Biomedical Engineer

Summary

A Biomedical Engineer (BME) for the Louisville VA Health Care System (LVAHCS), the incumbent provides professional engineering support to a complex, highly technical, and service-oriented Healthcare Technology Management Service. The Biomedical Engineering Program includes medical technology assessment, strategic planning, acquisition support, implementation, coordination, equipment management, and ongoing maintenance support.

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Duties

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A Biomedical Engineer (BME) for the Louisville VA Health Care System (LVAHCS), the incumbent provides professional engineering support to a complex, highly technical, and service-oriented Healthcare Technology Management Service. The Biomedical Engineering Program includes medical technology assessment, strategic planning, acquisition support, implementation, coordination, equipment management, and ongoing maintenance support.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Participate in technology assessment of medical equipment systems by working collaboratively with medical staff to evaluate market offerings, determine medical center requirements, design system configurations, and develop specifications.
• Coordinates implementation of medical technology including assessing installation and site preparation requirements, managing project timelines, monitoring installation, and facilitating training of equipment operators and maintainers.
• Leading and managing installation or upgrade projects for medical devices and systems. This includes but is not limited to pre-implementation planning and coordination with end users, vendors, and other onsite support staff (OIT, Informatics, SPS, etc.).
• Investigates, remediates and documents Repairable Medical Device (RMD) recalls and safety alerts issued through the VA Alerts and Recall Management System (ARMS) within established timeframes.
• Assist with medical device recalls and hazard alerts that are managed and acted upon as appropriate and that equipment related safety enhancements are implemented in RRVAMC.
• Consults on medical center construction projects, space functional changes, and associated planning with respect to medical technologies and medical- related technologies.
• Supports an equipment management program that allows RRVAMC to meet the requirements set by accrediting organizations such as The Joint Commission (TJC) and the College of American Pathologists (CAP).
• Analyze organizational and operational problems and recommend timely and economical solutions involving medical equipment spanning initial concept, installation, and effective implementation of complex medical equipment.
• Analyze maintenance strategies including review of out-sourcing versus in-house support.
• Analyze and recommend optimal maintenance strategies for medical instrumentation systems.
• Conduct an equipment management program that meets current TJC and NFPA requirements
• Advise clinical and administrative staff on medical engineering technology including existing and emerging technology addressing viability, long-term suitability, compatibility, and/or safety while keeping abreast of changes in technology and utilizing information gained in the solution of biomedical engineering problems.
• All other tasks as assigned

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 0800-1630

Telework: Not available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 41249-F, 41250-F, 41198-F, 40268-F

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• 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 ( 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 examination.
• 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.

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:

• 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. Biomedical Engineers must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part.
• Education and/or Experience. The individual must meet either item (1) or (2) below to meet this requirement:

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,

Certification as a Certified Clinical Engineer (CCE) and a bachelor's degree not listed above.

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).

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

Biomedical Engineer,] GS-7 (Entry Level)

• (a) Experience. None beyond the basic requirements.
• (b) Education. Bachelor's degree as outlined above, OR CCE certification with at least a bachelor's degree not listed.
• (c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities None beyond the basic requirements.

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 above OR
  
  
  • ii. Bachelor's degree, as outlined above, 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 healthcare 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.

Biomedical Engineer, GS-11 (Developmental Level 2)

• (a) Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower level GS-9, 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 above OR,
  
  
  • ii. Bachelor's degree, plus three full years of progressively higher level graduate education in a related field of study, as outlined above.
• (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.

Biomedical Engineer, GS-12 (Full Performance Level)

• (a) Experience. Completion of at least [one] year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower level GS-11; 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 ;br>
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: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service.

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: 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: ;br>
Additional information

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.