This Medical Instrument Technician - Electroencephalography position is located within Medical Service at the Dayton VA Medical Center. The primary responsibility of this position is to operate the electroencephalograph and other devises such as evoked potential equipment to record the electrical activity of the brain. Performs other related duties as assigned by the immediate Supervisor and/or the Chief Medical Service.
Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: Citizenship: Citizenship of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.) Education. There are no specific educational requirements for this occupation. Education may be substituted for experience only at the GS-4 and GS-5 levels. See the grade requirements part of this standard for information regarding educational substitutions. Licensure or Certification is not required for this occupation; however, it is strongly desirable at GS-6 or above as evidence of possession of the essential knowledge, skills, and abilities. For certain functional areas at the higher levels or supervisory assignments, specific certifications appropriate to the specialty are indicated in this standard under "Titles and Certification/Registrations". Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications are desirable. 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). All persons employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: Such employees in an occupation that does not require a licensure/certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted, or demoted within the occupation. Such employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or demoted within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. Such employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure/certification/registration requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels. Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. If an employee who was retained in an occupation listed in 38 U.S.C. § 7401(3) under this provision leaves that occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. Electroencephalograph (EEG) Technicians operate the electroencephalograph and other devices such as evoked potential equipment to record the electrical activity of the brain. Registration is offered by the American Board of Registration of EEG, CNIM & EP Technologists (ABRET) or the American Association of Electrodiagnostic Techs (AAET). (See Appendix F) Grade Determinations: GS-8 (a) Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the positions to be filled. This would be experience which provided knowledge of the more complex procedures, the pharma- cology related to this occupation, and knowledge of related acute disorders and diseases and their effects on organs and methods of treatment. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 1. Ability to interpret testing data to evaluate critical information for surgeons and other medical staff during testing procedures. 2. Knowledge of anatomy and physiology of the nervous system and the ability to understand the relationship of EEG and evoked potential testing in detecting states of disease and health. 3. Knowledge of behavior assessment during seizure attacks in order to insure adequacy of recordings during seizure discharges. 4. Knowledge of a variety of advanced EEG equipment and peripheral equipment such as equipment for brain mapping, video EEG telemetry systems with seizure detection computers, and spike analysis software. 5. Knowledge of anticonvulsant medications and their effects on the EEG as well as other frequently used pharmaceuticals. 6. Ability to adapt neurodiagnostic devices, parameters, and procedures to complex, unusual, and often critical situations. (c) Certification. No certification or registration is required; however, it is desirable that employees at this level have BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support) and ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certifications.. (d) Assignment. This represents the full performance level. Medical instrument technicians (EEG) at this level are expected to provide independent performance of a full range of procedures. The technician consistently delivers high quality studies for the most complex and non-routine procedures in difficult or demanding environments such as research, intraoperative monitoring, or intensive care monitoring. Procedures are tailored to clinical questions to be answered and may require additional monitors, electrodes, or other devices as clinically indicated. The technician interprets study results and brings to the attention of the physician or supervisor more subtle abnormalities that may require intervention. The technician will highlight portions of recordings of clinical importance for review by the clinical neurophysiologist and will accurately describe the concurrent behavior of the patient. Positive interaction with other health care staff to inform them of the indications for testing; the value, possible outcomes, and limitations of testing; and the policies of the laboratory are expected. 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-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-8 to GS-8. Physical Requirements: Some of the work involves regular and recurring physical exertion in standing, bending, kneeling, reaching, gripping, and walking. Moderate to heavy lifting is required to assist patients and operate equipment. Extended periods of sitting may be required when attending meetings or completion of administrative tasks. Work may require physical stamina, normal use of arms and legs, and good visual and auditory acuity. Normal safety precautions and practices are required for working in a healthcare environment. Position requires emotional stability to deal effectively with multitasking and high-volume patient flow and competing demands. Professional appearances per medical center dress code, attitude and demeanor are required.
Major duties include, but are not limited to the following: Electroencephalograph (EEG): Operate and monitor EEG equipment to perform specialized examinations and studies involving neurological, epilepsy and seizure testing, monitoring of neuro-electrical activity on outpatients and inpatients to include acutely ill as well as ambulatory patients. Individually monitor tracing to identify abnormalities and suspicious activity that requires medical intervention; recognize normal vs abnormalities, when to repeat procedures, when to cease test procedures and when to receive immediate physician attention. Evaluate test results to determine machine adjustments and use alternative techniques and procedures when established procedures do not accomplish acceptable results and adapting equipment and accessories for best results. Responsible for the collection of information pertinent to the interpretation of the tests. Obtains standard as well as special procedure EEG recordings. Monitors additional physiological phenomena by means of appropriate methods. Ensures equipment is sanitized, detects instrument malfunctions, and makes minor maintenance adjustments or reports need for major repairs immediately. File test recordings appropriately within established guidelines. Electromyography: Incumbent will greet and guide patients from the waiting room to the EMG procedure room. Assist patient in getting on/off the examination table and with anything needed during the testing procedure. Prepare the EMG station with the appropriate needles, electrodes and sanitation necessary to perform procedures. Ensure all equipment is cleaned and sanitized according to established guidance. Ensures all necessary supplies such as needles, electrodes, alcohol wipes, table linen, copy paper, gowns, etc., are well stocked and reorder as appropriate. Cleans and disinfects equipment, room, examination table, etc., between patients. Education: Incumbent will be responsible for educating patients on the requirements necessary for successful completion of EEG/EMG studies to optimize recordings. Work Schedule: Part-time (20 hours per week) Monday-Friday / negotiable Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 915589-A Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized