Summary The individual who holds this Medical Instrument Technician (MIT) position shall be employed within the Neurology Service, Lexington VA Health Care System (HCS), in Lexington, Kentucky. A Medical Instrument Technician - Electroencephalography (EEG) at this level shall operate and monitor equipment manufactured for the evaluation of patients with epilepsy and disorders of the peripheral nervous system (PNS.) Responsibilities The work of the MIT shall involve performance of a wide range of sophisticated diagnostic procedures and therapeutic techniques used in the characterization of patients with neurological disorders. Due to the number of diagnostic procedures performed by the MIT, this position has significant importance within Lexington VA HCS. The MIT should have knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the central nervous system and the PNS. The incumbent should be able to understand the role of EEG/NCV testing in evaluating and managing patients with neurological disorders. Duties include, but are not limited to: Monitor electroencephalograms to identify seizure like events in patients with seizures/ epilepsy or seizure like episodes. Responsible for operation and maintenance of a mobile Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU), on behalf of the Neurology Service at Lexington HCS. Apply contact leads to the scalp of the patient by the standard International 10-20 pattern. Confirm that brain electrical activity can be recorded without error, and will begin and terminate the recording. Troubleshoot basic operation of the EEG hardware. Responsible for clipping studies and archiving the recorded study for review and interpretation by a Staff Neurologist. Oversee routine maintenance of the device, position it within an appropriate recording environment, place contact electrodes upon the scalp of the patient for overnight recording, initiate and complete prolonged electroencephalography with/without supplementary video recording, remove the electrodes, archive the recorded study, and return the device to its home location. Edit ("clip and prune") the recording for later viewing and interpretation. Alert supervisory physicians when he/she observes a seizure or witnesses a patient experiencing an unforeseen medical crisis during an ongoing electroencephalographic recording. View the electroencephalographic tracings in real time to survey device settings and to correct recording errors. Capable of making adaptive settings in the provided equipment to yield an EEG record of the highest technical quality. Maintain the integrity of EEG lead contact and must readjust or replace the leads when necessary, whether applied during routine electroencephalographic recording or for a patient being monitored with the mobile EMU. The MIT should have knowledge of a variety of advanced EEG equipment and peripheral devices, such as equipment needed for mapping of brain electrical function. The MIT should be familiar with commonly prescribed anti-seizure medications and should recognize their effects on EEG recordings. Perform basic NCV under the direction of designated Neurology Service providers. Verbally explain NCV procedures to patients who have presented for neuro-diagnostic examinations. Distinguish between normal and abnormal results; describe all abnormal clinical manifestations observed during NCV measurement; and recognize and eliminate physiological and non-physiological artifacts. Participate in scheduling patients for outpatient and inpatient procedures. Review requests for EEG recordings from clinicians outside of the Neurology Service to determine appropriateness of requested procedures. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am-4:30 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:30549F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. 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 form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. 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. English Language Proficiency - Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a Grade Determinations: MIT (EEG) GS-8Experience - 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. 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. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. 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. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
