Electroencephalograph (EEG) Technicians operate the Electroencephalograph and other devices such as evoked potential equipment to record the electrical activity of the brain. This position is located within the Epilepsy Center of Excellence/Neurology Center.

Duties

Major Duties: Work under the supervision of the Director, Epilepsy Center of Excellence or his designee. Plans and carries out procedures, handles problems and deviations in the work assignment in line with knowledge base, accepted practices, and outlined procedures. Tailors each study to particular patient and is required to make online decisions regarding appropriate testing and therapy. Obtains information from the patient and chart pertinent to the diagnosis and clinical testing and plans the appropriate study. The technologist is aware of current aspects of testing and treatment and may suggest and introduce new testing treatment techniques. Effectively communicates with employees at all grade levels. Professionally maintains good relations with patients, and referring services. Must understand needs and problems of patients from young adult through the elderly. Must comply with VA guidelines with respect to all matters of computer security, data integrity and privacy and compliance with the VA guidelines on records, computer and patient data security as mandated by VA guidelines. Interpret testing data to evaluate critical information for surgeons and other medical staff during testing procedures. Works closely with physicians from Neurology Service and the Epilepsy Center of Excellence. The incumbent is able to utilize sophisticated equipment to obtain continuous video EEG monitoring in patients with undiagnosed spells. Will interface with company representatives and 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. Work Schedule: 40 hours per week. Scheduled hours may vary and can sometimes include evenings and weekends. Telework: Telework may be authorized on an adhoc basis, according to the needs of the service Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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". 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. 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-6 Medical Instrument Technician (Electroencephalography) 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. Certification. No certification or registration is required; however, it is desirable that employees at this level have BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support) certification. 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. GS-7 Medical Instrument Technician (Electroencephalography) (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. 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. 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-8 Medical Instrument Technician (Electroencephalography) 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. 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. 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. Preferred Experience: None References: MARCH 17, 2006 VA HANDBOOK 5005/15 PART II APPENDIX G27 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS8. Selection can be made at the GS-6 to GS-8 level. Physical Requirements: VA Handbook 5019

Education

Education is not substituted at this grade level.

Contacts

• Address VA Maryland Health Care System 10 North Greene Street Baltimore, MD 21201 US
• Name: Chanel Smith
• Phone: 410-605-7000
• Email: [email protected]