Department: Department of Veterans Affairs
Location(s): Seattle, Washington
Salary Range: $45331 - $108029 Per Year
Job Summary: Serves as a Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist (BESS) at the full performance level within a Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) department at VA Puget Sound Health Care System. Works in support of the medical equipment management program. Troubleshoots and performs planned maintenance on a range of medical devices and clinical systems.
Major Duties:
Qualifications: To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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. 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. Foreign Education: To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program by a private organization specializing in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials. **NOTE: Applicants MUST submit copies of applicable transcript(s) or certification(s) with graduation/conferred date (unofficial copies are acceptable) . 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: Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist, GS-05 Experience or Education: None beyond the basic requirements. Assignment: Employees at this grade level serve as entry-level developmental BESSs. It is expected that they receive guidance from more experienced staff members and require regular supervision. BESSs at this grade level perform basic tasks designed to prepare them for promotion. They troubleshoot and perform planned maintenance on general medical equipment. Entry-level BESSs assist with incoming inspections and documentation. Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist, GS-07 Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade. **In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): Knowledge of physics, anatomy, and physiology. Knowledge of electronics such as analog, digital, and microprocessor theory. Knowledge of the use of standard level test equipment such as multimeters, electrical safety analyzers, patient simulators, storage oscilloscopes, manometers, and tachometers. Knowledge of basic networking concepts, such as computer and server hardware and software functionality, information technologies and computer virus protection software, available software patches and upgrades, and information security tools (for example, Microsoft Office, Windows operating systems, and McAfee). Skill in documenting all services provided in support of medical equipment and clinical systems in a computerized maintenance management system. Ability to learn equipment operating and maintenance procedures. Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist, GS-09 Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade. **In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of basic networking concepts including Access Control List (ACL), Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), and Virtual Local Area Networks (VLAN). Knowledge of computer and server hardware and software functionality including virus protection, operating system patches and upgrades, and information security tools. Ability to interpret a variety of technical data such as schematic drawings, wiring diagrams, table charts, mathematical expressions, and formulas. Ability to use standard level test equipment including multi-meters, electrical safety analyzers, patient simulators, storage oscilloscopes, manometers, and tachometers. Ability to perform equipment maintenance and operating procedures. Biomedical Equipment Support Specialist, GS-11 Experience: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade. **In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of standards including National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Joint Commission (TJC), and the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) for safe operation of medical equipment and clinical systems. Skill in using test and calibration equipment including digital multimeters, electrical safety analyzers, defibrillator analyzers, patient simulators, manometers, tachometers, and Local Area Network (LAN) analyzers. Skill in interpreting a variety of technical data including schematic drawings and wiring diagrams. Skill in applying networking principles, such as Access Control List (ACL), Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), and Virtual Local Area Networks (VLAN). Ability to perform advanced testing to troubleshoot medical equipment and clinical system interfaces. Ability to maintain medical computers and software. Ability to manage projects involving medical equipment and clinical systems. Preferred Experience: Preferred applicants are those applicants with at least 12 months of experience in life cycle management of some medical systems such as imaging, life support, dialysis, and monitoring to include physical and network support as well as the demonstration of the fundamental knowledge of the Joint Commission (TJC) and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) roles and responsibilities in their association with Facilities Management, and Health Technology Management. 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-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-5 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 lbs. and over), moderate lifting and carrying (15-44 lbs.), light lifting and carrying (under 15 lbs.), pushing, reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands, walking, standing, repeated bending, climbing (use of legs and arms), operation of motor vehicle, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, vision correctable to at least 20/50 in one eye and 20/100 in the other, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic colors, ability to distinguish shades of colors, and mental and emotional stability. Environmental factors include, solvents (degreasing agents), radiant energy, electrical energy, working on ladders or scaffolding, working closely with others, and working alone.
How to Apply: All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 11/28/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12836257. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
Application Deadline: 2025-11-28