Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred & 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's not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• Experience & 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 & 2 years of experience as a BESS, 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 & 2 years of experience as a BESS or Biomedical Equipment Technician, Field Service Engineer, Medical Equipment Repairer or Information Technology Specialist.
• 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 & spoken English.
• Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA as a BESS on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series & grade held, including positive education that is part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who don't meet all the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:
  • Such employees may be reassigned, promoted up to & including the full performance (journeyman) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.
  • BESSs who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.
  • BESSs initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.
  • Employees who are retained as a BESS under this provision & subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status & must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry as a BESS.

Grade Determinations:
GS-5-
Experience/Education. None beyond basic requirements.

GS-7-
Experience. At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the GS-5 level.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities KSAs. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate:

• Ability to read, interpret, & apply a great variety of technical data such as schematic drawings, wiring diagrams, table charts, mathematical expressions & formulas.
• Ability to learn equipment maintenance, operating procedures, & repair procedures from training materials & courses.
• Fundamental knowledge of electronics to include analog, digital & microprocessor theory, pneumatics, hydraulics, optics, electro-mechanics, physics, basic ne2rking, & chemistry.
• Knowledge of the use of standard level test equipment to include, but not limited to, multi meters, electrical safety analyzers, patient simulator, storage oscilloscopes, manometers, tachometers, etc.
• Knowledge of anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, medical equipment, & technology.

GS-9-
Experience. At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the GS-7 level.
Demonstrated KSAs. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate:

• Knowledge of electronics & electricity including analog & intermediate digital electronics to test, calibrate, maintain, & repair biomedical equipment & moderately complex biomedical instrumentation systems.
• Skill in the setup & use of standard & advanced level test equipment to perform precise & detailed analysis of the operating & design characteristics of equipment & initiate repairs, reconfiguration, or redesign of moderately complex medical systems.
• Skill in applying theory, concepts, techniques, design characteristics, operation, & functions to assist & support installation, operation, test, maintenance, repair, design, & modification for a comprehensive range of medical equipment connected to ne2rks or other operating systems.
• Ability to evaluate practical & technical information from manufacturers, contract specifications, manuals, & historical data in order to perform analysis required to make effective recommendations concerning operation, maintenance, & repair of medical equipment.
• Ability to perform testing & troubleshooting of medical devices involving their interfaces & connections to other medical devices, clinical systems, or information systems either directly or through the hospitals hardwired & wireless ne2rks.
• Ability to use application software & hardware as it relates to the operation & diagnostics of medical equipment.
• Knowledge of computer equipment with a wide variety of software to input & retrieve data as required, & to prepare a variety of specific working documents & forms such as spreadsheet, database, word processing, & other similar products.

GS-11-
Experience. At least 1 year of experience equivalent to the GS-9 level. Certification as a Certified Biomedical Equipment Technician (CBET), Certified Laboratory Equipment Specialist (CLES), Net+ & A+ are highly desirable at this level but not required.
Demonstrated KSAs. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

• Knowledge of a wide range of sciences including, but not limited to, electronics (analog & digital), computer science/ne2rking, mechanical engineering design, pneumatics, hydraulics, chemistry, physiology, medical terminology, anatomy, optics, & biology to perform duties of a broad scope & nature on complex & sophisticated patient-related medical systems & sub-systems.
• Ability to perform advanced testing & troubleshooting of medical devices involving their interfaces & connections to information systems either directly or through the hospitals hardwired & wireless ne2rks.
• Knowledge of codes & standards relevant to safe operation of medical instrumentation such as National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Food & Drug Administration (FDA), Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), the Joint Commission (TJC), & the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI).
• Skill in the use of all types of test & calibration equipment such as digital multi-meters, electrical safety analyzers, defibrillator analyzers, patient simulators, digital oscilloscopes, pulse generators, & Local Area Ne2rk (LAN) analyzers in performing troubleshooting/repair & preventive maintenance activities.
• Ability to configure & maintain medical servers & desktop computers.
• Knowledge of contracting regulations, requirements, & specific contract specifications including performance-based contracts.

Preferred Experience: Lifecycle management & technical support of diagnostic, therapeutic devices, monitoring, & other equipment utilized in the practice of medicine, & to improve clinical care provided by doctors, nurses, & other clinical staff throughout VA.

References: VA Handbook 5005/95, Pt. II, Appdx G49

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-05 to GS-11.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive & Handbook 5019.