Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (Biomedical Information Systems)

The Southern Arizona VA Health Care System (SAVAHCS) is recruiting for a Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (Biomedical Information Systems) in support of the Biomedical Engineering Department, within Facilities Management Service in Tucson, AZ. The primary purpose is to provide clinical and administrative support to staff, patients, and administrators for all matters of concern relating to the facility-wide lifecycle management of networked medical equipment and associated systems.

Qualifications:

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: Proficient in written and spoken English
• 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.

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 Determination: Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (Biomedical Information Systems) GS-12:
Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

1. Current knowledge of computer virus protection software, available software patches and upgrades, and information security tools.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Ability to interpret, identify, and apply network engineering principles and practices where there often times is no previous example to follow, or precedence.
5. 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 of typical 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.

References: VA Handbook 5005/95 Part II Appendix G49 Dated February 7, 2018 Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist Qualification Standard Veterans Health Administration.

Physical Requirements: The work involves some walking and carrying diagnostic equipment. The work does not involve regular and recurring physical exertion or lifting of moderately heavy equipment.

Responsibilities:

Duties include but not limited to:

• Lifecycle management of network equipment including but not limited to network switches, servers, routers and related infrastructure for any and all networked complex medical devices and systems such as imaging, life support, dialysis, and physiological monitoring.
• Manages, troubleshoots, and maintains complete systems of computerized networks, databases, and servers including but not limited to biomedical information systems that store or facilitate patient information.
• Implements and plans for new and emerging technologies including but not limited to diagnostic modalities, network management and storage, and virtual data centers.
• Designs, implements and manages network incident response due to infection, loss of service, or regional and local policy changes according to VA guidelines.
• Responsible for lifecycle management of any and all medical devices and systems such as imaging, life support, dialysis, and physiological monitoring to include physical and network support.
• Maintains functional knowledge of relevant safety codes and standards of regulatory bodies including but not limited to The Joint Commission (TJC), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI), American College of Radiology (ACR), Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS).
• Documents all work performed in the computerized maintenance management system (CMMS). This documentation is completed in accordance with regulatory body requirements, Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) Documentation of Services guidelines, and other organizational requirements.
• Investigates, remediates, and documents recalls and safety alerts within established timeframes. Participates in local safety improvement processes such as Root Cause Analysis (RCA), safety work groups, and Environment of Care Rounds.
• Maintains knowledge of state-of-the-art medical technology, including scientific advances, network protocols, and vendor changes.
• Provides training and education as appropriate to medical technology end users and clinical staff.

Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 0000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required