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.)

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.

Duties

• 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