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Veterans Health Administration is Hiring a Medical Instrument Technician (Eeg) Near Birmingham, AL

Qualifications:

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.
• 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.
• Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
• 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).

Grade Determinations:

GS-8
Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-07) 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.

GS-7
Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-06) 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:

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
1. 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.

GS-6
Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-05) 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:

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
1. 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.

Preferred Experience: 2 Years of experience as an EEG Tech including ICU EEG experience is preferred. Ability to conduct EEG studies independently. Experience using Natus Neuroworks/XLTEK platform.

References: VA Handbook 5005

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08.

Physical Requirements: Must be able to stand on feet for long periods. Must be physically dexterous for the application of electrodes. Must have sufficient physical strength to assist in patient position and the movement of portable equipment.

Responsibilities:

Provide instrument maintenance, calibration, and determine appropriate settings for individual case studies independent of physician supervision. Independently choose appropriate montages for patient recording along with making filter changes, wire changes, and electrode replacement necessary to achieve a technically satisfactory recording.

• Adheres to responsibilities regarding ethics, confidentiality, and HIPAA compliance.
• Maintains appropriate interpersonal skills with patients, physician staff, and other hospital/clinic staff.
• Explains the test procedure to the patient to obtain the patient's cooperation necessary for a complete examination. Checks the patient's electronic medical record for orders and special needs, with attention to patients with pacemakers, defibrillators, and neurotransmitters.
• Assists the EDX physician with the EDX studies as needed by preparing or manipulating the instrument and applying surface recording electrodes.
• Performs procedures on both common and uncommon nerves to aid the EDX physician in the best studies to expose abnormalities.
• Follows facility policies and procedures regarding critical test results.
• Troubleshoots machine problems and ensures testing of machine electrical leakage.
• May maintain laboratory supplies and machine maintenance.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Work Schedule: Intermittent (Alternate weekends) Hours worked will be very flexible but will include working every other weekend for at least a few hours on both Saturday and Sunday
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #:FS-521-298
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Job Summary