V.A. Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System

TITLE 38 HYBRID VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Supervisory Biomedical Engineer, GS-858-13 (Full-Time)

 Engineering Service

• Announcement No. 09-1075 (AG)
• Opening Date:  January 8, 2010
• Grade: GS-858-13                                    
• Closing Dates:  February 8, 2010
• Salary Range: $91,141 - $118,481 PA
• Duty Location:  West Los Angeles, CA
• Vacancies:1                                                                            

THIS POSITION IS OPEN TO ALL US CITIZENS

Selected candidate must serve a one year supervisory probationary period unless previously completed

Upon availability living quarters may be offered for lease, relocation and/or recruitment incentive pay, and creditable service for annual leave accrual may be offered. “Applicant(s) selected for this position will be eligible to apply for an award up to the maximum limitation under the provisions of the Education Debt Reduction Program”

RESPONSIBILITIES

The position of a Supervisory Biomedical Engineer (clinical) is responsible for the professional and administrative management of biomedical engineering section for the Greater Los Angeles Healthcare system (GLAHS). In addition, the incumbent is the program official for GLAHS’ environmental of Care Medical Equipment Management Program.  Within this section the incumbent will supervise lead Biomedical Equipment Support Specialists, Biomedical Equipment support Specialists and Biomedical Trainees with highly sophisticated knowledge of the operations, functioning, and repair of state-of-the-art medical equipment. This group’s primary goal is to manage by documenting, inspecting, accident investigating, life expectancy determination, interact with project staff, F/U on replacements, recall investigation/repairs, replacements, pre-operational system testing, inventorying, and monitoring contractors performing repairs on a wide range of medical equipment and systems. The incumbent is the Senior Biomedical Engineer with direct overall responsibility for planning & forecasting, submitting projects, technical support, designing and construction of projects, and patient safety programs. The supervisory position is responsible for development of performance standards and performance evaluations, recommendations for appointment, awards, advancements, and when appropriate, disciplinary actions, and identification of continuing training needs, time and attendance, work assignment and performance for all assigned individuals. This position is considered a first-line supervisory position that provides expertise in the planning, design, construction, testing, documentation, modification, installation, maintenance and training of highly sophisticated biomedical instrumentation systems that are primarily electronic in nature. These clinical information systems are on local area networks and may be interfaced with other medical equipment. The incumbent and his/her staff are responsible, but not limited to medical equipment (CT scanners, gamma cameras, magnetic resonance imaging systems, ultrasound, echocardiography, digital angiography, cardiac catheterization systems, and picture archiving medical information communications systems) that integrate highly sophisticated medical instrumentation systems using different computer software, hardware, mechanics, and communications protocols. In addition, are responsible for analyzing equipment, malfunctions using selections of electronic and/or mechanical test equipment, technical data, schematics, approval of equipment purchase requests for space and utilities verification, preparation coordination, interpretation of technical specification, standards, followed by regulatory agencies set by SMDA, NFPA and JCAHO.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

-Citizen of the United States

-English Language Proficiency:  If you are appointed to a direct patient-care position or position incident to direct patient care, proficiency in spoken and written English is required in accordance with 38 USC 4105

(1) BASIC REQUIREMENTS: Bachelors Degree in Professional Engineering, with at least 1 curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) as a professional engineering curriculum or include differential and integral calculus, and courses (More advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in 5 of the following 7 areas of engineering science or physics: (1) statics and/or dynamics; (2) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships);(3) fluid mechanics and/or hydraulics; (4) thermodynamics; (5) electrical fields and circuits;(6) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); or (7) fundamental engineering science physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.

Plus

(2) One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-12 grade level in Federal Service as a professional Supervisory Biomedical Engineer in providing quality assessment/performance improvements activities; participating in developing policies and procedures.

-Candidates within the Federal Service must meet Time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

Or

(3) Combination of education and experience:   College-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished: [a] a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying professional engineering; and [b] a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to 1 of the branches of engineering.  The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by 1 of the following:

1. Professional registration:  Current registration as a professional engineer by any State, Territory, Commonwealth of the United States (e.g., Puerto Rico) or the District of Columbia.
2. Written Test: Evidence of having successfully passed the Engineer-in-Training (EIT) examination, or the written test required for professional registration, which is administered by the Boards of Engineering Examiners of the State, Territory, Commonwealth of the United States.
3. Specific academic course:  Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of course in physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and in engineering that included the courses specified in the basic requirements.  The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of a professional engineering curriculum in physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, maybe accepted in lieu of a degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance.

JOB ELEMENTS

Your rating will be based on the quality of your experience as shown in your application and elements. Listed below are the knowledge, skills and abilities considered essential for successful performance in this position. Provide, on a separate sheet of paper, a DETAILED description of your experience as related to the knowledge, skills and abilities listed below.

I. Ability to initiate new ideas and approaches, and demonstrate resourcefulness.

II. Ability to manage resources, i.e., space, equipment, supplies, staff, at the local level.

III. Ability to draft and/or recommend local policies and/or directives.

IV. Skills in managing a biomedical engineering program at the local level.

Best-Qualified candidates will be determined by the selecting official based upon Performance Based Interviews and/or the written responses of the KSAO’s element above.

How to Apply

(1) An Application for Associated Health Occupations, VA Form 10-2850C (http:/www.va.gov/vaforms)

(2) SF-15, Application for 10-point Veteran Preference and required documentation if claiming 10-point preference, Your VA disability confirmation letter must be dated within the preceding 12 months, Official preference statements do not mention the type of disability and can be obtained by calling 1-800-827-1000.

(3) SF-50b, Notification of Personnel Action, that shows your current/former position, title, series, grade, step, salary, tenure group, type of appointment (If current or former Federal employee).

(4) Narrative statement addressing each of the job elements.

(5) College Transcript-If qualifying on the basis of your education/training.

Application packages are available in our Human Resources-Customer Service area located at the address below or you may call us at (310) 268-4154.  Our office hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00am to 4:00pm PST, except Federal holidays.  Applications must be received by the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. Please mail or bring your application package to:                                                              

VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare Center

11301 Wilshire Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA  90073

Bldg. 218, Rm. 35

Human Resources (10A2)

The Department of Veterans Affairs is an Equal Opportunity Employer.