(1) Bachelor's Degree or Higher in Engineering. To be creditable, the curriculum must be from a school of engineering with at least one curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), as a professional engineering curriculum. Examples of acceptable engineering degrees include: Biomedical Engineering, Clinical Engineering, Bioengineering, Biomechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Biochemical Engineering. Titles may vary from educational institutions and change over time.
OR,
(2) Certification as a Certified Clinical Engineer (CCE) and a bachelor's degree not listed in item 3.b.(1) above.

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Grade Determinations:

Biomedical Engineer (Clinical), GS-14
(a) Experience. Completion of at least [one] year of experience equivalent to the next lower level, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level.

(b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities[. In addition to the experience above, the biomedical engineer (clinical) must demonstrate all of the following KSAs. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*):]
i. [*][Ability to apply advanced knowledge of relevant codes, regulations, guidelines, and standards associated with biomedical engineering to support the needs of multiple facilities.
ii. Ability to effectively convey highly technical information to] a wide variety of individuals, including technical and professional clinical staff, and senior level managers at the facility, VISN and/or national level.
iii. *Ability to manage a recall and safety alert program for medical devices, including medical device incident investigations to assure compliance with patient safety goals, SMDA, and [TJC requirements for multiple facilities.]
iv. [ ] Ability to apply advanced knowledge of principles, theories, concepts, and practices of biomedical engineering. This would include the ability to keep abreast of changes in technology and utilize the information gained in the solution of biomedical engineering problems to meet operational needs of multiple facilities.
v. *Ability to directly support the most complex and specialized clinical technology including service, system administration, training, and quality assurance for multiple facilities.
vi. [*Ability to work collaboratively with other disciplines, senior management, VHA Central Office, and VISN staff.
vii. Ability to develop and implement healthcare technology management policies that are consistent with organizational objectives. Scope of organization spans from multiple facilities to national.

(c) Assignment.
For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. At this level, employees are non-supervisory and are typically at the VISN or National Program Offices. At the VISN level, employees must have notable ongoing responsibilities, as assigned by the VISN and/or Healthcare Technology Management Program Office. Major duties must include at least four of the following major responsibilities:

i. Supports and advances patient care by applying engineering and managerial skills to healthcare technology across the VISN, or nationally.

ii. Assists and advises facilities in the implementation of an equipment management program that meets current TJC and NFPA requirements. Evaluates other biomedical engineering programs in the VISN or the national program office.

iii. Assures provision of a continuing education program for professional staff addressing the principles and application of healthcare technology management. This includes a curriculum that addresses the safe and effective management of medical equipment and/or technology. Provides continuing education on behalf of the VISN and/or the national program office.

iv. Provides support and oversight for a recall and safety alert program for medical devices in the VISN, or for the national program office, including medical device incident investigations, to ensure compliance with patient safety goals, SMDA, and TJC requirements. Conducts medical equipment investigations for the VISN or the national program office.

v. Serves as a subject matter expert advisor to senior VISN or national clinical and leadership staff on medical technology crossing multiple clinical disciplines, including existing and emerging technology, addressing viability, long-term suitability, compatibility, and/or safety.

vi. Conducts and/or supports capital asset and infrastructure planning of medical technology found in a hospital, spanning initial concept, installation, and effective implementation of complex medical equipment.

vii. Implementation of complex medical technology. Participates in capital asset planning at the VISN and/or national level. Analyzes organizational and operational problems and develops timely and economical solutions to meet facility, VISN, and/or national needs.

viii. Serves as an institutional expert supporting the most complex and specialized clinical technology, including service, system administration, training, sustainment, and quality assurance across multiple facilities.

ix. Develops national policy for the Healthcare Technology Management Program Office. Serves as a senior technology advisor to assist the Healthcare Technology Management Program Office with technology and program management.

References: VA Handbook 5005/104 March 25, 2019 PART II APPENDIX G38

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-14.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019