Medical Instrument Technician (Electroencephalography)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Charleston (SC); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Federal benefits

Job summary

The Charleston VA Healthcare System seeks a highly motivated Medical Instrument Technician (EEG) to perform EEG and EMG procedures for epilepsy and neurological disorders. The role requires operating the Neurophysiology lab equipment, maintaining calibration, and collaborating with physicians to ensure accurate test results.

Work involves independent testing, potential 8-hour EEG studies, and staying current with neurophysiology advances.

Qualifications

• No specific educational requirements (education may be substituted for experience at GS-4/5)
• Desirable BCLS certification on higher levels
• Desirable ABRET or AAET registration for EEG specialists
• Strong knowledge of neurophysiology testing and instrumentation

Responsibilities

• Independently perform EEG or EMG procedures for epilepsy and neuromuscular disorders
• Independently perform continuous EEG monitoring when needed
• Operate and maintain Neurophysiology lab equipment and manage supplies
• Verify instrument calibration and seek engineering assistance when needed
• Provide instruction and assist in equipment planning and long-range needs

Skills

EEG procedures

Nerve conduction

Data interpretation

BCLS certification

Tools

EEG equipment

Video EEG

Evoked potentials

Job description

Summary

The Charleston VA Healthcare System is a seeking Highly Motivated Medical Instrument Technician (Electroencephalograph)! The incumbent provides Neurophysiology Laboratory services in collaboration with physicians and independently performs electroencephalographic (EEG) and electromyography (EMG) procedures for evaluation and treatment of epilepsy and neurological disorders

Qualifications

• Basic Requirements:
• a
• 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.) b
• 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
• c
• 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
• 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: Medical Instrument Technician (EEG) Technicians 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) certification
• 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-08
• The actual grade at which an applicant will be selected is GS-08
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Major duties include - but are not limited to: a
• Independently performs EEG or EMG procedures on individuals with possible epilepsy - neuromuscular disorders - or other medical conditions
• b
• Independently perform continuous EEG monitoring procedures - when needed - on inpatients with possible intermittent epileptic seizures
• c
• Independently perform various stimulus procedures on patients during EEG procedures including hyperventilation and photic stimulation - unless contraindicated
• d
• Responsible for the safe and proper operation of all equipment used in the Neurophysiology laboratory
• Keeps inventory of supplies and initiates purchase requests in a timely fashion to avoid disruption of scheduled studies
• e
• Skilled in utilizing computer databases and word processing and/or is willing to attend courses to obtain such skills
• f
• Verifies correct instrument calibration and operation using established procedures
• Identifies the cause of common problems and notifies engineering service when appropriate
• g
• Obtains technical or factory assistance in order to fully utilize the equipment to its full potential
• May perform one-hour EEG recording procedures and 6-hour video EEG recording procedures and is able to recognize sleep onset during nap these procedures
• h
• Stays abreast of technological developments related - but not limited to - neurophysiology recording technology
• i
• Possesses an abiding interest in neurophysiology and is willing to attend courses in EEG or EMG technology to adapt to future technologic changes and continue educational development
• j
• Possesses an abiding interest in neurophysiology and is willing to attend courses in EEG or EMG technology to adapt to future technologic changes and continue educational development
• Participate in the development of new procedures and assists and reviews existing procedures - updating them in accordance with new equipment and clinical practice
• k
• Assists in the long-range planning for equipment needs for the Neurophysiology Laboratory
• Provides instruction to other Neurophysiology Laboratory Staff
• l
• Possesses advanced knowledge of uncommon epilepsy types and neuromuscular conditions and is familiar with the treatment of those disorders
• m
• Assesses Quality of Care according to American Clinical Neurophysiology Society and the American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine guidelines
• n
• Interacts with staff physicians regarding the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy and neuromuscular disorders
• o
• Shall have Professional knowledge of medical technology principles - concepts - techniques - and methodology as related to clinical neurophysiology and independently perform complex EEG studies over an extended period of time (8 hours) during the day without a supervisor present continuously
• p
• Shall have Professional knowledge of medical technology principles - concepts - techniques - and methodology as related to neuromuscular neurophysiology and independently perform complex nerve conduction studies with a supervisor nearby - but not necessarily in the same room
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm (subject to change - based on needs of agency) Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): 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
• Functional Statement #: FS-62227F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized