Job Summary

The Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (BESS) (Biomedical Information Systems) provides clinical and administrative support to staff, patients, and administrators for all matters of concern relating to the facility wide lifecycle management of networks, networked medical equipment and associated systems.

Job Description

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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. English Language Proficiency: Candidates will not be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C. chapters 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English. See Chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. Experience and Education: Associates degree in Biomedical Electronics Technology, Biomedical Equipment Technology or Biomedical Engineering Technology or in a related technical field such as Electronic Technology or Information Technology and two years of experience as a Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist, Biomedical Equipment Technician, Field Service Engineer, Medical Equipment Repairer, or Information Technology Specialist. OR, Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Engineering Technology or in a related field such as Electronics Engineering Technology (EET) or Information Technology. OR, Completion of a military training program in biomedical equipment and two years of experience as a Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist or Biomedical Equipment Technician, Field Service Engineer, Medical Equipment Repairer or Information Technology Specialist. Licensure/Certification/Registration: None Grade Determinations: GS-12 Experience: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Current knowledge of computer virus protection software, available software patches and upgrades, and information security tools. Expert knowledge of electronics, computer and networking theory with experience maintaining, interfacing and troubleshooting networked medical equipment to include VLAN configuration, IP addressing, sub-netting, and network security. Ability to utilize and maintain computer and server based medical equipment, medical record databases, and proprietary and generic software, Experience with TCP/IP, HL7, networking, network security, and DICOM standards. Ability to interpret, identify, and apply network engineering principles and practices where there often times is no previous example to follow, or precedence. Skill to distinguish networking problems from non-networking problems and discuss various options with IT networking and operations staff members. Assignment: For all assignments above the full-performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Manages complete systems of central computerized networks, databases, analytic servers and medical device networks. Implements and plans for new or emerging technologies such as new diagnostic modalities, network management and storage appliances, virtual data centers and associated software. Coordinates and provides technical and project oversight of CIS, ARK, Imaging, and similar biomedical information systems (e.g., analytics, data bridge interface, anesthesia record keeping, cardiology information systems, and diagnostic medical imaging systems). Coordinates with OI&T for functionality, space availability, maintenance and replacement of server(s), and facilitating infrastructure updates and upgrades for servers, operating system problems, and virus protection. May manage entire data center dedicated to medical device servers. Identities and troubleshoots issues related to VLAN configuration, IP addressing, sub-netting, HL7 messaging, DICOM standards, and network security to minimize downtime. Most systems are server based with special requirements both in scope of attention and environmental security concerns. Examples oftypical devices or systems include, but is not limited to, Computerized Voice Recognition systems, Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) (Dental, Ophthalmology, Radiology & Cardiology PACS), and patient data management systems. Evaluates compatibility and adaptability of the biomedical devices for integration over the medical center's local area network (LAN) and wide area network (WAN). Maintains documentation of assigned medical IT equipment/systems to include ePHI requirements, VLAN, IP addresses, anti-virus software, security, and other necessary information. Addresses pre-implementation security issues to ensure that medical device isolation architecture (MDIA) requirements are met. Regularly reviews available software patches/updates and virus software updates for applicability to medical IT equipment. Coordinates with other BESSs, manufacturers, informatics, and IT staff to complete required software updates and system/data backups. Ensures compliance of networked attached clinical systems to all Medical Device Protection Program (MDPP) requirements. Designs, implements and manages appropriate security measures and disaster recovery plan that is critical to ensure system uptime and prevent loss of patient data from critical computerized databases and operating systems. May participate in VISN wide projects to provide their expertise in medical device isolation architecture (MDIA), Biomedical Server Virtualization, storage of Protected Health Information(PHI). May serve as a Contracting Officer Representative (COR) for the purchase of medical equipment, maintenance/repair contracts, and facility projects. This work includes but is not limited to; drafting Request for Proposal (RFP) language, sole-source justifications, Statements of Work (SOW), conducting market research, product evaluations, evaluating contractor performance, and pre- procurements assessments. 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. Physical Requirements: Moderate Lifting (15-44 pounds), Moderate Carrying (15-44 pounds), Reaching above shoulder, Use of fingers, Both hands required, Walking, Standing, Crawling, Kneeling, Repeated bending, Climbing, legs only (1 hours), Both legs required, Operation of crane, truck, tractor, or motor vehicle, Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, Far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other, Both eyes required, Depth perception, Ability to distinguish basic colors, Ability to distinguish shades of colors, Hearing (aid may be permitted), Glasses to corrected vision. Environmental Factors: Outside and inside, Excessive heat, Excessive humidity, Excessive dampness or chilling, Solvents (degreasing agents), Radiant energy, Electrical energy, Slippery or uneven walking surfaces, Working around machinery with moving parts, Working around moving objects or vehicles, Vibration, Working closely with others, Working alone, Protracted or irregular hours of work, Occasional travel, Exposure to environment hazards