Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography)

Summary This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

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.

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

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

Language

Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2 - section D - paragraph 5a - this part

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates

Medical Instrument Technologist (Polysomnography) -GS-08 - Please see the education section of this announcement for these requirements

Preferred Experience: Minimum three years experience as Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography) or equivalent

Reference: VA Handbook 5005/15 - Part II Appendix G27 - Medical Instrument Technologist Qualification Standard

This can be found in the local Human Resources Office

For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.The full performance level of this vacancy is 8

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-4 to GS-8. Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation - see Duties section for essential job duties of the position

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

Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography) - 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 a knowledge of the more complex procedures as well as knowledge of the uncommon and/or rare sleep disorders

Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities

In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Advanced knowledge or the International Classification of Sleep Disorders and the ability to recognize uncommon and/or rare sleep disorders

Ability to summarize and report polysomnographic data in narrative form

Knowledge of event characteristics (e.g. - respiratory - cardiac - sleep stage - seizures - etc.) and ability to take appropriate action

Ability to provide briefings and orientation to hospital staff including physicians

Certification

No certification or registration is required

Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are also desirable for employees at this level.

Duties

Duties of the Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography) included but are not limited to: Polysomnography (PSG) Responsible for reviewing patient history as it relates to sleep disorders and other medical conditions that may affect the diagnosis of sleep disorders

Provides education to patients related to procedures and studies to be performed

secures the cooperation of patients by explaining procedures to obtain optimal results

Ability to conduct full sleep studies - including overnight studies - and evaluate the relationship of events and sleep stages as they relate to possible medical conditions related to sleep

Independently performs both fundamental and advanced diagnostic procedures for adult and geriatric patients

Examples include - but are not limited to - PSG - PAP titration - split night - and Multiple Sleep Latency Testing (MSLT) testing procedures

Possesses knowledge of equipment used to perform testing including functional characteristics - operating capabilities - and operator adjustments of the instrumentation

Verifies instrument function by performing calibrations before a study is started and after the study has been completed

Ensures proper signals and adjusts as necessary

Independently implements appropriate therapeutic interventions - such as PAP and oxygen therapy - to appropriate levels per established protocols

Performs PSG data acquisition while monitoring study tracing quality to ensure signals are artifact-free and makes adjustments as necessary

Documents routine observations including sleep stages and clinical events - changes in procedure - and significant events to facilitate scoring and interpretation of study results

Scores sleep/ wake stages and clinical events by applying professionally accepted guidelines

Generates accurate reports by tabulating sleep/ wake and clinical event data

Home Sleep Testing (HST) Provides step-by-step instructions for home sleep testing including information on the device - how and when to use the device - and how and when to return the device

Provides oral - visual - and written instructions on HST units including placement of the device - placement of the sensors - powering on the device - and removing the device to end testing

Issues HST devices in person in the clinic - by mail with disposable devices - or by a contracted vendor

Devices will be packaged with all necessary sensors and batteries and will be shipped using a service with tracking capabilities

Clinic Management Receives patients in clinic

performs and documents vital signs - neck size - and weight

Assists patients with the completion of questionnaires and additional information including - but not limited to - chief complaints - the Epworth Sleepiness Scale - Insomnia Severity Index - Stop Score - sleep habits/ symptoms - etc

Provides education to patients related to PAP device setup and use

secures the confidence and cooperation of patients by explaining equipment and procedures to obtain optimal results

Assists with the completion of electronic consults - answering provider secure messages - and responding to telephone messages

Dedicated to providing same day service for needs of patients who have been seen in clinic - including - but not limited to mask fitting - troubleshooting PAP device problems - PAP therapy initiation and management - pressure adjustments - issuing HST equipment - desensitization - etc

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00 am - 4:30 pm - subject to change based on the needs of the facility

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position

Functional Statement #: :01100F/ 01101F/ 01068F/ 01069F/ 01070F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.

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