Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist- Intensive Care

Description:

Serves as a Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (BESS) specialized in intensive care, high-risk, or surgical equipment within a Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) department at a VA facility. Works in support of the medical equipment management program. In addition to duties at the full performance level, the BESS maintains life-support, high-risk surgical, or intensive care medical equipment and clinical systems.

Requirements:

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: 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 & spoken English
• 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 creditable 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 creditable 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 creditable 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.

Grade Determinations :
Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (Intensive Care),GS-12

• Experience . One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade GS-11.
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
  • Knowledge of HL7 and DICOM standards.
  • Skill in applying standards 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) for safe operation of medical equipment and clinical systems.
  • Skill in operating test equipment for specialized high-risk, surgical, or intensive care medical equipment such as ventilator testers, mechanical lungs, and anesthetic gas monitors.
  • Skill in maintaining specialized high-risk, intensive care, or surgical equipment such as ventilators, heart-lung bypass, anesthesia, and intra-aortic balloon pumps.
  • Skill in performing advanced testing to troubleshoot specialized networked medical equipment and clinical system interfaces.
  • Ability to resolve complex failures on specialized medical equipment and clinical systems.

Preferred Experience: None

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/ .

Physical Requirements: Employee will continually handle objects weighing up to 20 lbs. and occasionally objects up to 50 lbs. Occasionally work will be performed in cramped and awkward positions. The work also requires frequent periods of standing and walking. Position requires operating a motor vehicle to service equipment at locations off campus, including transport of objects. The position constantly operates a computer, tools, and diagnostic test equipment to perform assigned duties. Technical, academic, and mental demands are considerable. The work performed is of a precise nature requiring prolonged concentration. The incumbent will often work under conditions of stress caused by the nature of the medical mission which involves the well-being of the patients and the necessity to meet deadlines.