Summary The technician will provide a full range of duties for EEG (Electroencephalography) section of the Mental Health Department at the Long Beach CA VA Healthcare System (NMVAHCS) in Long Beach, CA. Responsibilities The technician will work independently within specific parameters for the Neuro Modulation program Duties include, but are not limited to the following: will assist in the Neuromodulation Program and operate neuromodulation equipment (e.g., repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) machine) under the supervision of a Registered Nurse or Licensed Independent Practitioner. This position is in the VA Long Beach Healthcare System Mental Health Care Group in Long Beach, California. The duties and responsibilities will be carried out in all clinical and other patient care areas involved with the Neuromodulation Program. Will primarily support the administration of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) treatments in the Neuromodulation Program Provides supervised operational support for the Neuromodulation Service. This includes monitoring clinic supplies (e.g., TMS Pads, earplugs, eye covers), ensuring at least quarterly reviews of available supplies, and coordination with inventory management. Will include listening to voicemails daily before the start of the clinic day. Provides daily screening of Neuromodulation patients Provides support to the clinic attending or their designee during motor threshold (MT) determination. Provides supervised daily operation of clinic devices under the supervision of a Neuromodulation Attending or Registered Nurse. Will start the device, pre-set headrest positions, place the coil in the machine, and attach protective covers before the veteran arrives. Upon arrival, evaluates the veteran for any worn metal that needs to be removed. Correctly positioning a veteran and troubleshooting common treatment delivery issues such as coil placement and contact. Will provide eye-on monitoring during TMS therapy and knowledge of potential warning signs regarding coil placement. Safely assists veterans if needing out of the TMS therapy device after completion of treatment. Administers rating scales for clinic patients. Demonstrates flexibility in adapting neuropsychology and neuromodulation procedures to optimize clinical service delivery as directed by the supervisor, including adopting emerging evidence-based practices. Draft notes daily in CPRS, documenting the procedures performed under the appropriate note title and following established forms filled with relevant data from the day's treatment Demonstrated abilities to deliver basic emergency care in the Neuromodulation Program, including using the emergency stop button on the TMS therapy device and implementing facility emergency procedures. Contributes to approved neuropsychology and neuromodulation research protocols and program evaluation projects. Recognizes life-threatening, medically emergent, or complex patient situations. Identify severe conditions requiring rapid intervention when necessary. Provides patients and their families with a thorough explanation of the procedure. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Medical Instrument Technician (Electroencephalography/EEG) - NeuromodulationPD00000 Recruitment Incentives: May be Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required 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. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. 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. 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. Grade Determinations: GS-6 (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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (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. 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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (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. 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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: (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. 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. 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 6 to 8. Physical Requirements: Heavy Lifting (Up to 30 lbs); Heavy Carrying (Up to 30 lbs); Straight Pulling (Up to 30 lbs); Pushing (Up to 30 lbs); Walking (Up to 8 hours); Standing (Up to 8 hours); Repeated bending (Up to 8 hours); Near vision correctable at 13" to 16"; Hearing (aid permitted). Preferred Experience: NeuroModulation Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G27- MIT EEG Qualification Standard. 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 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. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. 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.