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You are responsible for rendering Neurophysiology Laboratory services ordered by and in collaboration with the physician on all tours of duty with minimal or no direct supervision. An EEG/EMG Technician works under the general supervision of the medical director or designee to provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment of epilepsy and neuromuscular disorders. This may involve performing EEG and EMG/nerve conduction study procedures, patient care/education, and lab maintenance. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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). The following is the standard grandfathering policy for all Title 38 Hybrid qualification standards. Some of these provisions may not apply to this occupation. Please carefully review the qualification standard to determine the specific education and/or licensure/certification/ registration requirements that apply to this occupation. All persons employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: Such employees in an occupation that does not require a licensure/certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted, or demoted within the occupation. Such employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or demoted within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. Such employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure/certification/registration requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels. Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. If an employee who was retained in an occupation listed in 38 U.S.C. § 7401(3) under this provision leaves that occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. Grade Determinations: 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 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. MARCH 17, 2006 VA HANDBOOK 5005/15 PART II APPENDIX G27 II-G27-37 6. 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: Three years of experience in EEG and EMG. Experience in Sleep Studies. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/54 PART II APPENDIX G27The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08.Physical Requirements: Assists patients on and off the table and will be required to sit, stand, carry or lift in the performance of daily duties and responsibilities. Light lifting (under 15 lbs.); Light carrying (15-44 lbs.); reaching above shoulders; use of fingers; both hands required; both legs required; standing (4-6 hours); ability for simultaneously rapid mental and muscular coordination; both eyes required; ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish basic shades of color; hearing (aid permitted). ["The supervising physicians are highly specialized epileptologists and neuromuscular specialists. EEG services are provided in the outpatient EEG lab, and the inpatient units, as well as epilepsy monitoring unit. EMG/NCS are performed in the neurophysiology outpatient lab. EEG/EMG technologist shall have an background in neurophysiology recording technology with proficiency in patient care. Knowledge of anticonvulsant medications and their effects on the EEG as well as other frequently used pharmaceuticals. Responsible for reviewing patient history as it relates to epilepsy and neuromuscular disorders; responsible for explaining various procedures to patients. Independently perform EEG or EMG procedures on patients with possible epilepsy, neuromuscular disorders, or other medical conditions as well as continuous EEG monitoring procedures, when needed, on inpatients with possible intermittent epileptic seizures. You will perform various stimulus procedures on patients during studies hyperventilation and photic stimulation, unless contraindicated. Responsible for safe and proper operation of all equipment used in the Neurophysiology Laboratory. Keep inventory and initiate timely purchase requests to avoid disruption of schedule. Maintains BLS. Shall have Professional knowledge of medical technology principles, concepts, techniques, and methodology as related to neuromuscular neurophysiology and independently perform complex nerve conduction studies with a supervisor nearby, but not necessarily in the same room. Handling of materials which are toxic or flammable (used to prepare the skin for electrode placement or clean the skin) and of materials safety procedures for handling and storing these materials in the Neurophysiology Laboratory. Knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at carrying grade levels. Ability to provide, or provide for, staff development and training. Work Schedule: M- F 0800-1630; will require occasional over time as required.\nPosition Title/Functional Statement #:Medical Instrument Technician (EEG/EMG)/534-10807F\nFinancial Disclosure Report: N/A"]