Biomedical Engineer (Rehab Engineer)

Biomedical Engineer (Rehab Engineer)

Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration

Department of Veterans Affairs

San Antonio, Texas

Starting at $73,375 (GS 12)

Permanent • Full-Time

Open 12/21/2018 to 06/18/2019

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Overview

Open & closing dates

 12/21/2018 to 06/18/2019

Service

Excepted

Pay scale & grade

GS 12

Salary

$73,375 to $95,388 per year

Appointment type

Permanent

Work schedule

Full-Time

Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

San Antonio, TX

Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

Telework eligible

No

This job is open to

Federal employees - Excepted service

Current excepted service federal employees.

Internal to an agency

Current federal employees of this agency.

The public

U.S. citizens, nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Veterans

Announcement number

CBAR-10379949-19-HEC

Control number

520291800

Duties

Summary

The position requires the analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of various tasks and measures related to assistive technology.

***Applications will be reviewed and referred once a month. The cut off dates are midnight EST on 1/18/2019, 2/18/2019, 3/18/2019, 04/18/2019, 05/20/2019 and 06/18/2019. If a selection is made, the announcement may close prior to 06/18/2019.***

Responsibilities

The position is assigned to the Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center (PRC) under the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service. This individual is part of a comprehensive interdisciplinary team that provides guidance on assistive technology services with emphasis on human characteristics, functional task/activity demands and requirements, commercially available technologies, and contextual environments.

Services include the application of assistive technology devices, practices, and strategies within a service delivery model that includes assessment, recommendation, implementation, training, and follow-up services. Services include integration of devices across multiple environments and may involve product design, fabrication, modification, and installation of unique and individualized technologies. Services may relate to any/all of the following: computers, augmentative alternative communication (AAC), electronic cognitive devices, seating and positioning, mobility (manual and power wheelchairs), adaptive devices for daily living, sports and recreation, drivers training and modifications within specific environmental settings (work, home, and school). While this position is assigned to PRC, it is expected that the services of this position may well reach out to other areas in the medical facility as well as to other medical facilities within the VA system.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status

No

Promotion Potential

12

Job family (Series)

0858 Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering

Similar jobs

Biomedical Engineers

Engineers, Biomedical

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job

Designated and/or random drug testing may be required

Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959

You may be required to serve a probationary period

Subject to a background/security investigation

Must be proficient in written and spoken English

Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

Citizenship: Citizen of the United States

Education and/or Experience:

Bachelor's degree:Professional engineering. To be acceptable, the curriculum must: (a) Be in a school of engineering with at least 1 curriculum accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) as a professional engineering curriculum; or, (b) 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) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.

OR,

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:

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. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than a written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration. For example, an applicant who attains registration through a State board's eminence provision as a manufacturing engineer typically would not be rated eligible for biomedical engineering positions.

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 a State, Territory, Commonwealth of the United States (e.g., Puerto Rico), or the District of Columbia.

Preferred Experience:

Certified Engineering degree from an ABET accredited Engineering Program.

Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) certification or ATP eligible from the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA).

Rehabilitation Engineering Technologist (RET) certification or RET eligible from the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA)

Grade Determinations:

Actual Grade and Salary will be determined by the Professional Standard Board (PSB) based on your demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

GS-05:

Knowledge of, and ability to apply, the principles, theories, concepts, and practices of the engineering profession.

Skill to effectively communicate both orally and in writing with a wide variety of individuals, including communicating highly technical information.

Knowledge of, and ability to interpret and apply, relevant codes, regulations, guidelines, and standards associated with engineering.

Ability to analyze organizational and operational problems and develop timely and economical solutions.

Ability to keep abreast of changes in technology and to utilize information gained in the solution of engineering problems.

GS-07:

Ability to prepare written and graphic presentations for other technical staff including technicians and other junior engineers.

Knowledge of relevant codes, regulations, guidelines, and standards.

Ability to learn organizational concepts to meet operational needs.

Ability to learn new technology and identify changes and trends for presentation to other technical staff.

GS-09:

Knowledge of the principles, theories, concepts, and practices of the biomedical engineering profession.

Knowledge of relevant codes, regulations, guidelines, and standards, and the ability to make recommendations to assure compliance with medical center programs.

Knowledge of organizational concepts and an understanding of the operational needs of other administrative hospital services.

Ability to prepare material on current technical topics and trends for presentation to other technical staff and mid-level hospital management, and the ability to keep abreast of changes in technology.

GS-11:

Knowledge of an equipment management program that meets current Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Health Care Organizations (JCAHO) and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) requirements.

Ability to develop material for a continuing education program for clinical staff that addresses the principles and application of medical instrumentation used in the delivery of healthcare.

Ability to advise clinical and administrative staff on emerging medical engineering technology, while keeping abreast of changes in such technology, and utilizing the information to solve biomedical engineering problems..

GS-12:

Ability to conduct an equipment management program that meets current JCAHO and NFPA requirements

Ability to develop a curriculum for a continuing education program that addresses the safe and effective use of assistive and rehabilitation equipment and/or assistive and rehabilitation technology.

Ability to manage a recall and safety alert program for medical devices including medical device hazard investigations to assure compliance with patient safety goals, SMDA, and JCAHO requirements.

Skill in advising clinical and administrative staff on assistive and rehabilitation technology, including existing and emerging technology and which addresses viability, long-term suitability, compatibility, and/or safety.

Ability to analyze organizational and operational problems and recommend timely and economical solutions involving medical equipment spanning initial concept, installation, and effective implementation of complex medical equipment for an assistive technology and rehabilitation technology program.

References: VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G38.

Physical Requirements: Heavy lifting (45 pounds and over), Straight Pulling/Pushing, Reaching above shoulder, Use both hands, Walking, Standing, Crawling, Kneeling, Repeated bending, Operation of crane, truck, tractor, or motor vehicle, Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, Specific visual requirement - Permit Corrective Lens, Ability to distinguish basic colors, Hearing (aid permitted), Mental and Emotional Stability.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Additional information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

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

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

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.

If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.

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, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

NOTE: The Professional Standards Board (a peer-review group) will review the selected candidate's education and experience and recommend the grade and salary at which the candidate will be placed. For internal selectees eligible for promotion, the board will determine grade and HR will determine step in accordance with policy.

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.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance

Public Trust - Background Investigation

Drug test required

Yes

Required Documents

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

Resume

VA Form 10-2850c Application for Associated Health Occupations can be found at: http://www.va.gov/vaforms/search_action.asp?FormNo=2850&tkey=&Action=Search.

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to 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, documentation to support Veterans Preference or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees).

Cover Letter

DD-214

OF-306

Other

Other Veterans Document

Resume

SF-15

SF-50

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 http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. Government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Learn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time, or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

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 06/18/2019 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/10379949.

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.

To verify your application is complete, log into your USA JOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

Agency contact information

 Hector Velez

Phone

2106175133

Email

[email protected]

Address

Audie L Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital

7400 Merton Minter Boulevard

San Antonio, TX 78229

US

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.

Fair & Transparent

The Federal hiring process is setup to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) for federal employees & job applicants

Reasonable Accommodation Policy

Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process should follow the instructions in the job opportunity announcement. For any part of the remaining hiring process, applicants should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

A reasonable accommodation is any change to a job, the work environment, or the way things are usually done that enables an individual with a disability to apply for a job, perform job duties or receive equal access to job benefits.

Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodations when:

An applicant with a disability needs an accommodation to have an equal opportunity to apply for a job.

An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to perform the essential job duties or to gain access to the workplace.

An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to receive equal access to benefits, such as details, training, and office-sponsored events.

You can request a reasonable accommodation at any time during the application or hiring process or while on the job. Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.

Learn more about disability employment and reasonable accommodations or how to contact an agency.