Career Center

Summary

This 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.

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"
• 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
• 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)
• 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the criteria discussed in the applicable headings - or that defined in the appendices - must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• 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 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: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Duties

• 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 Compressed/Flexible: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• 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) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• 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