Summary

EEG Technicians perform - under a physician's direction - diagnostic tests - both invasive and noninvasive - of the pulmonary system (lung) and the cardiovascular system (heart and circulation) and neurologic system. They operate - monitor - and collect data from instruments used in procedures such as cardiac catheterization - angiography - angioplasty - or Neurology procedures (such as continuous video EEG monitoring and EEG testing). Registration as an EEG technologist is preferred.

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
• 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"
• For all specialties identified in this standard - Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications are desirable
• Training which does not result in official certification does not meet this definition
• 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
• Grade Determinations: (1) GS-6 (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
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:(b) Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities1
• Knowledge of basic medical terminology - neuroanatomy - neurophysiology - and EEG interpretation.2
• Ability to position patients for the examination or treatment including using standard alternate positions for patient with common physical disabilities.3
• Ability to operate the appropriate EEG equipment to administer routine - standardized diagnostic or treatment procedures.4
• Knowledge of normal and abnormal results to recognize and report obvious abnormalities during procedures.5
• Knowledge of universal precautions and basic sterilization methods to clean instruments to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.6
• Knowledge of EEG and peripheral equipment to conduct routine maintenance and adjustment checks.(c) Certification
• No certification or registration is required
• however - it is desirable that employees at this level have BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support) certification.(d) Assignment
• Operates and monitors EEG equipment in the EEG Lab - intensive care units - operating room - and the patient's bedside
• Performs a full range of standard - routine EEG examinations including routine awake and sleep recordings - electrocerebral silence recordings - multiple sleep latency recordings - intraoperative monitoring - electrocorticography
• Performs nerve conduction studies using electromyography equipment
• Prepares recordings for interpretation and performs a preliminary review and interpretation of the recordings
• (2) GS-7 (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 positions to be filled
• This would be experience which provided the individual with the knowledge - skills - and abilities to independently conduct difficult but standardized electroencephalography examinations
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:(b) Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities1
• Ability to perform more complex electroencephalography studies such as evoked potential (visual - auditory - somatosensory) and transcranial Doppler studies.2
• Knowledge of medication effects related to electroencephalography studies and clinical situations requiring medication.3
• Knowledge of life threatening or medically emergent testing or patient situations.4
• Ability to recognize artifacts (patient or environmental) and document - eliminate - or take proper measures to monitor the artifact.(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
• At this level - the medical instrument technician (EEG) independently performs routine but complex procedures and has advanced knowledge in certain areas
• They are able to deal with difficult or more complex patients
• They are able to identify and correct most artifacts
• Procedures are fully explained to the patient and family members to set them at ease
• Interpretative skills are sufficient to allow identification of more serious conditions requiring rapid intervention
• (3) 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 Abilities1
• 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
• References: VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Appendix G27.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-06 to GS-08
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Lists the major duties and responsibilities of the position: EEG Technicians perform - under a physician's direction - diagnostic tests - both invasive and noninvasive - of the pulmonary system (lung) and the cardiovascular system (heart and circulation) and neurologic system
• They operate - monitor - and collect data from instruments used in procedures such as cardiac catheterization - angiography - angioplasty - or Neurology procedures (such as continuous video EEG monitoring and EEG testing)
• Registration as an EEG technologist is required
• They operate with 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) General Description of Assigned Duties The incumbent performs as an expert EEG technologist
• He/she maintains state of the art quality in the principles - practices and procedures associated with Electroencephalography
• Using state of the art equipment - the incumbent obtains EEGs and evoked potentials on patients with a variety of serious medical and neurological illnesses
• All of the testing performed requires on line analysis by the technologist to obtain the necessary data for correct diagnosis of the patient
• In all procedures the incumbent works closely with physicians from Neurology Service and the Epilepsy Center of Excellence
• The incumbent is able to utilize the sophisticated equipment to obtain continuous video-EEG monitoring in patients with undiagnosed spells
• The incumbent will interface with company representatives and will be familiar with new techniques
• The incumbent must be able to perform procedures independently but works under the direction of the Director - Epilepsy Center of Excellence or designee
• Functions or scope of assigned duties
• The work involves performance of a wide range of sophisticated diagnostic procedures and therapeutic techniques representing important components of the care of many patients
• Inpatients and outpatients with diverse disorders may require such testing and or treatments so this position has significant scope within our medical center
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• 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.