The position is allied to the Neurology Service and functionally aligned to the Neurophysiology (EEG) Lab. The incumbent will serve as the Medical Instrument Technician (EEG Technologist) of the Neurophysiology Lab, and has direct accountability to the lab manager, designee, lead technician, Director of the Epilepsy Center of Excellence and Chief of Neurology Service.

Duties

Major Duties: Equipment: The technician will conduct routine maintenance and adjustment checks on the equipment. The technicians will recognize and troubleshoot equipment failures. They will communicate with EEG equipment manufacturers a supervisor if unable to fix equipment problems. The technician will interface with company representatives and will be familiar with new techniques. Cleans, adjusts, and performs routine maintenance and repair on electroencephalograph and video monitoring equipment to ensure proper functioning. Maintains equipment in good working condition by performing minor and emergency repairs and arranging for additional repairs or maintenance of all lab equipment. They will notify supervisor if unable to fix equipment problems Medical Terminology, pharmacology disorders and anatomy: The technician will understand more advance medical terminology, Neuroanatomy, Neurophysiology, neuroradiology and how it relates to the Neurodiagnostic testing being performed. The technician will have the ability to interpret testing data to provide information for medical staff during testing procedures. Has extensive knowledge of anticonvulsant medications and their effects on the EEG as well as other frequently used pharmaceuticals. The technician has knowledge of acute neurologic disorder and their effects on organs and methods of treatment. Testing: Must be able to perform procedures independently but works under the direction of the Director, Epilepsy Center of Excellence or his designee. The technician performs as an expert EEG technician. They maintain state of the art quality in the principles, practices and procedures associated with Electroencephalography. Using state of the art equipment the incumbent obtains EEGs, ambulatory EEGs and notify patients with a variety of serious medical and neurological illnesses. Identify correct patient by name, identification number, date of birth, ordering provider, and type of procedure to be performed and communicate the monitoring plan to the patient/caregivers/family in language consistent with their ability to understand. Utilizes the 10-20 and 10-10 method of electrode application. Verifies I-Med consent is completed for permission to perform audio and video recording during procedures. Performs routine and specialized activation procedures during the EEG's and is knowledgeable with the contraindications to performing the activations. Uses standard montages according to American Clinical neurophysiology Society Guidelines in Electroencephalography. All of the testing performed requires on line analysis by the technician to obtain the necessary data for correct diagnosis of the patient Annotates observed behavior or anomalies on recordings. The technician is able to utilize the sophisticated equipment to obtain continuous video-EEG monitoring in patients with undiagnosed spells. The technician's skill and accuracy in testing techniques has a significant effect on the accuracy and reliability of further treatment. Reviews ambulatory EEG recordings and highlights, clips sections of patient's seizures or abnormal brain functioning for review by a Neurologist. Marks highlighted sections noting time of day and patient status (awake, standing, sitting, sleeping, events, etc.). Explains procedure to patient to help eliminate fears/concerns and interviews patient to obtain required medical information to ensure safety during procedure. Sets up monitoring equipment for epilepsy patients or patients with other neurological disorders. Prepares and operates computerized video monitoring equipment for prolonged period of time to record patient's brain activity through the use of scalp electrodes . Reviews long-term video monitoring recordings and highlights, clips sections of patient's seizures or abnormal brain functioning for review by a Neurologist. Marks highlighted sections noting time of day and patient status (awake, standing, sitting, sleeping, events, etc.). Reviews planned intraoperative procedure and orders for monitoring to determine the structures at risks relative to patient history/pre-existing conditions and monitoring requested Monitors patient brain waves during carotid endarterectomies. Patient Safety: Observes electrical safety precautions in connecting patient to equipment. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Compressed/Flexible:Not authorized Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

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. d. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. e. 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. *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 Requirements as a GS-6 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: 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. Grade requirements as a GS-7 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: 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. Grade Requirements as a GS-8 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 pharmacology 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 Neuro diagnostic devices, parameters, and procedures to complex, unusual, and often critical situations. Reference: VA HANDBOOK 5005/15 PART II APPENDIX G27 March 17, 2006 This announcement is at the full performance GS-8. This is an Open and Continuous Announcement (OCA) cut off will be each 6 day of each month until July 8, 2024.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address Bruce W Carter Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 1201 Northwest 16th Street Miami, FL 33125 US
• Name: Joselyne Figueroa-Cruz
• Phone: 787-641-7582 X126204
• Email: [email protected]