Chief, Biomedical Engineer

United States Department of Veterans Affairs - Richmond, VA

Part-time,Full-time - Senior

Onsite - Richmond, VA

Administration of Human Resource Programs

About the position

The Chief Biomedical Engineer is responsible for the professional and administrative management of the Biomedical Engineering Section at the Central Virginia VA Health Care System, which is a tertiary care and university-affiliated 1A complexity VA teaching and research health care system. This system has a medical equipment asset value exceeding $110 million, including over $90 million at the Richmond VA Medical Center, along with six community-based outpatient clinics and an upcoming health care center in Fredericksburg, Virginia. The role is crucial in ensuring that the facility's medical equipment inventory is available for patient care activities, thereby supporting and advancing patient care through the application of engineering and managerial skills to healthcare technology. The Chief Biomedical Engineer is tasked with conducting an equipment management program that adheres to the current standards set by The Joint Commission (TJC) and the National Fire Protection Association. This includes evaluating other programs within the VA Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network and ensuring compliance with safety and quality assurance measures. Additionally, the position involves managing a continuing education program for professional staff, focusing on the principles and application of medical instrumentation used in healthcare delivery. This program extends beyond the facility to include the VISN and national program office, and may involve teaching at higher learning institutions. Another significant responsibility is managing a recall and safety alert program for medical devices, which includes conducting investigations into medical device incidents to ensure compliance with patient safety goals and relevant regulations. The Chief Biomedical Engineer also serves as an advisor to senior clinical and leadership staff on medical technology, providing insights on existing and emerging technologies, their viability, long-term suitability, and safety. The role requires conducting capital asset and infrastructure planning for medical equipment, which encompasses everything from initial concept to installation and effective implementation. The Chief Biomedical Engineer participates in capital asset planning at the VISN and national levels, analyzing operational and organizational problems to develop timely and economical solutions that meet the needs of the facility and the broader network. This position also involves serving as an institutional expert in complex and specialized clinical technology, providing support across multiple sites, and performing other directly related duties as assigned.

Responsibilities

• Conducts an equipment management program that meets current The Joint Commission (TJC) and National Fire Protection Association requirements.
• Evaluates other programs in the VA Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network, Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 6.
• Assures provision of a continuing education program for professional staff addressing the principles and application of medical instrumentation used in healthcare delivery.
• Manages a recall and safety alert program for medical devices, including medical device incident investigations to assure compliance with patient safety goals, Safe Medical Devices Act (SMDA), and TJC requirements.
• Analyzes recall and safety alert programs for other medical centers and/or conducts medical equipment investigations for the VISN or national program office.
• Serves as advisor to senior clinical and leadership staff on medical technology, including existing and emerging technology, addressing viability, long-term suitability, compatibility, and/or safety.
• Conducts capital asset and infrastructure planning for medical equipment spanning initial concept, installation, and effective implementation of complex medical equipment.
• Participates at the VISN and/or national level with capital asset planning.
• Analyzes operational and organizational problems and develops timely and economical solutions to meet facility, VISN, and/or national needs.
• Serves as institutional expert who directly supports the most complex and specialized clinical technology including service, system administration, training, and quality assurance for multiple sites.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• Must have a bachelor's degree or higher in Engineering from an accredited institution.
• Completion of at least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower level in a supervisory Biomedical Engineer role.
• Ability to manage overall department resources, including finance, space, equipment, supplies, and staffing at a highly complex medical center or at the VISN level.
• Ability to develop local or VISN policies and/or draft directives related to healthcare technology management.
• Skill in balancing multiple responsibilities, setting priorities, delegating tasks and projects, and meeting multiple deadlines.
• Ability to analyze complex organizational and operational problems to develop and implement solutions that result in efficient operations.
• Skill in interpersonal relationships leading and dealing with employees, team leaders, and managers.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package as a federal employee, including access to a range of benefits designed to support a rewarding career.
• Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position held (full-time, part-time, or intermittent).