The technician operates and monitors neurodiagnostic equipment in the Neurodiagnostic Laboratory at the Hampton VAMC, Hampton, Virginia. The technician independently performs routine, specialized and non-standard EEG's (including recordings awake and asleep, bedside recordings, and electrocerebral silence recordings). The technician performs a full range of standard, but complex, Evoked Potentials (EP).

Duties

Administers EEG diagnostics to patients and is responsible for proper set up of the equipment, test administration and patient care during the testing procedure. Performs a full range of EEG examinations including complex/advanced awake and sleep recordings; nerve conduction studies using electromyogphy equipment. Performs recordings for interpretation and performs a preliminary review and interpretation of the recordings. Assists physicians performing nerve conduction studies, including patient preparation, and inputting of results. Complies with all safety and emergency procedures in the administration of EEG diagnostics. Insures that machines used in the testing procedures (both EEG and EMG) are maintained and working appropriately. Schedules patients utilizing the scheduling software package for patients requiring EEG's. Monitors patients during EEG diagnostics and assists physicians in the monitoring of patients having EMG diagnostics. Documents patient results in EEG and EMG software packages and insures that results are also recorded into CPRS. Assists patients in positioning for tests. Assists Nurses and Physicians in other clinical duties as assigned. Meets the needs of customers while supporting VA missions. Work Schedule: Full Time, Monday- Friday, 8:00AM- 4:30 PM Compressed/Flexible:Not Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized 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. Certification/ Registrations: Not required, highly desirable. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Registration offered by the American Board of Registration of EEG, CNIM & EP Technologists (ABRET) or the American Association of Electrodiagnostic Techs (AAET) The preferred candidate is one with BCLS and or ACLS as well as Registration. Grade Determinations: GS-06 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: Knowledge of basic medical terminology, neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and EEG interpretation. Ability to position patients for the examination or treatment including using standard alternate positions for patient with common physical disabilities. Ability to operate the appropriate EEG equipment to administer routine, standardized diagnostic or treatment procedures. Knowledge of normal and abnormal results to recognize and report obvious abnormalities during procedures. Knowledge of universal precautions and basic sterilization methods to clean instruments to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Knowledge of EEG and peripheral equipment to conduct routine maintenance and adjustment checks. Certification. No certification or registration is required; however, it is desirable that employees at this level have BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support) certification. 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. GS-07 Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-6) which demonstrates the KSAs and other characteristics as an EEG Tech. This would be experience which provided you with the KSAs to independently conduct difficult but standardized electroencephalography examinations. In addition, must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to perform more complex electroencephalography studies such as evoked potential (visual, auditory, somatosensory) and transcranial Doppler studies. Knowledge of medication effects related to electroencephalography studies and clinical situations requiring medication. Knowledge of life threatening or medically emergent testing or patient situations. Ability to recognize artifacts (patient or environmental) and document, eliminate, or take proper measures to monitor the artifact. 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. 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. GS-08 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 pharmacology related to this occupation, and knowledge of related acute disorders and diseases and their effects on organs and methods of treatment. In addition, must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to interpret testing data to evaluate critical information for surgeons and other medical staff during testing procedures. 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. Knowledge of behavior assessment during seizure attacks in order to insure adequacy of recordings during seizure discharges. 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. Knowledge of anticonvulsant medications and their effects on the EEG as well as other frequently used pharmaceuticals. Ability to adapt Neurodiagnostic devices, parameters, and procedures to complex, unusual, and often critical situations. 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. 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. Preferred Experience: Licensed EEG Tech References: VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G27 & F. The full performance level of this vacancy is 8. Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion. It may involve frequent bending, reaching, and stretching to set up and disassemble equipment. Lifting and positioning patients, carrying, pushing or pulling moderately heavy objects is also required.

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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address Hampton VA Medical Center 100 Emancipation Drive Hampton, VA 23667 US
• Name: Yasmin Glover
• Email: [email protected]