Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System (GCVHCS) in Biloxi, Mississippi, is a 1c facility comprised of a medical facility, community living center, blind rehabilitation center, primary care, specialty care, and community-based outpatient clinics. The Medical Instrument Technician (MIT) (Electroencephalography) (EEG) is a member of the Respiratory Care Department located within Medicine Service.
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. 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. 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). 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: GS-04 & GS-05 Experience: 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 position to be filled. GS-06 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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. 1. Skill in setting up, operating, and performing calibrations as required on a variety of dialysis equipment. 2. Skill in performing and interpreting test results (dialysate chemistries, water treatment testing for contaminates, etc.) including the ability to analyze deviations from the expected norm and responding appropriately. 3. Knowledge of American Association of Medical Instrumentation (AMMI) standards and unit policies as they relate to water treatment. 4. Knowledge of physiological and psychological changes and conditions related to end stage renal disease. 5. Ability to calculate dialysis baths according to the physician's orders per patient by mixing critical concentrates, i.e., calcium, potassium, and bicarbonate. 6. Knowledge of Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS). GS-07 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 the equipment, standard procedures, and typical machine problems and/or patient reactions to treatment. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 1. Ability to assist the physician in more complex procedures such as central venous catheter insertion. 2. Ability to assist in training patients in home/self-care by teaching components of machine operation including water treatment and monitoring patients for compliance. 3. Ability to act as a mentor or preceptor to lower graded technicians. 4. Ability to analyze deviations from the expected, determine whether the deviations are machine or patient related, and respond according to the findings. GS 08 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. Knowledge of the hemodialysis process and equipment needed for home/self care including knowledge of common machine problems and repairs to such equipment. 2. Knowledge of the equipment and procedures for peritoneal dialysis. 3. Ability to assist the physician with percutaneous renal biopsies and peritoneal catheter insertion. 4. Ability to provide instruction to dialysis patients in home/self care and in the maintenance of the equipment. 5. Ability to provide instruction for physicians, nurses, and other personnel in dialysis procedures, equipment operation and maintenance, etc. Preferred Experience: Minimum two years' experience related to neurodiagnostic testing. Type of Certification: No certification is required; however, it is desirable that employees at this level have BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support) and ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certifications.. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-04 to GS-08. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08. Physical Requirements: May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment. Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.
Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf Duties included but are not limited to: Knowledge of the more complex procedures, pharmacology as it relates to neurodiagnostic testing, and related acute disorders and diseases and their effects on testing and treatment. Knowledge of anatomy and physiology of the nervous system. Possess the ability to communicate orally and in writing at varying levels, both internal and external to the organization. Skill in communicating data, policies, and regulations. Neurodiagnostic Testing Independently performs both fundamental and the more complex diagnostic procedures for adult and geriatric patients. Collaborates with physicians and other members of the health care team; communicates changes in the patient status and applies clinical expertise in such a manner as to recommend changes to patient testing where indicated. Assembles, checks, troubleshoots, and perform quality control tests on neurodiagnostic equipment. Assist physicians with clinical research projects pertaining to clinical neurophysiology. Electroencephalography (EEG) Performs Standard EEGs and complex recordings, including activation procedures such as hyperventilation and photic stimulation. Knowledge of behavioral assessment during seizure attacks to ensure adequacy of recording during seizure activity. Ability to identify emergent abnormalities during EEG recordings. Utilize seizure and post-seizure protocols including observation, patient safety, description identification, and appropriate post-dictal testing. Evoked Potential Testing (EP) Performs diagnostic visual evoked potentials, brain stem auditory evoked potentials, and somatosensory evoked potentials. Places electrodes appropriately, modifies placement as needed , and ensures impedance is low and calibrations are successful. Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS) Knowledge of placement of electrodes and stimulus probe to ensure proper recording when stimulating nerves. Recognizes, identifies, and resolves artifacts prior to testing. Evaluates muscle tone, strength, and agility for the physician to assist with the interpretation of nerve conduction studies. Electromyography (EMG) Assist the physician during EMG clinics. Enters biographic information into the EMG computer, including patient's name, history, number, age, height, weight, handedness, occupation, medications, and presenting symptoms. Prepares the patient for the needle EMG examination to be performed by the physician. Carpal Tunnel Screening (CTS) (Preferred, but not required) Reviews requests for quantitative sensory testing (QST) and makes scheduling recommendations. Enters biographic information into the testing equipment, including patient's name, history, number, age, height, weight, handedness, occupation, medications, and presenting symptoms. Performs the appropriate NCS studies using the CTS protocol. Quantitative Sensory Testing (Preferred, but not required) Reviews requests for quantitative sensory testing (QST) and makes scheduling recommendations. Enters biographic information into the testing equipment, including patient's name, history, number, age, height, weight, handedness, occupation, medications, and presenting symptoms. Performs the appropriate QST studies using the QST protocol. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30 am - 4:00 pm, subject to change based on the needs of the facility. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 01100F, 01101F, 01147F, 01148F, 01066F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not authorized