The position is in Medical Specialty Services at the El Paso VA Healthcare System, El Paso, TX. The Medical Instrument Technician (MIT) operates and monitors electroencephalograph (EEG) equipment. MIT is assigned to the Medical Specialty Service and is clinically responsible to the Chief of Medical Specialties and works under the direct supervision of the Neurologists in the Neurology outpatient clinic.

Duties

Duties include, but are not limited to: Maintaining state-of-the-art quality in the principles, practices and procedures associated with electroencephalography Independently obtaining EEGs on patients with a variety of serious medical and neurological illnesses Studies are performed in various areas including the EEG lab, intensive care unit and at the patient's bedside Responsible for tracings taken on patients, determining the placement of the desired number of electrodes and the pattern most favorable for the isolation and elimination of artifacts Sleep deprivation studies are also performed at the physician's request During routine testing, incumbent administers any first aid or emergency treatment if required Preparing the completed tracing, carefully making notations of any seizures, convulsions, hyperventilation, wake-sleep periods or other occurrences during testing Upon receipt of the completed report, forwards the original to the requesting physician Work Schedule: Fulltime, Monday thru Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Bargaining Unit position

Requirements

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. Education may be substituted for experience only at the GS-4 and GS-5 levels. 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 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. 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. 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: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 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. GS-07 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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 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. GS-08 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: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 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. Preferred Experience: Knowledge of medical terminology Knowledge of computerized patient record system Willingness to train and quick to learn Ability to position patients for exam Communication skills Knowledge in taking vital signs including pulse oximetry 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 may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-06 to GS-08. Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work. Work may also require walking/standing, in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site. Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds.

Contacts

• Address El Paso VA Clinic 5001 North Piedras Street El Paso, TX 79930 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]