Biomed Clinical Engineer

About the role

At Houston Methodist, the Biomedical Clinical Engineer position is responsible for assuring the safe and effective use of medical equipment in the hospital by applying and implementing medical technology to optimize healthcare delivery. This position has a direct impact on safety, quality improvement, process improvement, utilization, adoption, and efficiency of the organization’s patient care medical equipment program. Ensuring full compliance with all manufacturers, regulatory, institutional, and departmental guidelines, the Biomedical Clinical Engineer serves as departmental representative for hospital initiatives and committees.

Responsibilities

• Apply and implement medical technology to optimize healthcare delivery
• Train biomedical equipment technicians
• Participate in hospital inspections and audits
• Serve as a technological consultant to physicians, administrators, IT, and other staff
• Plan and assess new technology, ensuring regulatory compliance in medical technology management
• Lead investigations of incidents and participate in training and education of technical and medical personnel

Essential Functions

People Essential Functions

• Serve as Biomedical Engineering department point of contact for outside vendors on large-scale projects such as expansions, renovations, system-wide medical equipment rollouts, and software upgrades
• Provide in-service training for physicians, nurses, Biomedical department staff, and contract personnel on the proper and safe operation of medical equipment and emerging technologies
• Represent the Biomedical Engineering department on hospital committees and leadership meetings
• Serve as a consultant to biomedical technicians on large-scale projects, patient safety incidents, and coordinating maintenance training
• Coordinate training for staff and technicians
• Drive initiatives toward improvement of department scores for employee engagement

Service Essential Functions

• Coordinate installation and testing of new or upgraded patient care equipment and scientific instrumentation systems, including site preparation, spare parts and supplies evaluation, installation coordination, maintenance support requirements, and development of maintenance procedures
• Oversee implementation of medical equipment interfaces to other hospital devices
• Ensure timely dispatch closure for all installations, field modifications, and upgrades
• Assist with technician service calls and serve as an escalation point of contact
• Troubleshoot, maintain, and repair assigned patient medical equipment per manufacturer specifications
• Define and evaluate technical problems and develop possible solutions

Quality/Safety Essential Functions

• Accept responsibility for accreditation readiness for the Biomedical Engineering program and ensure positive outcomes
• Assist in development of internal policies and guidelines for standardization across the hospital system
• Lead or participate in incident investigations involving medical equipment
• Investigate accident hazards and potential hazards to patient or personnel safety
• Participate in root cause analysis and coordinate chain of custody of equipment
• Investigate all medical equipment recalls and formulate required action plans
• Report unsafe practices or situations with potential for patient or personnel harm to department management
• Collaborate with vendors and perform pre-purchase evaluation of clinical equipment to ensure compliance with safety, network security, and efficacy requirements
• Participate in continuous improvement activities by identifying and escalating process and product quality gaps
• Generate reports for safe equipment management and quality improvement
• Ensure test equipment compliance used for technician maintenance activities and identify new technologies
• Assist in monitoring compliance with equipment planned maintenance schedules
• Maintain an inventory of assigned tools and test equipment program

Finance Essential Functions

• Analyze future cost effectiveness using trend data to predict total cost of service including labor and parts
• Benchmark key metrics and direct data collection to demonstrate value
• Use data from the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) to identify cost-saving opportunities through changes in maintenance strategy or equipment replacement
• Approve all medical equipment purchases system-wide
• Evaluate alternative products and purchase options when necessary
• Consult with stakeholders to evaluate needs, projections, costs, and technical considerations for current and future needs and recommend optimum equipment utilization

Growth/Innovation Essential Functions

• Evaluate and recommend new ideas and technology that improve medical equipment quality, safety, and service
• Make and evaluate recommendations for modifications to patient care equipment to improve safety or efficacy
• Establish rapport with other hospitals through biomedical network connections to stay abreast of industry best practices
• Seek opportunities to identify self-development needs and take appropriate action
• Ensure career discussions occur with appropriate management
• Complete and update the My Development Plan on an ongoing basis

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering, Clinical Engineering, or related field
• Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering or related field preferred
• One year of experience in a healthcare-related environment
• Preferred: CCE – Certified Clinical Engineer (HTCC) or Clinical Healthcare Technology Management (CHTM) certification

Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through ongoing skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing English to perform essential functions, especially regarding activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members, and coworkers in a manner consistent with customer service focus and positive language principles
• Applies engineering principles and experience in evaluation of new technologies and services
• Maintains current knowledge of regulations, laws, and standards applicable to medical instrumentation
• Demonstrates high service standards, including timely responses to customer requests and anticipating customer requirements
• Ability to energize, develop, and build rapport at all organizational levels
• Knowledgeable of and ensures compliance with all hospital, biomedical service organization policies and procedures, applicable laws, and regulations
• Understands ISO/DNV principles and performs audits of hospital processes
• Ability to multitask and manage competing priorities
• Effective knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite
• Effective knowledge of DNV, FDA, and CAP standards and practices
• Skilled in using computerized Medical Equipment Management System (preferred)
• Effective knowledge of AAMI, NFPA, ECRI, and AHA standards and practices (preferred)
• Training in ISO 9001:2015 auditor or lead auditor (preferred)

Supplemental Requirements

• Work Attire: Business professional
• On-Call: Yes (employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies)
• Travel: May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area and outside the Houston Metropolitan area