Summary

The incumbent serves as the Chief, Biomedical Engineering Section and has direct oversight of Biomedical staff as it relates to Medical Technology Management Support, Networking & Health Information Systems Support and Electronics Support; and patient safety matters pertaining to the aforementioned.

Duties

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The Chief, Biomedical Engineering Section is recognized as a technical expert and advisor on all clinical engineering/ healthcare technology related issues at the Aleda E. Lutz VAMC facilities. The Chief provides direct oversight of the Medical Equipment Management Program (MEMP) and ensures that it meets or exceeds current Joint Commission, NFPA and other pertinent regulatory requirements.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• The Chief, Biomedical Engineering Section is a professional consultant and advisor on professional healthcare technology management matters to top management and high level medical and administrative staff.
• First-line administrative, managerial and supervisory responsibilities for the Medical Center's Biomedical Department sections to include Medical Technology Management Support, Networking & Health Information Systems Support and Electronics Support.
• Responsible for the full range of personnel actions and organization design proposals for the Biomedical sections.
• The incumbent plans work to be accomplished by subordinates, sets and adjusts short-term priorities, and prepares schedules for completion of work.
• Responsible for assuring the continuous operation of essential patient services and rapid response to conditions that may interfere with such services.
• Conducts capital asset and infrastructure planning for medical equipment spanning initial concept, installation, and effective implementation of complex medical systems.
• Provides analysis, identifies, and plans workload among subordinates in accordance with established workflow and/or job specializations.
• Advises supervisor and other management officials as necessary on status of critical medical equipment that may adversely impact veteran care and/or access.
• Develops performance standards for subordinates; evaluates work performance of subordinates using work order and other relevant data.
• Other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM. Schedule may be subject to change based on the needs of the Agency.

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 91778-0

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

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; 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 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.
• English Language Proficiency: Biomedical Engineers must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part.

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:

Supervisory Biomedical Engineer (Clinical), GS-13

• Experience: Completion of at least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower level, 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:
  
  • Knowledge of the management of overall department resources, i.e., finances, space, equipment, supplies, and staffing at the local level.
  • Ability to draft and/or recommend local policies and/or directives related to healthcare technology management.
  • Ability to balance multiple responsibilities, set priorities, delegate tasks, meet multiple deadlines, analyze organizational problems, and develop and implement effective solutions.
  • Ability to analyze organizational and operational problems to develop and implement solutions that result in efficient operations, and use data effectively to manage workload, quality, performance, and productivity within the area of responsibility.
  • Skill in interpersonal relationships in leading and dealing with employees, team leaders, and managers, both within and outside the biomedical engineering program, to include conflict management, dispute resolution, mediation, or reasonable accommodations.

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-13.

Physical Requirements. Work involves standing, walking, stooping, bending, climbing stairs, and frequently working in cramped spaces for prolonged periods. May be required to lift 10 to 40 pounds and on occasion objects weighing in excess of 40 pounds. The work also involves coping with complex, persistent demands from a variety of sources that can be regarded as a high pressure environment. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service.

Education

A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Transcripts must be official or unofficial college transcripts. A copy of your certificate/degree or screenshot of your current classes are not a replacement of your transcript and they will not be used in the qualifying process. Your transcript must include your name and the name and full address of the institution.

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/.

To meet qualification requirements, your resume should clearly identity the following information for each applicable degree:

• Name of the college or university
• Degree earned and the field of study
• Date the degree was conferred (month and year)

Please ensure this information is included directly on your resume so your education can be properly evacuated during the qualification review.

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.

Smoke-free Facility: All Department of Veterans Affairs facilities are smoke-free. Patients, visitors, and employees are not allowed to smoke in or near any facilities or on the grounds.

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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 the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.