Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist, Imaging

BASIC REQUIREMENTS a. Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. After a determination is made that it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens, necessary personnel may be appointed on a temporary basis under authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405 without regard to the citizenship requirements of 38 U.S.C. 7402 or any other law prohibiting the employment of or payment of compensation to a person who is not a citizen of the United States. Candidates must meet all other requirements for the grade and position concerned. b. Experience and Education. Associates degree in Biomedical Electronics Technology, Biomedical Equipment Technology or Biomedical Engineering Technology or in a related technical field such as Electronic Technology or Information Technology and two years of experience as a Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist, Biomedical Equipment Technician, Field Service Engineer, Medical Equipment Repairer, or Information Technology Specialist. Or, Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering Technology or in a related field such as Electronics Engineering Technology (EET) or Information Technology. Or, Completion of a military training program in biomedical equipment and two years of experience as a Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist or Biomedical Equipment Technician, Field Service Engineer, Medical Equipment Repairer or Information Technology Specialist. c .Licensure/Certification/Registration. None d. Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA as a BESS 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 that is 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 may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journeyman) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.(2) BESSs 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) BESSs initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.(4) Employees who are retained as a BESS under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry as a BESS. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. English Language Proficiency. Candidates will not be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C. chapters 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English. See Chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. Grade Determinations: Supervisory Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist, GS-12 (1) Experience. At least one year of experience at the GS-11 grade level that demonstrates the technical competencies described at that level. Certification as a Certified Healthcare Technology Manager (CHTM) is highly desirable at this level but not required.(2) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to meeting the KSAs for the GS-11 level, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment-specific KSAs designated by an asterisk:(a) Advanced knowledge of Healthcare Technology Management across multiple types of equipment modalities to provide guidance and training to Healthcare Technology Management staff;(b) Skill in managing Healthcare Technology Management work flow and directing the work of others to accomplish programs goals and objectives.(c) Ability to develop policy, manage medical equipment life-cycle processes, and provide workload analysis in Healthcare Technology Management operations.(d) Knowledge of interpersonal relations and conflict resolution to deal effectively with individuals or groups representing widely divergent backgrounds, interests, and points of view.(e) Ability to analyze Healthcare Technology data and make recommendations to optimize quality, efficiency, performance, and productivity within service.(f) Ability to perform the full range of supervisory duties which would include responsibility for assignment of work to be performed; assessments of competency; evaluation of performance; selection of staff; and recommendation of awards, advancements, and disciplinary actions.(3) Assignments. For all assignments above the full-performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Supervisory BESS at this level are generally found in Complexity Level 2 (Medium Complexity) or Complexity Level 3 (Low Complexity) facilities. Although uncommon, they may also be found in a Complexity Level 1 facility. The Supervisory BESS is responsible for the supervision, administrative management, and direction of lower level BESS. The incumbent supports the Chief Biomedical Engineer with assisting in the administrative and professional responsibilities of planning and directing the Biomedical Engineering/Healthcare Technology Management staff activities for the service or equivalent unit at an independent outpatient clinic. Incumbent may have full supervisory responsibility over a section or equivalent work unit if there is not a Biomedical Engineer at the facility. Typical duties may include: preparing work assignments, monitoring technical performance of some Biomedical Engineering staff, conducting performance appraisals, and other department and administrative responsibilities to ensure that the mission of the service and the medical center has been satisfied. The supervisor assures compliance with accrediting agencies and regulatory requirements, establishes and monitors the quality of the pre-analytical processes as part of the overall Biomedical Engineering service quality management program, and assures corrective action is initiated as needed. The supervisor assures orientation and competency assessment of assigned staff. Develops policies and procedures, manages document control, develops performance standards, position descriptions and functional statements. They may be responsible for professional and administrative management of an assigned area to include budget execution. The supervisor maintains interdepartmental relations with other services to accomplish medical center goals. And must be able to demonstrate the Knowledge Skills and Abilities at all lower grades in this occupational series. This information can be found in VA Handbook 5005/95 Part II Appendix G49.Preferred Experience: Lifecycle management of any and all medical systems such as imaging, life support, dialysis, and monitoring to include physical and network support. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/95 PART II APPENDIX G49The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 12. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
The Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (BESS) (Imaging) provides clinical and administrative support to staff, patients, and administrators for all matters of concern relating to the facility wide lifecycle management of advanced imaging or radiological devices and other medical devices within the Salem VA Medical Center.