Med Instrument Tech (EEG)

Veterans Health Administration • Asheville, NC

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The technician operates and monitors neurodiagnostic equipment in the Neurodiagnostic Center at the Asheville, NC VAMC, VISN 6. Duties include but not limited to: The technician independently performs routine and specialized EEG's (including awake and asleep recordings, portable recordings, and electrocerebral silence recordings), EEG's during PET, SPECT, and, WADA. They perform routine and specialized NCV's, routine and specialized Intraoperative monitoring (electrocorticography), Multiple Sleep Latency Testing (MSLT), routine and specialized Evoked Potential (EP) and routine and invasive Long Term Epilepsy Monitoring (LTM). Functions: Equipment: The technician will independently operate a variety of neurodiagnostic equipment to administer routine and specialized diagnostic or treatment procedures. The technician will conduct routine maintenance, and adjustment checks on the equipment. The technician will recognize and trouble shoot equipment failures. They will communicate with manufacturer technical support to fix equipment problems. They will communicate with Bio-medical engineering to fix equipment problems. They will notify supervisor if they are unable to fix equipment problems. Medical Terminology: The technician will understand more advanced medical terminology, neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and neuroradiology and how it relates to the neurodiagnostic testing being performed. The technician will have knowledge of acute neurologic disorders and their effects on organs and methods of treatment. The technician knows antiepileptic and other medication (neuropharmacology) effect on neurodiagnostic studies. The technician will have the ability to interpret testing data to provide information for medical or surgical staff during testing procedures. Testing: The EEG technician will utilize standard or alternate positions for patients with common physical disabilities for the procedure being performed. They will utilize two methods of patient identification. They will fully explain the testing procedure to the patient and family members and alleviate fears. The technician is able to deal with more complex or difficult patients. They will utilize the 10/20 method of electrode application during EEGs. The technician will follow established laboratory protocol in performing standard and specialized EEG, NCV, IOM, MSLT's, EP's, Polysomnograms, and LTMs. They will obtain written permission to perform audio and video during the procedures that require such. They will perform routine and specialized activation procedures during the EEG's and know the contraindications to performing the activations. Communications: The technician will interact with other healthcare professionals to discuss the indications, value, possible outcomes, and limitations of testing. The technician will communicate both orally and in writing with patients, visitors, non-healthcare and a variety of healthcare professionals. They will communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels. They will utilize The Veterans Health Information and Technology Architecture (VistA) and CPRS to access patient information, receive memoranda, and send and receive work related e-mail. Clerical functions: Schedules patients for procedures. Calls patients to fill gaps in the schedule due to late cancellations and failed appointments. Incumbent schedules outpatient clinic appointments using Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture (VistA) scheduling options. Use established business rules to schedule appointments for veterans. This includes clinic visits, consultations and entries into the Electronic Wait List (EWL). Complies with the mandatory training requirements for the outpatient scheduling process. Prioritizes patients to be scheduled. Send procedure specific instruction letters for scheduled appointments. Answers dept. phone, returns patient calls, and transfers calls as needed. Maintains a daily log of patients and procedures. Completes proper electronic and written information for each procedure performed. Utilizes VISTA, CPRS and Neurodiagnostic specific medical equipment to complete administrative duties with each procedure.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Must complete all required steps in the process, including application, questionnaire, and online assessment.
• Tentatively selected applicants for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Acceptable forms of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement.
• Must complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section.
• Must serve a 1 or 2-year trial period.
• 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 Requirement: United States Citizenship (Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy).
• May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).
• For the GS-9: In addition to the core competencies defined at the GS-8 full performance level, positions at this grade may be lead, supervisory, or non-supervisory with specialized advanced knowledge and assignments.
• Credential Required: Registration by the American Board of Registration of EEG, CNIM &EP Technologists (ABRET) or the American Association of Electrodiagnostic Technologists (AEET).
• See VA Handbook 5019 for Physical Requirements.
• 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.
• If using foreign education, must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with transcript.
• Commitment to improving the efficiency of the Federal government.
• Passion for the ideals of our American republic.
• Commitment to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Nice To Haves

• 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).

Responsibilities

• Operates and monitors neurodiagnostic equipment.
• Independently performs routine and specialized EEG's, NCV's, Intraoperative monitoring, MSLT, Evoked Potential (EP), and Long Term Epilepsy Monitoring (LTM).
• Conducts routine maintenance, and adjustment checks on equipment.
• Recognizes and troubleshoots equipment failures, communicating with manufacturer technical support and Bio-medical engineering.
• Understands advanced medical terminology, neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and neuroradiology.
• Knowledge of acute neurologic disorders and their effects on organs and methods of treatment.
• Understands neuropharmacology effects on neurodiagnostic studies.
• Interprets testing data to provide information for medical or surgical staff.
• Utilizes standard or alternate positions for patients with common physical disabilities.
• Utilizes two methods of patient identification.
• Explains testing procedures to patients and family members and alleviates fears.
• Deals with complex or difficult patients.
• Utilizes the 10/20 method of electrode application during EEGs.
• Follows established laboratory protocol in performing standard and specialized procedures.
• Obtains written permission for audio and video during procedures.
• Performs routine and specialized activation procedures during EEGs and knows contraindications.
• Interacts with other healthcare professionals to discuss testing indications, value, outcomes, and limitations.
• Communicates effectively orally and in writing with patients, visitors, and healthcare professionals.
• Utilizes VistA and CPRS to access patient information, receive memoranda, and send/receive work-related email.
• Schedules patients for procedures.
• Calls patients to fill gaps in the schedule.
• Schedules outpatient clinic appointments using VistA scheduling options.
• Uses established business rules to schedule appointments for veterans.
• Complies with mandatory training requirements for outpatient scheduling.
• Prioritizes patients to be scheduled.
• Sends procedure-specific instruction letters for scheduled appointments.
• Answers department phone, returns patient calls, and transfers calls.
• Maintains a daily log of patients and procedures.
• Completes proper electronic and written information for each procedure performed.
• Utilizes VISTA, CPRS, and Neurodiagnostic specific medical equipment to complete administrative duties.

Benefits

• A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.
• As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.
• Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed