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:
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.
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
Citizenship. Citizenship of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.)
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. 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.
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.
Physical Requirements: This position requires regular and recurring physical exertion. It may involve walking, frequent bending, reaching, and stretching to set up and take apart equipment; lifting and positioning patients; and carrying, pushing, or pulling, moderately heavy objects. Duties may require above average dexterity.
GRADE REQUIREMENTS
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).
Foreign Education: To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. programs. Specialized developmental experience obtained under supervision of appropriately certified individuals may be credited at higher levels and is addressed in individual appendices
Creditable Experience - Knowledge of Current Medical Instrument Technician Practices. To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics associated with current Medical Instrument Technician practice appropriate to the identified specialty area. Specialized developmental experience obtained under 6 supervision of appropriately certified individuals may be credited at higher levels and is addressed in individual appendices.
Quality of Experience. Experience is only creditable if it is equivalent to at least the next lower grade level and is directly related to the position/specialty to be filled. (4) Part-time Experience. Part time experience is credited according to its relationship to a full time work week. For example, an individual employed 20 hours per week, or on a ½ time basis would receive one work week credit for each two weeks of service.
Grade Determinations. In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the criteria discussed in the applicable headings, or that defined in the appendices, must be met when determining the grade of candidates. c. Education/Training. To be creditable education must have been gained in an accredited Community College, College, or University.
GS-10. In addition to the core competencies defined at the GS-9 level,
(Please see GS-9 qualifications below) positions at this grade may be supervisory or non-supervisory with specialized advanced knowledge and assignments.
Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level, which is directly related to the duties of the position to be filled, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level. This would be experience which demonstrates possession of the knowledge required to provide the most complex EEG Technician services and/or supervisory knowledge, skills, and abilities. Participation in recognized professional organizations as a Board examiner, in the development of curricula for training, or testing for the Board is evidence of competence. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*):
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. KSAs 1, 2, and 3 are appropriate for all positions at this level. KSAs 4 and 5 are to be used in accordance with their appropriateness for the specific assignment.
1. Advanced knowledge of the most complex and non-standard treatment and examination procedures and techniques.
*2. Ability to plan and assist in the establishment of a completely integrated treatment and examination program. *
3. Ability to evaluate new products and equipment and make recommendations concerning developments which would improve operations.
- 4. Ability to manage the fiscal matters of the functions supervised (which would include fund controls, contracts, and equipment expenditures), forecast resource and equipment needs, and administer the allocated budget.
- 5. Knowledge of and ability to provide the full range of supervisory duties which would include responsibility for assignment of work to be performed; performance evaluation; selection of staff; and recommendation of awards, advancements, and, when appropriate, disciplinary actions.
Certification. Registration by the American Board of Registration of EEG, CNIM &EP Technologists (ABRET) or the American Association of Electrodiagnostic Technologists (AEET) is highly desirable. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are also desirable for employees at this level.
Assignments. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. 1. Special Assignments. There may be a rare non-supervisory position supporting this grade level. Such a position would typically include carrying out laboratory procedures independently in complex environments such as the operating room, monitoring suites, and clinical research laboratories as well as teaching the correct methodology of neurodiagnostic procedures, theory of operations, and theory of interpretation of results to trainees.
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.
Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level, which is directly related to the duties of the position to be filled, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*):
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. KSAs 1, 2, and 3 are appropriate for all positions at this level. KSAs 4 and 5 are to be used in accordance with their appropriateness for the specific assignment.
1. Knowledge of the more complex examination and treatment procedures and techniques in order to provide training and supervision in these procedures.
- 2. Knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements.
3. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels.
*4. Ability to manage and supervise employees. *5. Ability to provide, or provide for, staff development and training.
DEVIATIONS
The appointing official may, under unusual circumstances, approve reasonable deviations to the grade determination requirements for medical instrument technicians in VHA whose composite record of accomplishments, performance, and qualifications, as well as current assignments, warrant such action based on demonstrated competence to meet the requirements of the proposed grade.
The placement of individuals in grade levels not described in this standard must be approved by the Under Secretary for Health, or designee, in VHA Central Office.
Preferred Experience: Experience: Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in performing a broad range of neurodiagnostic tests, including routine and specialized EEG procedures in both inpatient and surgical settings. Certification: Registered EEG Technologist (R.EEG T.) credential required; certification from ABRET (American Board of Registration of Electroencephalographic and Evoked Potential Technologists) preferred. Clinical Scope: Demonstrated expertise in surgical neurophysiological monitoring (in the operating room), long-term monitoring, epilepsy surgery, and advanced neurodiagnostic techniques. Technical Proficiency: Proficient in using state-of-the-art EEG equipment, troubleshooting technical problems, and ensuring quality and accuracy in data collection, analysis, and reporting. Patient Care: Experience working with adult and geriatric patient populations, including those with complex neurological conditions; ability to adapt to high-stress, acute inpatient environments. Compliance: Extensive knowledge of JCAHO, HIPAA, and VA regulations pertaining to the handling and storage of patient data and sensitive information. Administrative: Experience with electronic health records (EHR), scheduling systems, documentation, and participation in regulatory surveys/inspections. Training/Mentoring: Experience providing training and mentorship to junior and/or new staff in EEG procedures and safety protocols. Veterans Affairs (VA) Experience: Prior VA or DoD healthcare experience is highly desirable but not required.
Reference: VA Handbook 5005/54 PART
II Appendix G27 For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-10.
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/.
