BIOMEDICAL EQUIPMENT SUPPORT SPECIALIST-(Biomedical Information Systems)

Basic Requirements : a. Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. After a determination is made that it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens, necessary personnel may be appointed on a temporary basis under authority of 38 U.

S.C. 7405 without regard to the citizenship requirements of 38 U.S.C. 7402 or any other law prohibiting the employment of or payment of compensation to a person who is not a citizen of the United States.

Candidates must meet all other requirements for the grade and position concerned. b. 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.

c. Licensure / Certification / Registration. None d. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. e. English Language Proficiency.

Candidates will not be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C. chapters 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English.

See Chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. Grade Determinations : Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (Biomedical Information Systems), GS-12 (1) Experience.

At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. (2) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs).

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs : (a) Current knowledge of computer virus protection software, available software patches and upgrades, and information security tools.

b) 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.

c) 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.

d) Ability to interpret, identify, and apply network engineering principles and practices where there often times is no previous example to follow, or precedence.

e) Skill to distinguish networking problems from non-networking problems and discuss various options with IT networking and operations staff members.

3) 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.

References : VA HANDBOOK 5005 / 95 PART II APPENDIX G49