Medical Instrument Technician (Electroencephalography) at Minneapolis

JOB SUMMARY:

Vacancy Identification Number (VIN): 955534 

The Medical Instrument Technician (Electroencephalography) position is located in the Specialty Care Service Line, Neurology Service, at the Minneapolis VA Health Care System in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  You will be an integral member of a team devoted to providing the best possible care to our nations veterans and helping the Minneapolis VA Health Care System and the Veterans Integrated Service Network, VISN 23, meet its mission.

 

OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln’s promise – “To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan” – by serving and honoring the men and women who are America’s Veterans.

How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate care to Veterans?

 

NOTE:  The Professional Standards Board (a peer-review group) will review the selected candidate’s education and experience and recommend the step at which the candidate will be placed in that specific grade.  The salary is based on the grade and step approved for the selected candidate.

 

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply.  The health related positions in VA are covered by Title 38 and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

 

The Minneapolis VA Health Care System (MVAHCS) is a teaching hospital providing a full range of patient care services with state-of-the-art technology, as well as education and research. Comprehensive health care is provided through primary care, tertiary care and long-term care in areas of medicine, surgery, psychiatry, physical medicine and rehabilitation, neurology, oncology, dentistry, geriatrics and extended care.

 

As a VA professional, your opportunities are endless. With many openings in the multiple functions of VA, you will have a wide range of opportunities and leadership positions at your fingertips. Not only is it the largest, most technologically advanced integrated health care system in the Nation, but we also provide many other services to Veterans through the Benefits Administration and National Cemeteries. VA professionals feel good about their careers and their ability to balance work and home life. VA offers generous paid time off and a variety of predictable and flexible scheduling opportunities.  For more information on the Department of Veterans Affairs, go to http://www.vacareers.va.gov/.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

• U. S. Citizenship
• Must pass pre-employment examination
• English Language Proficiency required
• Background and-or Security Investigation required

DUTIES:Back to top

The Electroencephalograph (EEG) Technicians operate the EEG and other devices such as electromylograph (EMG) equipment and nerve conduction studies (NCS) to record the electrical activity of the brain, nerve and muscle.  The incumbent must be able to perform procedures independently but works under the direction of the Director, Epilepsy Center of Excellence or their designee.  The duties of the position include; but are not limited to, the following:

·  Obtain EEGs and NCSs on patients with a variety of serious medical and neurological illnesses

·  Perform on line analysis to obtain the necessary data for correct diagnosis of the patient

·  Utilize equipment to obtain continuous video-EEG monitoring in patients with undiagnosed symptoms

·  Explains procedures to patients to help eliminate fears/concerns

·  Interviews patient to obtain required medical information to ensure safety during the 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 patients brain activity through the use of scalp electrodes

·  Reviews long-term video monitoring and generates computer clips of patient seizures or abnormal brain functioning for review by a Neurologist

·  Marks computer printout noting time of day and patient status

·  Communicates changes in brain activity to the physician as needed to aid in determining seizures

·  Performs NCS studies involving setting up recording equipment, placing electrodes and adjusting stimulus strength

·  Provides technical guidance to lower level neurodiagnostic technicians by explaining complicated procedures or demonstrating the proper maintenance of equipment

·  Provide education to the Medical Students, Neurophysiology Residents or other staff members regarding neurodiagnostic procedures and techniques

 

Work Schedule: Monday-Wednesday, 7:00am to 3:30pm; rotating on-call duty on nights, holidays and weekends

 

Position Description Title/PD#: Medical Instrument Technician (EEG)/#000000

Relocation Expenses: Relocation expenses are not authorized for this position. 

 

Promotion Potential: This is above the full performance level of GS-08.  The Professional Standards Board (a peer-review group) will review the selected candidate’s education and experience and recommend the step at which the candidate will be placed in that specific grade.  The salary is based on the grade and step approved for the selected candidate.

 

Probationary Period: May be required to serve a one-year probation period.

 

Bargaining Unit Position: This position is covered by the American Federation of Government Employees.

 

Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Status: Non-Exempt

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:Back to top

BASICREQUIREMENTS

Citizenship:Must be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizensmay be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens inaccordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.)

 

Education: Thereare no specific educational requirements for this occupation. Education may besubstituted for experience only at the GS-4 and GS-5 levels.

 

Licensure or Certification: Licensure or Certification is not required for thisoccupation; however, it is strongly desirable at GS-6 or above as evidence ofpossession of the essential knowledge, skills, and abilities. Registration bythe American Board of Registration of EEG, CNIM &EP Technologists (ABRET)or the American Association of Electrodiagnostic Technologists (AEET) is highlydesirable. Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications are alsodesirable for employees at this level. Training which does not result inofficial certification does not meet this definition.

 

English Language Proficiency: Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in bothspoken and written English.

 

GRADE DETERMINATIONS

In addition to the basic requirements, the candidatemust meet the qualifications for the GS-09 grade level listed below:

 

For GS-09:

Experience. Applicantsmust possess at least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower gradelevel, which is directly related to the duties of the position to be filled,and must fully meet the KSAs at that level.

 

GS-8 Competencies. 1.Ability to interpret testing data to evaluate critical information for surgeonsand other medical staff during testing procedures; 2. Knowledge of anatomy andphysiology of the nervous system and the ability to understand the relationshipof EEG and evoked potential testing in detecting states of disease and health; 3.Knowledge of behavior assessment during seizure attacks in order to insureadequacy of recordings during seizure discharges; 4. Knowledge of a variety ofadvanced EEG equipment and peripheral equipment such as equipment for brainmapping, video EEG telemetry systems with seizure detection computers, andspike analysis software; 5. Knowledge of anticonvulsant medications and theireffects on the EEG as well as other frequently used pharmaceuticals; 6. Abilityto adapt neurodiagnostic devices, parameters, and procedures to complex, unusual,and often critical situations.

 

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, andAbilities:

In addition, the candidate must demonstratethe following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignmentspecific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*):

1. Knowledge of the more complex examinationand treatment procedures and techniques in order to provide training andsupervision in these procedures.

*2. Knowledge of Joint Commission and otherregulatory requirements.

3. Ability to communicate effectively andprofessionally with employees at varying grade levels.

 

INDESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKEASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

 

Reference : VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G27, MedicalInstrument Technician Qualification Standard, dated June 7, 2012.  Available online at http://www.va.gov/vapubs/viewPublication.asp?Pub_ID=645&FType=2or at the Human Resources Management Service.

PLEASE NOTE:  Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications (particularly positions with a positive education requirement.)  Therefore, applicants must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.  Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly.  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.

PhysicalRequirements:Eligible applicants must be physically and mentally able to perform efficientlythe essential functions of the position, with or without reasonableaccommodation, without hazard to themselves or others. Depending on theessential duties of a specific position, usable vision, color vision, hearing,or speech may be required. However, in most cases, a specific physicalcondition or impairment will not automatically disqualify an applicant forappointment. The loss or impairment of a specific function may be compensatedfor by the satisfactory use of a prosthesis or mechanical aid. The work of aMedical Instrument Technician (EEG) requires some physical exertion such aswalking, bending, positioning patients, stretching, reaching, pushing, andlifting moderately heavy objects (15 to 44 pounds).

 

VeteransPreference: Whenapplying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference on theOccupational Questionnaire in the section provided and provide a legible copyof your DD214(s) and/or documentation related to your active duty service whichshows dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), ordates of impending separation.

 

Additionally,disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widowsor mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Applicationfor 10 Point Veterans Preference" with required proof as stated on theform.  For more information, please review the information for disabledVeterans in the application checklist orvisit http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

Your application, résumé and/or supporting documentation will be verified.  Please follow all instructions carefully.  Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

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Country: USA, State: Minnesota, City: Minneapolis, Company: Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration.