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 chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part
• 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 1
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment listed above the following education and experience criteria must be met
• Biomedical Engineer, GS-07 (Entry Level): Experience: None beyond the basic requirements
• Education: Bachelor's degree as outlined in section1 of the basic requirements, or CCE certification with at least a bachelor's degree not listed in section 1 of the basic requirements
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: None beyond the basic requirements
• Biomedical Engineer, GS-09 (Developmental Level 1): Experience: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower level
• OR, Education: Master's degree in Biomedical Engineering, or a related field of study
• OR, Bachelor's degree, as outlined under the basic requirements, education, section 1
• Plus two full years of progressively higher level graduate education in a related field of study, provided the applicant's total background demonstrates the KSAs for the GS-9 level assignment
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of the principles, theories, concepts, and practices of the Biomedical Engineering profession
• Ability to interpret relevant codes, regulations, guidelines, and standards, and make recommendations to ensure compliance with medical center programs
• Ability to understand the operational needs of clinical services in the health care system
• Ability to prepare material on current technical topics and trends, for presentation to other technical staff and mid-level hospital management, and the ability to keep abreast of changes in technology
• Biomedical Engineer, GS-11 (Developmental Level 2): Experience
• At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower level and must fully meet the KSA's at the level
• OR, Education: Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree in Biomedical Engineering, or a related field of engineering, as outlined under the basic requirements, education, section 1, listed above
• OR, Bachelor's degree, plus three full years of progressively higher level graduate education in a related field of study, as outlined under the basic requirements, education, section 1, listed above
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 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
• 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
• 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
• Knowledge of basic project management principles, as applied to the healthcare setting and medical equipment, and information system implementation
• Biomedical Engineer, GS-12 (Full Performance Level): 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
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Ability to conduct a medical equipment management or biomedical research program that is compliant with applicable healthcare standards and regulatory agencies
• Ability to develop a curriculum for a continuing education program, that address the safe and effective use of medical technology, and/or research devices
• 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
• Ability to conduct capital asset and infrastructure planning for medical equipment spanning initial concept, installation, and effective implementation of complex medical equipment
• 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
• 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
• Knowledge of concepts related to computer based medical systems, networking protocols, and information security as it applies to medical technology within VHA
• Skill in communicating and working collaboratively with key stakeholders, including technical and professional staff at various levels of the organization
• Ability to apply project management principles to deployment of medical equipment and health information technologies
• References: VA Handbook 5005/104, Part II, Appendix G38 - Biomedical Engineer qualification standard
• 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 in the range of GS-07 to GS-12
• Physical Requirements: Applicants must be physically able to perform the duties of the position
• The basis on which agencies may establish specific medical standards or physical requirements is discussed in 5 CFR 339
• A physical condition or impairment may be disqualifying for employment only if there is a direct relationship between the condition and the nature of the duties of the specific position being filled
• The physical requirements for the position are: considerable and strenuous physical exertion, lifting heavy objects over 50 pounds, crouching or crawling in restricted areas
• And you may be subject to placement in the asbestos medical surveillance program.