Summary

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 30,2026 or until all positions are filled

Duties

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Incumbent will work at the Jack C Montgomery VA Medical Center until the opening of James Mountain Inhofe VA Medical Center.

Duties Include but are not limited to:

• Performing as a project leader in defining the requirements and specifications of medical electronic systems and medical devices utilized at all healthcare sites supported under Biomedical Engineering.
• Assists in the implementation of the complex Biomedical Engineering Medical Center Program. Serves as a staff advisor to the Biomedical Engineering Supervisor/ Chief in Biomedical Engineering as well as engineering principles and practices, which relate to the area of specialization and scientific discipline, drawing from professional educational background, as well as practical experience.
• Has assigned functions as a Contracting Officer Representative and keeps appropriate certification levels. Uses Knowledge of government contract procedures and documentation requirements to develop statements of work, sole source justification, other applicable documentation (VA Form 6550, Independent Government Cost Estimates and to oversee vendor work. Collaborates with Logistics and Contracting to procure parts and services as required.
• Provides training in the principles and procedures of operation of technical equipment for the medical, nursing, dental, administrative, engineering, and other technical and professional staff to ensure that the equipment is utilized effectively and safely. This will also include training the Biomedical Engineering Section on Information Technology responsibilities including but not limited to networking and will coordinate solutions to any issues that arise between OIT and the Biomedical Engineering Section. Assist in establishing controls and procedures and monitors implementation to ensure that all electronic devices and systems, and computers related to patient care equipment are utilized efficiently and safely. Observes and critiques the use of these devices, maintaining repair services and training personnel where necessary. Evaluates the patient safety features of electrical equipment and assists in the oversight of the patient electrical safety program for the medical center.
• Recommends policy and policy changes to the Biomedical Engineering Supervisor. Frequently, due to the nature of the work performed, no established guideline exists. The incumbent is expected to analyze, organize, innovate, modify, and adapt as necessary to carry out program objectives.
• Supporting an equipment management program that meets current Joint Commission and NFPA requirements. The breadth of technology is less than is typically present at a tertiary care and/or university-affiliated institution.
• Managing a recall and safety alert program for medical devices, including medical\device incident investigations to assure compliance with patient safety goals, SMDA, and Joint Commission requirements.
• Advising clinical and administrative staff on medical engineering technology including existing and emerging technology addressing viability, long-term suitability, compatibility, and/or safety while keeping abreast of changes in technology and utilizing information gained in the solution of biomedical engineering problems.
• Assisting with capital asset and infrastructure planning for medical equipment spanning initial concept, installation, and effective implementation of complex medical equipment.
• Assisting with capital asset and infrastructure planning for medical equipment spanning initial concept, installation, and effective implementation of complex medical equipment.
• Functioning as a subject matter expert in the field of biomedical engineering who directly supports specialized clinical technology including service, system administration, training, and quality assurance at a medical center. Supports in project management for medical device installs, implementation and after-action review upon utilization at healthcare site.

Work Schedule: Monday- Friday, 8am-4:30pm

Telework: Not available

Functional Statement #

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized for highly qualified applicants.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

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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.
• 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;
• 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

Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

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.
• 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 3.b.(1) above.

Grade Determinations:

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:
  
  
  • i. Ability to conduct a medical equipment management [or biomedical research program that is compliant with applicable healthcare standards and regulatory agencies.]
  • ii. Ability to develop a curriculum for a continuing education program, that address the safe and effective use of medical technology, and/or research devices.
  • iii. 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.
  • iv. Ability to conduct capital asset and infrastructure planning for medical equipment spanning initial concept, installation, and effective implementation of complex medical equipment.
  • v. 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.
  • vi. 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.
  • vii. Knowledge of concepts related to computer based medical systems, networking protocols, and information security as it applies to medical technology within VHA.
  • viii. Skill in communicating and working collaboratively with key stakeholders, including technical and professional staff at various levels of the organization.
  • ix. Ability to apply project management principles to deployment of medical equipment and health information technologies

Preferred Experience: Experience serving as a Contraction Officer's Representative (COR), or a current COR certification, in support of medical equipment or clinical service contracts. Experience developing acquisition documents such as statements of work, performance work standards, or independent cost estimates for the procurement of medical equipment. Demonstrated technical depth supporting one or more complex medical equipment modalities (e.g. diagnostic imaging, sterile processing, laboratory, dialysis or radiation oncology systems). Experience managing multiple concurrent medical equipment projects, installations, or developments while meeting competing deadlines. Highly organized and detail-oriented, with demonstrated experience managing multiple concurrent equipment projects, installations or deployments while meeting competing deadlines.

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.

Physical Requirements: Work involves standing, walking, stooping, bending, climbing stairs, and frequently working in cramped spaces for prolonged periods. The employee continually lifts from 10 to 40 pounds and occasionally objects weighing more than 40 pounds. The work also involves coping with complex, persistent demands from a variety of sources that can be regarded as a high-pressure work situation.

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.

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.

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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding