Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (Information Systems)
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Richmond, VA, United States
Summary
Serves as a Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (BESS) specialized in information systems within a Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) department at a VA facility. Works in support of the medical equipment management program. Performs duties at the full performance level: maintains medical servers and networks, diagnostic software, virtual platforms, and clinical application software.
Qualifications
Basic Requirements:
Citizenship
Citizen of the United States
Education - Experience - or Certification
Associates or higher degree in the biomedical technology or biomedical engineering field
OR Associates or higher degree in electronics, a field of information technology, or engineering (other than biomedical engineering) and 1 year of credible experience
OR Completion of the Department of Defense (DOD) biomedical equipment technician training program
OR Completion of a DOD training program in repair and maintenance of electronic systems or information technology and 1 year of credible experience
OR Completion of a biomedical engineering technician or Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) certificate program that included an internship or apprenticeship
OR Completion of biomedical engineering technician or HTM certificate program that did not include an internship and 1 year of credible experience
OR Hold or having ever held certification as a Certified Biomedical Equipment Technician (CBET), Certified Radiology Equipment Specialist (CRES), Certified Laboratory Equipment Specialist (CLES), or Certified Healthcare Technology Manager (CHTM)
Continuous maintenance of certification is not required throughout VHA employment
Experience
One year of credible experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS‑11). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following:
Knowledge of Health Level 7 (HL7) and Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) standards
Knowledge of advanced testing methods to troubleshoot networked medical equipment and clinical system interfaces
Skill in maintaining computer- and server‑based medical equipment databases and software
Skill in managing medical equipment and clinical system projects that interface with an electronic health record or other information systems
Skill in applying cybersecurity standards to medical devices and clinical systems such as Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA), and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) guidelines
Ability to apply information security tools including virus protection, software updates, and operating system patches
Ability to establish a medical network including VLAN configuration, Internet Protocol addressing, and network security
Experience is only credible if it was acquired in the health care industry and is either directly related to the position to be filled or a related field (for example, Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist, Biomedical Equipment Technician, Field Service Engineer, Medical Equipment Repairer, or Information Technology (IT) Specialist)
Experience satisfying this requirement may be paid or non‑paid employment as a BESS
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
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS‑12.
Duties
Manages and maintains medical servers, networks, diagnostic software, virtual platforms, and clinical application software
Manages projects involving medical equipment and clinical systems, including procurement, installation, and maintenance
Manages hardware components of virtual servers, physical servers, and medical workstations
Facilitates operating system updates, upgrades, and virus protection
Identifies, troubleshoots, and completes corrective action for issues related to networked medical equipment and clinical systems
Evaluates compatibility and adaptability of medical equipment and clinical systems for integration with the electronic health record or other clinical systems
Reviews, coordinates, and implements available software patches, updates, and data backups with staff and manufacturers
Coordinates, implements, and manages cybersecurity measures and disaster recovery plans
Effectively responds to, investigates, and documents cybersecurity incidents involving medical equipment and clinical systems
Responds to and remediates hazard alerts, recall notifications, and incidents concerning medical equipment and clinical systems
Documents all actions in the appropriate system
Monitors cybersecurity metrics and initiates corrective action to address deficiencies
Complies with the facility's medical device protection program
Ensures networked medical equipment and clinical systems are inventoried in the appropriate database
Serves as a subject‑matter expert on assigned committees, projects, and workgroups
Manages the lifecycle of medical equipment and clinical systems
Troubleshoots medical equipment and clinical systems using a variety of technical data and completes corrective action
Performs incoming inspections and planned maintenance on medical equipment and clinical systems
Documents all work in the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS)
Utilizes test equipment in accordance with manufacturer instructions
Provides customer support to staff, evaluates issues and needs, responds with solutions, and keeps customers abreast of status
Educates staff on the safe operation and user‑level maintenance of medical equipment and clinical systems
Serves as a Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) and/or purchase card holder
Develops documentation to purchase commodities and/or vendor services
Manages, monitors, and evaluates contractor performance and addresses issues or deficiencies
Complies with applicable standards, policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements
Provides guidance and mentorship to expand professional knowledge and enhance technical skillsets
Maintains and enhances knowledge in technological advancements through professional development and technical training
Performs other directly related duties as assigned
Work Schedule: Monday‑Friday – 7:30 am to 4 pm | Recruitment/Relocation Incentives: None | Telework: Not Authorized | Virtual: Not Authorized – This is not a virtual position.
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Serves as a Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (BESS) specialized in information systems within a Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) department at a VA facility. Works in support of the medical equipment management program. Performs duties at the full performance level: maintains medical servers and networks, diagnostic software, virtual platforms, and clinical application software.
Qualifications
Basic Requirements:
Citizenship
Citizen of the United States
Education - Experience - or Certification
Associates or higher degree in the biomedical technology or biomedical engineering field
OR Associates or higher degree in electronics, a field of information technology, or engineering (other than biomedical engineering) and 1 year of credible experience
OR Completion of the Department of Defense (DOD) biomedical equipment technician training program
OR Completion of a DOD training program in repair and maintenance of electronic systems or information technology and 1 year of credible experience
OR Completion of a biomedical engineering technician or Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) certificate program that included an internship or apprenticeship
OR Completion of biomedical engineering technician or HTM certificate program that did not include an internship and 1 year of credible experience
OR Hold or having ever held certification as a Certified Biomedical Equipment Technician (CBET), Certified Radiology Equipment Specialist (CRES), Certified Laboratory Equipment Specialist (CLES), or Certified Healthcare Technology Manager (CHTM)
Continuous maintenance of certification is not required throughout VHA employment
Experience
One year of credible experience equivalent to the next lower grade (GS‑11). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following:
Knowledge of Health Level 7 (HL7) and Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) standards
Knowledge of advanced testing methods to troubleshoot networked medical equipment and clinical system interfaces
Skill in maintaining computer- and server‑based medical equipment databases and software
Skill in managing medical equipment and clinical system projects that interface with an electronic health record or other information systems
Skill in applying cybersecurity standards to medical devices and clinical systems such as Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA), and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) guidelines
Ability to apply information security tools including virus protection, software updates, and operating system patches
Ability to establish a medical network including VLAN configuration, Internet Protocol addressing, and network security
Experience is only credible if it was acquired in the health care industry and is either directly related to the position to be filled or a related field (for example, Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist, Biomedical Equipment Technician, Field Service Engineer, Medical Equipment Repairer, or Information Technology (IT) Specialist)
Experience satisfying this requirement may be paid or non‑paid employment as a BESS
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
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS‑12.
Duties
Manages and maintains medical servers, networks, diagnostic software, virtual platforms, and clinical application software
Manages projects involving medical equipment and clinical systems, including procurement, installation, and maintenance
Manages hardware components of virtual servers, physical servers, and medical workstations
Facilitates operating system updates, upgrades, and virus protection
Identifies, troubleshoots, and completes corrective action for issues related to networked medical equipment and clinical systems
Evaluates compatibility and adaptability of medical equipment and clinical systems for integration with the electronic health record or other clinical systems
Reviews, coordinates, and implements available software patches, updates, and data backups with staff and manufacturers
Coordinates, implements, and manages cybersecurity measures and disaster recovery plans
Effectively responds to, investigates, and documents cybersecurity incidents involving medical equipment and clinical systems
Responds to and remediates hazard alerts, recall notifications, and incidents concerning medical equipment and clinical systems
Documents all actions in the appropriate system
Monitors cybersecurity metrics and initiates corrective action to address deficiencies
Complies with the facility's medical device protection program
Ensures networked medical equipment and clinical systems are inventoried in the appropriate database
Serves as a subject‑matter expert on assigned committees, projects, and workgroups
Manages the lifecycle of medical equipment and clinical systems
Troubleshoots medical equipment and clinical systems using a variety of technical data and completes corrective action
Performs incoming inspections and planned maintenance on medical equipment and clinical systems
Documents all work in the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS)
Utilizes test equipment in accordance with manufacturer instructions
Provides customer support to staff, evaluates issues and needs, responds with solutions, and keeps customers abreast of status
Educates staff on the safe operation and user‑level maintenance of medical equipment and clinical systems
Serves as a Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) and/or purchase card holder
Develops documentation to purchase commodities and/or vendor services
Manages, monitors, and evaluates contractor performance and addresses issues or deficiencies
Complies with applicable standards, policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements
Provides guidance and mentorship to expand professional knowledge and enhance technical skillsets
Maintains and enhances knowledge in technological advancements through professional development and technical training
Performs other directly related duties as assigned
Work Schedule: Monday‑Friday – 7:30 am to 4 pm | Recruitment/Relocation Incentives: None | Telework: Not Authorized | Virtual: Not Authorized – This is not a virtual position.
#J-18808-Ljbffr