Biomedical Engineer

Summary

The Eastern Oklahoma VA Health Care System seeks a Biomedical Engineer to support healthcare technology management. Responsibilities include assessing, acquiring, implementing, maintaining, upgrading, securing, integrating, and retiring diagnostic, therapeutic, monitoring, and related medical equipment. Engineers provide technical and administrative support, advise clinical and leadership staff, manage programs and projects, and advance safe, effective patient care systemwide.

Duties

Tulsa (James Mountain Inhofe VAMC) - Tulsa (James Mountain Inhofe VAMC) facility Total Rewards - Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Managing the lifecycle of diagnostic, therapeutic, monitoring, information, and other medical equipment from requirements assessment and acquisition through installation, integration, maintenance, upgrades, training, decommissioning, data sanitization, and replacement planning. Supporting or leading special projects, medical equipment installations, system implementations, after-action reviews, and other mission-critical initiatives using sound project-management principles. Assessing clinical and operational requirements; developing equipment specifications; evaluating proposed devices and systems; advising on compatibility, safety, reliability, sustainability, and long-term suitability; and coordinating installation and implementation. Serving as a technical advisor or subject-matter expert to clinical, administrative, logistics, information technology, engineering, and professional staff on existing and emerging medical technologies. Designing, modifying, and evaluating biomedical systems, including physiological monitoring, clinical laboratory automation, resuscitation equipment, medical information systems, computer applications, networking, and medical-device cybersecurity. Developing and delivering education and training for clinical, administrative, engineering, technical, and professional staff on the safe and effective operation, application, maintenance, and security of medical equipment. Supporting equipment-management programs and compliance with applicable VA, The Joint Commission, National Fire Protection Association, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, American National Standards Institute, patient-safety, and other regulatory requirements. Managing medical-device recalls, safety alerts, hazard identification, incident investigations, remediation, and required documentation within established timeframes. Preparing and maintaining technical documentation in computerized maintenance management systems in accordance with regulatory, organizational, and Healthcare Technology Management requirements. Serving, when assigned, as a Contracting Officer's Representative; preparing statements of work, sole-source justifications, independent government cost estimates, VA forms, and other acquisition documents; monitoring contractor performance; and coordinating with Logistics and Contracting. Developing contractor work specifications, overseeing vendor services, verifying contract compliance, and resolving equipment and service issues with clinical and administrative services. Supporting capital-asset and infrastructure planning from initial concept through installation, implementation, and sustainment of complex medical equipment. Coordinating with Information Technology to establish controls, procedures, network connectivity, information-security practices, and safe operation of electronic patient-care systems. Maintaining current knowledge of biomedical engineering, medical technology, regulatory requirements, network protocols, cybersecurity, vendor developments, and professional practices through formal and informal education. Performing progressively complex assignments under supervision as proficiency develops, demonstrating initiative, effective communication, collaboration, sound judgment, and commitment to safe, reliable patient care. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Recruitment/Relocation Incentives (Sign-on Bonus): May be Authorized for a Highly Qualified Candidate. Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 55151-A, 55152-A, 55153-A, 55154-A

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. Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3.g.) 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. Grandfathering Provision. 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 for employment listed in paragraph 3 above, the following education and experience criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: (1) Biomedical Engineer, GS-7 (Entry Level) (a) Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. (b) Education. Bachelor's degree as outlined in paragraph 3.b.(1), above, or CCE certification with at least a bachelor's degree not listed in paragraph 3.b.(1). (c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. None beyond the basic requirements. (2) Biomedical Engineer, GS-9 (Developmental Level 1) (a) Experience. At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower level. OR (b) Education i. Master's degree in Biomedical Engineering, or a related field of study, as outlined in paragraph 3.b.(1). OR ii. Bachelor's degree, as outlined in paragraph 3.b.(1), 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. (c) 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 health care 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. (3) Biomedical Engineer, GS-11 (Developmental Level 2) (a) Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower level, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level. OR (b) Education i. Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree in Biomedical Engineering, or a related field of engineering, as outlined in paragraph 3.b.(1). OR ii. Bachelor's degree, plus three full years of progressively higher level graduate education in a related field of study, as outlined in paragraph 3.b.(1). (c) 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. (4) Biomedical Engineer, GS-12 (Full Performance Level) (a) 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. (b) 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 as a COR or current COR certification; developing acquisition documents for medical equipment; supporting complex clinical technologies; and managing multiple concurrent equipment projects, installations, or deployments. 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. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-7 to GS-12. Physical Requirements: The position requires prolonged periods of standing, walking, stooping, bending, climbing stairs, and working in cramped spaces. The employee frequently lifts 10-40 pounds and occasionally lifts items over 40 pounds. The work also involves managing complex and ongoing demands in a high-pressure environment.

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/.

Requirements

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. Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation. 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.