Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• English Language Proficiency: Biomedical Engineers must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a
• 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)
• Grandfathering Provision
• All persons employed in VHA in this occupation, on the effective date of this qualification standard, are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education, and/or certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation
• For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: (1)Such employees in an occupation that does not require a certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted, or demoted within the occupation
• (2)Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis, prior to the effective date of the qualification standard, may not have their temporary appointment extended, or be reappointed on a temporary, or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard
• (3)Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or certification/registration, that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard, must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation
• (4)If an employee, who was retained in an occupation listed in 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) under this provision, leaves that occupation, the employee loses protected status, and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation
• Grade Determinations: Supervisory Biomedical Engineer (Clinical), GS-12 (a) Experience
• Completion of at least [one] year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower level
• or completion of a post-doctoral research fellowship in the field of biomedical engineering, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level
• (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)
• In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 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
• Biomedical Engineer, GS-11 Assignment
• At the developmental level, employees function on a semi-independent basis with limited oversight by senior biomedical engineers
• They participate in medical device hazard investigations, to assure compliance with patient safety goals, the Safe Medical Devices Act (SMDA), TJC requirements, and assist in the development of an equipment management program at the medical center
• Employees may lead medical technology deployments, directly support medical equipment, or participate in research projects
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• i
• Ability to implement and/or sustain an equipment management or biomedical research program that meets The Joint Commission (TJC), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), or other applicable regulatory requirements.] ii
• Ability to develop material for a continuing education program for clinical or research staff, that address the principles and application of medical technology, and/or biomedical theory used in healthcare
• iii
• Ability to advise [ ] staff on emerging medical [ ] technology[, or research procedures], while keeping abreast of changes in such technology, and utilizing the information to solve biomedical engineering problems
• iv
• [Knowledge of basic project management principles, as applied to the healthcare setting and medical equipment, and information system implementation
• Preferred Experience: At least 1 year project management experience, medical device focus preferred Hands-On experience in medical device management and/or maintenance
• Demonstrated ability to work with cross functional teams with technical and non-technical representatives Demonstrated strong verbal and written communication skills
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is the GS-13
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service.