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Summary VA Portland Health Care System is a Complexity Level 1a Facility and provides extensive primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary care in outpatient, inpatient, residential, and community settings. VAPORHCS is a multi-site medical system that includes a major medical facility in Portland, Oregon, outpatient and residential facilities in Vancouver, Washington, and 10 Community Based Outpatient Clinics. Responsibilities The duties of this position include but are not limited to the following: Electroencephalograph (EEG) Technicians operate the electroencephalograph and other devices such as evoked potential equipment to record the electrical activity of the brain. Registration is offered by the American Board of Registration of EEG, CNIM & EP Technologists (ABRET) or the American Association of Electrodiagnostic Techs (AAET). The incumbent will be located at the Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System (VAPORHCS).The incumbent reports to the Chief of Respiratory Care Services along with Clinical Director of Division of Hospital & Specialty Medicine (DHSM). The Chief of Neurology reports to the Clinical Director of the Division of Hospital & Specialty Medicine who reports to the Chief of Staff. 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. The EEG MIT operates and monitors neurodiagnostic equipment for the Neurology Department at the Portland VA Health Care System (VISN 20) within DHSM (Division of Hospital and Specialty Medicine). The incumbent will work directly with the ECoE Director, Neurology Service Chief, staff physicians, residents and fellows to assist in the provision of a comprehensive epilepsy program while practicing JCAHO standards. Documenting a comprehensive patient history including neurological symptoms and medications. Perform routine & non-standard EEG procedures (EEG). These include: Awake, Sleep, Portable, ECS, Ambulatory & ICU EEGs. Capable of determining and administering first aid or emergency services during any EEG related procedures. Perform routine and invasive long-term monitoring (L TM) using multiple electrode application techniques such as 10-20 & 10-10 measuring system with an impedance of <5kohms Determines the need for further activated tests such as photo stimulation, hypoventilation &sleep deprivation for the purposes of detecting epilepsy abnormalities, pinpointing focal irregularities or clearer diagnostic interpretation by medical personnel. Follows established laboratory and/or hospital guidelines for timely completion of administrative duties and patient documentation. Knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements. Conducts calibration, routine maintenance/cleaning and adjustment inspections on the equipment. Recognizes and trouble shoot equipment failures. Work Schedule: Eight 9 hour shifts M-F 0700-1630 & one 8 hour shift 0700-1530 OR eight 9 hour shifts M-F 0730-1700 & one 8 hour shift 0730-1600 per pay period. On call hours are Monday - Friday 0000-0700 and then 1730-0000 based on rotation, Saturdays and Sundays On call hours are midnight-midnight, based on rotation. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): 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 dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. 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 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. 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). Grade Determinations: Medical Instrument Technician (Electroencephalography) GS-6 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. (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 1. Knowledge of basic medical terminology, neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and EEG interpretation. 2. Ability to position patients for the examination or treatment including using standard alternate positions for patient with common physical disabilities. 3. Ability to operate the appropriate EEG equipment to administer routine, standardized diagnostic or treatment procedures. 4. Knowledge of normal and abnormal results to recognize and report obvious abnormalities during procedures. 5. Knowledge of universal precautions and basic sterilization methods to clean instruments to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. 6. Knowledge of EEG and peripheral equipment to conduct routine maintenance and adjustment checks. (c) Certification. No certification or registration is required; however, it is desirable that employees at this level have BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support) certification. (d) Assignment. Operates and monitors EEG equipment in the EEG Lab, intensive care units, operating room, and the patient's bedside. Performs a full range of standard, routine EEG examinations including routine awake and sleep recordings, electrocerebral silence recordings, multiple sleep latency recordings, intraoperative monitoring, electrocorticography. Performs nerve conduction studies using electromyography equipment. Prepares recordings for interpretation and performs a preliminary review and interpretation of the recordings. GS-7 (a) 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. (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 1. Ability to perform more complex electroencephalography studies such as evoked potential (visual, auditory, somatosensory) and transcranial Doppler studies. 2. Knowledge of medication effects related to electroencephalography studies and clinical situations requiring medication. 3. Knowledge of life threatening or medically emergent testing or patient situations. 4. Ability to recognize artifacts (patient or environmental) and document, eliminate, or take proper measures to monitor the artifact. (c) 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. (d) Assignment. At this level, the medical instrument technician (EEG) independently performs routine but complex procedures and has advanced knowledge in certain areas. They are able to deal with difficult or more complex patients. They are able to identify and correct most artifacts. Procedures are fully explained to the patient and family members to set them at ease. Interpretative skills are sufficient to allow identification of more serious conditions requiring rapid intervention. GS-8 (a) 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. (b) 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. 6. Ability to adapt neurodiagnostic devices, parameters, and procedures to complex, unusual, and often critical situations. (c) 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. (d) 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/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-6 to GS-8 Physical Requirements: Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. 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 PREFERRED EXPERIENCE: a. Preferred one year of experience i. Experience working in an inpatient environment including ICU and Emergency Room settings ii. Experience working in an outpatient setting b. Preferred M in neurodiagnostic technology or associated field. c. Preferred that incumbent obtain their R.EEGT. (Registered EEG Technologist) credentials within 5 years of the start date. d. Strong bedside manner e. Strong communication skills and ability to facilitate plan of care with stakeholders (i.e. MD, RN, eel) f. Has the ability to work independently g. Possesses knowledge of Joint commission standards Receiving Service Credit or 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.