Supervisory Biomedical Engineer (Clinical)

Basic Requirements:

U.S. Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

Education and/or Experience:

• 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.

OR,

• Certification as a Certified Clinical Engineer (CCE) and a Bachelor's Degree not listed above. Certification means having successfully passed a CCE written and oral examination administered by the American College of Clinical Engineering. If appointed with a CCE requirement, the employee must maintain certification throughout employment. The American College of Clinical Engineering determines acceptable educational preparation and degree requirements for CCE eligibility. **CCE Certification MUST be attached to application if using CCE as part of basic qualification.

English Language Proficiency. Biomedical Engineers must be proficient in spoken and written English.

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: In addition to the basic requirements, the following education and experience criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates:

GS-13: Experience. Completion of at least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower level, and must be fully meet the KSAs at that level.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities from the next lower level:
i. Ability to conduct a medical equipment management [or biomedical research program that is compliant with applicable healthcare standards and regulatory agencies.
ii. Ability to develop a curriculum for a continuing education program, that address the safe and effective use of medical technology, and/or research devices.
iii. Ability to manage a recall and safety alert program for medical devices, including medical device hazard investigations, to assure compliance with patient safety goals, SMDA, and TJC requirements.[iv. Ability to conduct capital asset and infrastructure planning for medical equipment spanning initial concept, installation, and effective implementation of complex medical equipment.
v. Ability to function as the subject matter expert in the field of biomedical engineering, directly supporting specialized clinical technology, including service, system administration, training, quality assurance, and life-cycle management.
vi. Ability to effectively advise clinical and administrative staff on medical technology, including existing and emerging technology, which addresses viability, long-term suitability, compatibility, and/or safety.
vii. Knowledge of concepts related to computer based medical systems, networking protocols, and information security as it applies to medical technology within VHA.
viii. Skill in communicating and working collaboratively with key stakeholders, including technical and professional staff at various levels of the organization.
ix. Ability to apply project management principles to deployment of medical equipment and health information technologies.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: In addition the experience and KSAs listed above, the candidate must also demonstrate all of the following GS-13 grade level KSA's:
i. Knowledge of the management of overall department resources, i.e., finances, space, equipment, supplies, and staffing at the local level.
ii. Ability to draft and/or recommend local policies and/or directives related to healthcare technology management.
iii. Ability to balance multiple responsibilities, set priorities, delegate tasks, meet multiple deadlines, analyze organizational problems, and develop and implement effective solutions.
iv. Ability to analyze organizational and operational problems to develop and implement solutions that result in efficient operations, and use data effectively to manage workload, quality, performance, and productivity within the area of responsibility.
v. Skill in interpersonal relationships in leading and dealing with employees, team leaders, and managers, both within and outside the biomedical engineering program, to include conflict management, dispute resolution, mediation, or reasonable accommodations.

Creditable Professional Engineering Experience. To be creditable, experience must have been accomplished after receipt of the bachelor's degree, and/or CCE certification, and requires the possession and use of knowledge, skills, and abilities associated within the scope of the biomedical engineering profession. Additionally, the experience must have been attained in a healthcare setting for Biomedical Engineer (Clinical) positions, or a research setting for Biomedical Engineer (Research) positions, and be directly applicable to the assignment.

References: VA Handbook 5005, Appendix G38.

Preferred Criteria:

• Experience with a variety of planning activities which include, but are not limited to:
  • Managing tech life cycles and the recall and alert program for medical devices.
  • Directing the quality assurance program for clinical equipment, to include incoming inspection/acceptance testing, performance and safety testing, calibration, and maintenance and repair programs.
  • Managing biomedical projects to support equipment installation, repair, and system upgrades to optimize clinical work flow and patient safety.
  • Coordination of service agreements and in-house operations.
  • Providing technical expertise during equipment procurement review processes.
  • Creating and/or modifying policies and procedures to ensure compliance, interpretation of technical specifications, standards, and guidelines according to Joint Commission, NFPA, CAP, FDA, SMDA, UL, OSHA, etc.
  • Investigating medical device hazards and incidents.

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-13.

Physical Requirements: The work may require light lifting (under 15lbs) and working closely with others. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019