Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (Patient Care)

About the role

The Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (BESS) within a Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) department at VA Puget Sound Health Care System works in support of the medical equipment management program. The role involves troubleshooting and performing planned maintenance on a range of medical devices, patient care equipment and clinical systems.

Responsibilities

• Manages the lifecycle of medical equipment, patient care equipment and clinical systems.
• Troubleshoots medical equipment, patient care equipment and clinical systems using a variety of technical data and completes corrective action.
• Performs incoming inspections and planned maintenance on medical equipment, patient care equipment and clinical systems.
• Documents all work in the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS).
• Responds to and remediates hazard alerts, recall notifications, and incidents concerning medical equipment and clinical systems. Documents all actions in the appropriate system.
• Maintains system backups, ensures network connectivity, mitigates cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and maintains clinical systems.
• Utilizes test equipment in accordance with manufacturer instructions.
• Manages projects involving medical equipment, patient care equipment and clinical systems.
• Provides customer support to staff, evaluates issues and needs, responds with solutions, and keeps customers abreast of status.
• Edits staff on the safe operation and user-level maintenance of medical equipment and clinical systems.
• Serves as a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) and/or purchase card holder.
• Develops documentation to purchase commodities and/or vendor services. Manages, monitors, and evaluates contractor performance and addresses issues or deficiencies.
• Complies with applicable standards, policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Provides guidance and mentorship to expand professional knowledge and enhance technical skillsets.
• Maintains and enhances knowledge in technological advancements through professional development and technical training.
• Performs additional duties as directed by supervisor or designee related to maintenance, remediation, and tracking of medical systems (action items, special projects, etc.) to meet mission critical requirements.
• Serves as a representative for HTM department on committees and in meetings as delegated by supervisor.
• Drives to Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) and Domiciliary in government owned vehicle (GOV), SUV, box truck, sedan, to perform scheduled and unscheduled maintenance.

Requirements

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

• Basic Requirements:
• 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 in healthcare industry; 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 in healthcare industry; OR
• Completion of a biomedical engineering technician or Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) certificate program that included an internship or apprenticeship; OR
• Completion of a biomedical engineering technician or HTM certificate program that did not include an internship AND 1 year of creditable experience in healthcare industry; 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.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

• Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist, GS-05
• Experience or Education: None beyond the basic requirements. Assignment: Employees at this grade level serve as entry-level developmental BESSs. It is expected that they receive guidance from more experienced staff members and require regular supervision. BESSs at this grade level perform basic tasks designed to prepare them for promotion. They troubleshoot and perform planned maintenance on general medical equipment. Entry-level BESSs assist with incoming inspections and documentation.
• Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist, GS-07
• Experience: One year of creditable experience in healthcare industry equivalent to the next lower grade.
• Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist, GS-09
• Experience: One year of creditable experience in healthcare industry equivalent to the next lower grade.
• Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist, GS-11
• Experience: One year of creditable experience in healthcare industry equivalent to the next lower grade.