Biomedical Engineer

Description:

Employee supports and advances patient care by applying engineering and managerial skills to healthcare technology.

Requirements:

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: 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:

• 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.

OR,

• Certification as a Certified Clinical Engineer (CCE) and a Bachelor's Degree not listed above. Certification means having successfully passed a CCE written and oral examination administered by the American College of Clinical Engineering. If appointed with a CCE requirement, the employee must maintain certification throughout employment. The American College of Clinical Engineering determines acceptable educational preparation and degree requirements for CCE eligibility.

English Language Proficiency. Biomedical Engineers must be proficient in spoken and written English.

Grade Determinations : In addition to the basic requirements, the following education and experience criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates:

GS-7: (Entry level):Experience: None beyond the basic requirements

Education: Bachelor's degree as outlined above or CCE certification with at least a bachelor's degree not listed above.

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 grade level (GS-7).
OR; Education : Masters Degree in Biomedical Engineering, or a related field of study.
OR; Bachelor's degree as outlined above plus two full years of progressively higher level graduate education in a related field of study, provided the applicant's total background demonstrates the KSA's for the GS-9 level assignment.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: In addition the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSA's:

• Knowledge of the principles, theories, concepts, and practices of the Biomedical Engineering profession.
• Ability to interpret relevant codes, regulations, guidelines, and standards, and make recommendations to ensure compliance with medical center programs.
• Ability to understand the operational needs of clinical services in the health care system.
• 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 grade (GS-9), and must fully meet the GS-9 level KSA's listed above.
OR; Education: Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree in Biomedical Engineering, or a related field of engineering, as outlined above.
OR; Bachelors degree, plus three full years of progressively higher level graduate education in a related field of study as outlined above.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: In addition the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSA's:

• Ability to implement and/or sustain an equipment management or biomedical research program that meets The Joint Commission, National Fire Protection Association, or other applicable regulatory requirements.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 creditable specialized equivalent to the next lower level (GS-11) such as experience functioning on a semi-independent basis with limited oversight by senior biomedical engineers. They participate in medical device hazard investigations, to assure compliance with patient safety goals, Safe Medical Devices Act (SMDA) and TJC requirement and assist in the development of an equipment management program at the medical center. Employees may lead medical technology deployments, directly support medical equipment, or participate in research projects.
OR Completion of a post-doctoral research fellowship in the field of biomedical engineering.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: In addition the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSA's:

• Ability to conduct a medical equipment management or biomedical research program that is compliant with applicable healthcare standards and regulatory agencies.
• Ability to develop a curriculum for a continuing education program, that address the safe and effective use of medical technology, and/or research devices.
• Ability to manage a recall and safety alert program for medical devices, including medical device hazard investigations, to assure compliance with patient safety goals, the Safe Medical Devices Act, and The Joint Commission requirements.
• Ability to conduct capital asset and infrastructure planning for medical equipment spanning initial concept, installation, and effective implementation of complex medical equipment.
• 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.
• 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.
• Knowledge of concepts related to computer based medical systems, networking protocols, and information security as it applies to medical technology within
• Skill in communicating and working collaboratively with key stakeholders, including technical and professional staff at various levels of the organization.
• Ability to apply project management principles to deployment of medical equipment and health information technologies.

Preferred Experience: None

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 - 07 to GS - 12.

(Qualifications continued in Education Section)