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Biomedical Engineer

Veterans Health Administration

Memphis, TN

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JOB DETAILS
SKILLS
ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology), Acquisition Strategy, Biomedical Engineering, Biomedical Equipment, Biomedical Research, Biomedicine, Clinical Advice, Clinical Medicine, Clinical Research, Clinical Support, Clinical Training, Communication Skills, Construction Projects, Consulting, Department of Veterans Affairs, Emerging Technology, Engineering Management, English Language, Federal Government, Fellowship, Government, Hazard Analysis, Hazardous Materials/Substances, Health Information Technology, Healthcare, Healthcare Quality, Hospital Administration, Human Resources, Information Technology & Information Systems, Information/Data Security (InfoSec), Legal, Life Insurance, Maintain Compliance, Market Analysis, Medical Equipment, Medical Treatment, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Needs Assessment, Onboarding, Operations Security (OPSEC), Pathology, Patient Care, Patient Safety, Problem Solving Skills, Project Tracking, Project/Program Management, Purchasing/Procurement, Quality Assurance, Regulations, Regulatory Requirements, Requirements Management, Root Cause Analysis, Safety Alerts, Safety Compliance, Safety Process, Safety/Work Safety, Security Protocols, Site Evaluation, Standards of Care, Strategic Planning, Supply Chain Management, Systems Administration/Management, Systems Analysis, Technical Leadership, Technical Presentation, Technical Research, Technical Support, Technology Analysis, The Joint Commission (TJC), Time Management, Training/Teaching Curriculum, United States Citizen, Vaccination
LOCATION
Memphis, TN
POSTED
3 days ago
Summary

As a Biomedical Engineer (BME) for the Lt. Col. Luke Weathers, Jr. VA Medical Center, Memphis, TN, the incumbent provides professional engineering support to a complex, highly technical, and service-oriented Healthcare Technology Management Section within Engineering Service.The Biomedical Engineering Program includes medical technology assessment, strategic planning, acquisition support, implementation, coordination, equipment management, and ongoing maintenance support.

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Duties

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The Biomedical Engineer reports directly to the Chief Biomedical Engineer. They receive administrative direction with assignments in terms of broadly defined missions and functions. They exercise authority to oversee the overall planning, direction, and timely execution of assigned Biomedical Engineering program activities. They have responsibility for planning, designing and implementing programs, projects, studies, and other work to support healthcare technology at Memphis. Successful execution of these responsibilities has major impact upon the outcome of patient care delivery. The Biomedical Engineering represents Healthcare Technology Management on committees and in meetings as delegated by supervisor. Other duties include, but are not limited to:

  • Participates in technology assessment of medical equipment systems by working collaboratively with medical staff to evaluate market offerings, determine medical center requirements, design system configurations, and develop specifications.
  • work collaboratively with the Contracting and Supply Chain Management staff to procure medical equipment that best meets clinical needs while containing resources.
  • assessing installation and site preparation requirements, managing project timelines, monitoring installation, and facilitating training of equipment operators and maintainers.
  • investigates, remediates and documents Repairable Medical Device (RMD) recalls and safety alerts issued through the VA Alerts and Recall Management System (ARMS) within established timeframes.
  • Participates in local safety improvement processes such as Root Cause Analysis (RCA), safety work groups, and Environment of Care Rounds. Identifies hazards during routine job performance and takes action to ensure they are addressed and corrected.
  • consults on medical center construction projects, space functional changes, and associated planning with respect to medical technologies and medical- related technologies.
  • supports an equipment management program that allows Memphis to meet the requirements set by accrediting organizations such as The Joint Commission (T JC) and the College of American Pathologists (CAP).
  • ensure the provision of safe, reliably maintained, and clinically appropriate medical equipment for the delivery of quality healthcare in a cost-effective manner.
Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 7am-3:30pm,or 7:30am-4pm, or 8am-4:30pm

Telework: Not Authorized

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #:51171-F, 51172-F, 51173-F, 51174

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 ( Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
  • Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
  • 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.

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).
  • English Language Proficiency. Biomedical Engineers must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part.
Grade Determinations: In addition to the Basic Requirements, applicants must meet the following Grade Requirements for the GS-7 to GS-12 grade level:

GS-7 (Entry Level)
  • Experience- None beyond the basic requirements.
  • Education- Bachelor's degree as outlined in paragraph, above, or CCE certification with at least a bachelor's degree.
  • Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. None beyond the basic requirements.
GS-9(Developmental (Level 1)
  • Experience. At least [one] year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower level. ~OR~
  • Education- Master's degree in Biomedical Engineering, or a related field of study. ~OR~
  • Bachelor's degree, plus two full years of progressively higher level graduate education in a related field of study, that demonstrates the KSAs for the GS-9 level assignment.
  • Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities[. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
i. Knowledge of the principles, theories, concepts, and practices of the Biomedical Engineering profession.

ii. Ability to interpret relevant codes, regulations, guidelines, and standards, and make recommendations to ensure compliance with medical center programs.

iii. Ability to understand the operational needs of clinical services in the healthcare system.

iv. Ability to prepare material on current technical topics and trends, for presentation to other technical staff and mid-level hospital management, and the ability to keep abreast of changes in technology.

GS-11(Developmental (Level 2)
  • Experience. At least [one] year of experience equivalent to the next lower level, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level. ~OR~
  • Education- Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree in Biomedical Engineering, or a related field of engineering. ~OR~
  • Bachelor's degree, plus three full years of progressively higher level graduate education in a related field of study, a related field of engineering.
  • Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
i. Ability to implement and/or sustain an equipment management or biomedical research program that meets The Joint Commission (TJC), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), or other applicable regulatory requirements.]

ii. Ability to develop material for a continuing education program for clinical or research staff, that address the principles and application of medical technology, and/or biomedical theory used in healthcare.

iii. Ability to advise [ ] staff on emerging medical [ ] technology[, or research procedures], while keeping abreast of changes in such technology, and utilizing the information to solve biomedical engineering problems.

iv. Knowledge of basic project management principles, as applied to the healthcare setting and medical equipment, and information system implementation.

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.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-07 to GS-12.

Physical Requirements: The work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts that require normal safety precautions typical of such places as offices, training rooms, and libraries. The work area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. The Biomedical Engineer must also work outdoors occasionally in all types of weather. There may be occasional exposure to moderate risks or discomforts in storage areas or hazardous waste sites. The work is primarily sedentary, although some physical effort may be required, e.g., walking, standing, climbing ladders, stooping, kneeling, and carrying light items such as manuals or briefcases, or driving or traveling by motor vehicle.

Education

Please see above Qualifications for education requirements. Must provide copy of transcript.

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: 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:

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.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

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.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

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.



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About the Company

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Veterans Health Administration