Summary Serves as a Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (BESS) specialized in information systems working within the Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) department within the Truman VA performing VISN or national project work (assigned by the VISN or national HTM Program Office) at least 25% of the time. Responsibilities Manages and supports medical equipment and clinical systems impacting multiple facilities either remotely or on-site. Manages and maintains medical servers and networks, diagnostic software, virtual platforms, and clinical applications software. Manages hardware components of virtual servers, physical servers, and medical workstations. Facilitates operating system updates, upgrades, and virus protection. Identifies, troubleshoots, and completes corrective actions for issues related to networked medical equipment and clinical systems. Evaluates the compatibility and adaptability of medical equipment and clinical systems to integrate with the electronic health record or other clinical systems. Reviews, coordinates, and implements available software patches, updates, and system/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. 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. Provides guidance and mentorship to expand professional knowledge and enhance technical skillsets. Implements and monitors policies and procedures impacting multiple facilities to ensure compliance with established standards and regulations. Coordinates and supports trainings impacting multiple facilities. Manages or supports large-scale projects impacting multiple facilities. Serves as a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR). Develops documentation to purchase commodities and/or vendor services. Manages, monitors, and evaluates contractor performance and addresses issues or deficiencies. Manages, responds to, and remediates hazard alerts, recall notifications, and incidents concerning medical equipment and clinical systems. Documents all actions in the appropriate system. Implements changes based on lessons learned. Develops technical specifications and standards for installation and support of medical equipment and clinical systems. Serves as a subject matter expert on assigned committees, projects, and workgroups. Collaborates with leadership, clinical staff, and administrative staff regarding the management of medical equipment and clinical systems impacting multiple facilities. Leads national initiatives that impact multiple facilities. Maintains knowledge of and complies with applicable standards, policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements. Assists in managing the lifecycle of medical equipment and clinical systems. Documents all work in the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS). Provides customer support to staff, evaluates issues and needs, responds with solutions, and keeps customers abreast of status. Serves as a Government Purchase Card (GPC) holder, approving official, or alternate approving official. Maintains and enhances knowledge in technological advancements through professional development and technical training. Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m./7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination/evaluation. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. 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. Education, Experience, or Certification (1) Associate's or higher degree in the biomedical technology or biomedical engineering field; OR (2) Associates or higher degree in electronics, a field of information technology, or engineering (other than biomedical engineering) AND 1 year of creditable experience; OR (3) Completion of the Department of Defense (DOD) biomedical equipment technician training program; OR (4) Completion of a DOD training program in repair and maintenance of electronic systems or information technology AND 1 year of creditable experience; OR (5) Completion of a biomedical engineering technician or Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) certificate program that included an internship or apprenticeship; OR (6) Completion of biomedical engineering technician or HTM certificate program that did not include an internship AND 1 year of creditable experience; OR (7) Hold or have 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. 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: Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (a) Skill in communicating technical knowledge across multiple levels of an organization. (b) Skill in coordinating work across multiple sites of care, such as ambulatory centers, medical centers, and health care networks. (c) Skill in developing timely and economical solutions to technical issues affecting multiple sites of care. (d) Skill in implementing policies pertaining to medical equipment and clinical systems. (e) Skill in applying standards for safe operation of medical equipment and clinical systems, including National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Joint Commission (TJC), and the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI). (f) Ability to install and configure medical equipment and clinical systems, including networked interfaces. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Education Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
