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
• 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
• 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.