Summary

The Medical Instrument Technician (Electroencephalography) position is located within Medical Service at the Dayton VA Medical Center - Dayton - Ohio and works independently under the Chief of Neurology or designee. 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 assigned by immediate Supervisor or Chief of Medical Service.

Qualifications

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:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• 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
• 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"
• 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)
• English Language Proficiency
• Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2 - section D - paragraph 5a - this part
• 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)
• Grade Determinations: GS-8 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: 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
• 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
• 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 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.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The incumbent will perform the following duties: 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 the 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 needed for major repairs immediately
• Files test recordings appropriately within established guidelines
• Work Schedule: Full-time Tour of Duty: Monday - Friday - 8:00am to 4:30pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized 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
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• 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 #: 91559-A Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized