Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S. "If you are a current and permanent VHA employee or federal employee, please consider applying to our internal announcement CBSU-13040531-26-CJ"

FUNCTIONS OR SCOPES OF PRACTICE

• Provides guidance and mentorship for professional and technical development.
• Facilitates training of HTM staff to develop knowledge of medical equipment and clinical systems.
• Establishes and revises workload distribution to address daily priorities.
• Monitors metrics, analyzes data, and supports performance improvement activities.
• Serves as a subject matter expert on assigned committees, projects, and workgroups.
• Apprises management of performance and conduct of HTM staff.
• Identifies opportunities to improve customer service and satisfaction, and addresses customer feedback effectively and in a timely manner.
• Serves as a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR).
• Serves as a Government Purchase Card (GPC) holder, approving official, or alternate approving official.
• Maintains and enhances knowledge in technological advancements through professional development and technical training.
• Manages the lifecycle of medical equipment and clinical systems.
• Troubleshoots medical equipment and clinical systems using a variety of technical data and completes corrective action.
• Performs incoming inspections and planned maintenance on medical equipment and clinical systems.
• Documents all work in the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS).
• Responds to and remediates hazard alerts, recall notifications, and incidents concerning medical equipment and clinical systems. Documents all actions in the appropriate system.
• Monitors system backups, ensures network connectivity, mitigates cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and maintains clinical systems.
• Utilizes test equipment in accordance with manufacturer instructions.
• Manages projects involving medical equipment and clinical systems.
• Provides customer support to staff, evaluates issues and needs, responds with solutions, and keeps customers abreast of status.
• Educates staff on the safe operation and user-level maintenance of medical equipment and clinical systems.
• Develops documentation to purchase commodities and/or vendor services.
• Manages, monitors, and evaluates contractor performance and addresses issues or deficiencies.
• Maintains knowledge of and complies with applicable standards, policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Revises work schedules to meet anticipated and unanticipated changes in the workload.
• Assigns daily work to staff, establishing priorities based on workload related to
• BESS and ensures that each employee has an integral role in developing the final team product.
• Reviews progress of work assignments, modifies as needed and checks completed work for accuracy. Ensures SOPs and standards are followed.
• May be asked to assist in other administrative duties as well, including participating in hiring panels.

Supervisory Controls

• Reports directly to a Supervisory BESS and in the absence of the Supervisory BESS, reports to a Supervisory Biomedical Engineer. Receives assignments, objectives, and direction that are broad in scope. Functions independently for all professional and technical aspect. Responsible for planning and organizing their own work, coordinating with staff and management personnel as appropriate. Work is periodically assessed for overall technical adequacy and conformance with VHA procedures and practices.

Work Schedule: Monday to Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statements: 57200-0
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May Be Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• 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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). 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.
• 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: Be a citizen of the United States (U.S.). Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens according to 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a).
• Education, Experience, or Certification.
  • Associates or higher degree in the biomedical technology or biomedical engineering field; OR
  • Associates or higher degree in electronics, a field of information technology, or engineering (other than biomedical engineering) AND 1 year of creditable experience; OR
  • Completion of the Department of Defense (DOD) biomedical equipment technician training program; OR
  • Completion of a DOD training program in repair and maintenance of electronic systems or information technology AND 1 year of creditable experience; OR
  • Completion of a biomedical engineering technician or Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) certificate program that included an internship or apprenticeship; OR
  • Completion of biomedical engineering technician or HTM certificate program that did not include an internship AND 1 year of creditable experience; OR
  • Hold or having ever held certification as a Certified Biomedical Equipment Technician (CBET), Certified Radiology Equipment Specialist (CRES), Certified Laboratory Equipment Specialist (CLES), or Certified Healthcare Technology Manager (CHTM). Continuous maintenance of certification is not required throughout VHA employment.

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).

• Employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or be changed to a lower grade within the occupation, but they may not be promoted beyond the journey level or be newly placed in supervisory or managerial positions.
• Employees 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.
• Employees retained in this occupation under this provision who subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation.

NOTE: This provision is not intended to regularize appointments/placements.

Grade Determinations:
Lead Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist, GS-12.

• Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade.
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
  • Skill in managing projects involving medical equipment and clinical systems.
  • Skill in resolving customer concerns.
  • Ability to comply with standards for safe operation of medical equipment and clinical systems including National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), the Joint Commission (TJC), and the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI).
  • Ability to lead staff in managing daily work assignments and priorities.
  • Ability to mentor staff in professional and technical development.
  • Ability to analyze data to monitor overall program effectiveness.
• Assignment. For all Lead assignments BESS must spend at least 25% or more of their time performing lead duties. In addition to the duties of an FPL BESS, they support the biomedical engineering management team. They work with the supervisor to distribute and prioritize work among employees, monitor progress of work assignments, and revise schedules to meet workload demands. Lead BESSs assist technicians with repairs and resolutions. They analyze data and prepare reports and plan, implement, and provide technical and project oversight for medical equipment and clinical systems. Lead BESSs instruct employees on work related activities, and monitor compliance to policies, procedures, and goals. They provide information to management concerning performance, assignment changes, and task completion. Lead BESSs facilitate employee training to develop working knowledge of medical equipment and clinical systems. They provide mentorship and guidance to staff. Lead BESSs serve as a SME on assigned committees, projects, and workgroups. They resolve customer service concerns.

Preferred Experience:

• Leadership. Demonstrated experience in leading and training Biomedical Technicians, with a proven ability to mentor, guide, and develop team members to achieve high standards of performance and technical proficiency.
• Contracting Officer Representative. Must possess current COR Level I, II, or III certification, or be eligible to obtain certification prior to contract award
• Professional Certification. Candidates are required to have a current or prior certification in one or more of the following areas: Certified Biomedical Equipment Technician (CBET), Certified Radiology Equipment Specialist (CRES), Certified Laboratory Equipment Specialist (CLES), Certified Associate in Biomedical Technology (CABT), or Certified Healthcare Technology Manager (CHTM)."

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: The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume

Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field.

Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field.

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Other (1)
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

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