Seeking Biomedical Technicians and Biomedical Technologists

Important messages

Are you looking for a meaningful career in the biomedical field? Do you want to be part of Canada’s national emergency response strategy? Join the Public Health Agency of Canada! Do you have:

• a minimum of a two-year college diploma from an accredited institution in Biomedical Equipment Technology, Biomedical Electronics Technology, or Biomedical Engineering Technology from an accredited post-secondary institution or a related discipline?
• knowledge of electronic theory, techniques and practices?
• a passion for working with technology and maintaining advanced medical equipment?
• the ability to use state-of-the-art testing tools and equipment?
• keen judgement and exceptional decision-making?

then keep reading to find out more about this exciting opportunity!

The intent of this process is to create and maintain an inventory of candidates to staff various positions within the Public Health Agency of Canada’s National Emergency Strategic Stockpile (NESS). Successful candidates will be considered for positions on a growing team that provide support and maintenance for biomedical equipment - a key component of Canada’s public health infrastructure during emergencies such as infectious disease outbreaks and natural disasters.

We have an immediate need for candidates, and will also have future needs. As such, applications will be pulled from the inventory on a regular basis. The first retrieval of applications will be on September 14, 2020. Applicants who hope to be part of the first round will need to have submitted their application by this date. Subsequent retrievals will be conducted on a bi-weekly basis.

If this sounds like an exciting opportunity to you, please confirm that you meet the criteria for one of the positions and apply now! The application process is simple. You only need to confirm your profile within your account on GC jobs which includes your education level, select the position(s) you are interested in, and upload your resume and a covering letter. Come join this important team!

Duties

As a Biomedical Technician (EL-03), your role consists of troubleshooting, performing maintenance service and conducting repairs on National Emergency Strategic Stockpile (NESS) biomedical equipment and devices. This includes a broad range of equipment – everything from infusion pumps to pulse oximeters. Some of the duties for this level include:

• Carrying out scheduled maintenance tasks on biomedical equipment in accordance with the governing preventive maintenance life cycle management schedule;
• Calibrating, testing and repairing a variety of biomedical equipment and devices in the NESS store to ensure operationally ready at all times;
• Inspecting and performing tests on biomedical equipment to ensure technical and operational compliance with standards and regulations and with manufacturers’ specifications and preparing reports that summarize findings;
• Caring for tools and equipment, ensuring that all tooling required for assigned tasks are in satisfactory condition and within calibrations, and maintaining the custody of tools and equipment;
• Completing maintenance forms and inputting data into the maintenance database.
• Maintaining a safe and clean workspace to prevent potentially dangerous incidents or accidents.
• Participating as a member of project teams involved in preventive maintenance programs.

As a Biomedical Technologist (EL-04), your role consists of performing complex diagnostics to identify the source of issues in biomedical equipment and devices, performing required adjustments and repairs, equipment inspections and testing, and conducting maintenance and repairs on National Emergency Strategic Stockpile (NESS) biomedical equipment. Some of the duties for this level include:

• Calibrating, maintaining and upgrading a variety of biomedical equipment and devices in the NESS inventory in accordance with the manufacturer's life cycle management schedule and specifications and CSA standards;
• Diagnosing issues and malfunctions in biomedical equipment and devices, researching possible alterations with applicable engineering sources or manufacturers’ customer support, conducting the required repairs and performs tests to ensure soundness;
• Performing quality control, performance and safety testing on biomedical equipment, certifying safety and reliability or identifying issues and recommending actions and/or performing corrective actions;
• Maintaining accurate records on the performance history of biomedical equipment and devices, as well as maintenance and repairs, in the database;
• Installing modifications to electronic equipment to meet new requirements and/or responding to recall notices to improve serviceability;
• Caring for tools and equipment, ensuring that all tooling required for assigned tasks are in satisfactory condition and within calibrations, and maintaining the custody of tools and equipment;
• Providing demonstrations and instructions to the health emergency response team on the operation of biomedical equipment and devices.

Work environment

Who are we?
The Public Health Agency of Canada empowers Canadians to improve their health. In partnership with others, its activities focus on preventing disease and injuries, promoting good physical and mental health, and providing information to support informed decision making. It values scientific excellence and provides national leadership in response to public health threats.

The Office of Emergency Preparedness is responsible for the Centre's overall strategic and management planning. It manages emergency preparedness and emergency response plans and keeps them up to date. It develops and runs exercises to train emergency workers so they are ready to put those plans into action. This office is also responsible for developing and delivering training courses that teach health workers how to respond to emergency situations. We support Canada’s National Emergency Strategic Stockpile (NESS). The NESS contains supplies that provinces and territories can request in emergencies, such as infectious disease outbreaks, natural disasters and other public health events, when their own resources are not enough. These supplies include a variety of items such as:
• medical equipment and supplies
• pharmaceuticals
• social service supplies, such as beds and blankets

Learn more about the history, capabilities, and national emergencies that the NESS stockpile has helped to respond to here: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/emergency-preparedness-response/national-emergency-strategic-stockpile.html

Welcome to Ottawa!

These positions will be located in Ottawa, Ontario, which is the best ranked city to live in Canada!

Canadian Business magazine called Ottawa Canada’s best place to live based on incomes, car ownership, employment rates, housing, weather and lifestyle. The Conference Board of Canada gave the capital high marks for welcoming newcomers. Ottawa is a globally recognized, innovative and future-ready city! Come live, work, and play in the only G7 capital where you can go whitewater rafting just a few hundred metres from the centre of government. You can visit many of the country’s national museums, and take an epic paddle, cruise or skate on the Rideau Canal—a UNESCO World Heritage Site – all in the same day! Around every corner on both the Ontario and Quebec sides of the Ottawa River, lively neighbourhoods beckon you with tasty craft beer, fresh local food and unique shopping experiences. Today, Canada’s capital is one of the hottest and most diverse tech hubs in North America. Come see why Ottawa’s slogan is “technically beautiful”!

Relocation:
The Initial Appointees Relocation Program provides newly appointed employees with the sum of up to five thousand dollars ($5, 000.00).

Are you ready to find a meaningful career supporting Canada’s emergency response? Apply now! The Public Health Agency of Canada is presently accepting applications for positions in the Biomedical field.

Positions to be filled: 4

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

A covering letter in 2,000 words (maximum) "Please provide a cover letter that explains how you meet the required (must-have) education and experience for the position(s) you are interested in. If you have other relevant experience/training, please include this as well."

The following will be applied / assessed at a later date (essential for the job)

English essential

Information on language requirements

Must have for Biomedical Technicians (EL-03) (essential qualifications):

Education:
• A minimum of a two-year diploma from an accredited post-secondary institution in Biomedical Equipment Technology, Biomedical Electronics Technology, or Biomedical Engineering Technology or a related discipline.

Experience:
• Practical experience within the biomedical field

The following items are nice to have for the Biomedical Technicians (EL-03) level (other qualifications):
• One (1) year of practical experience within the biomedical field; and
• Membership in the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT or other equivalent provincial or federal technology association);

Degree equivalency

If you wish to apply for the Biomedical Technologist (EL-04) positions, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following additional must have criteria (essential qualifications):

Education:
• A minimum of a three-year diploma or degree from an accredited post-secondary institution in Biomedical Equipment Technology, Biomedical Electronics Technology, or Biomedical Engineering Technology or a related discipline.

Experience:
• Three (3) years of practical experience within the biomedical field.

The following items are nice to have for the Biomedical Technologist (EL-04) level (other qualifications):
• Membership in the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT or other equivalent provincial technology associations; or
• Certification as a Biomedical Engineering Technologist through the AAMI Credentials Institute (ACI); or
• Membership in provincial or national clinical/biomedical engineering society (e.g., Clinical Engineering Society of Ontario (CESO), Canadian Medical and Biological Engineering Society (CMBES)).

The following may be applied / assessed at a later date (may be needed for the job)

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL POSITIONS
• Work activities are primarily performed in the workshop using sit and stand workstations with the occasional visit to the field;
• You may be exposure to disagreeable conditions, such as inclement weather, working in confined spaces and potential contact to hazardous voltages;
• You will be required to stand, bend, stoop and work in cramped and awkward positions where flexibility of movement is limited;
• You will be required to lift, carry and position up to twenty-seven (27) kilograms for short periods;
• This work requires frequent repetitive movements of arms and hands when using tools.

Other information

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the Canadians we serve. We promote employment equity and encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the designated groups when you apply.

Information on employment equity

We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process. If you need to be accommodated during any phase of the evaluation process, please use the Contact information below to request special accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Information on accommodation for persons with disabilities:
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-service-commission/jobs/services/gcjobs/information-candidates/accommodations.html

You are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of your choice (English or French). You are asked to indicate your preferred official language in your application.

Please consult our Initial Appointees Relocation Program:
https://www.canada.ca/fr/secretariat-conseil-tresor/services/deplacements-reinstallation/addendum-programme-reinstallation-nouveaux-employes-fonction-publique.html#num101

Preference

Preference will be given to veterans and to Canadian citizens, in that order, with the exception of a job located in Nunavut, where Nunavut Inuit will be appointed first.

Information on the preference to veterans

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.