Career Center

The incumbent will be located at the Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System (VAPORHCS) located in Portland, OR. The incumbent reports to the Supervisory Medical Instrument Technician (MIT) of the Sleep Disorders Center who reports through the Respiratory Care Manager along with the Chief of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and the Clinical Director of Division of Hospital & Specialty Medicine (DHSM) 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. 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. 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 Abilities1. Knowledge of standard, computerized polysomnographs for recording continuous all night physiological data including EEG, EOG, EKG, EMG and respiratory parameters.2. Knowledge of standard devices such as oximeters, respiratory effort devices, nasal pressure devices, thermistors, thermocouples, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines, and laboratory computers including the ability to calibrate and operate the equipment and recognize and eliminate recording artifacts.3. Knowledge of medical terminology and medical record organization to review medical records, sleep study orders, consent forms, medical charts, etc.4. Knowledge of polysmnographic procedural protocols (including overnight sleep studies, MSLT, MWT, PAP, etc.).5. Knowledge of basic anatomy and physiology and the international 10-20 electrode placement system in order to conduct the sleep studies.(c) Certification. No certification or registration is required at this level. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification is desirable. 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 duties of 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 polysomnography examinations. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:(b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities1. Knowledge of CPAP function and operation to select and fit appropriate PAP patient interface devices.2. Ability to independently titrate and document PAP level to achieve therapeutic goals.3. Knowledge of indications, complications, and contraindications of CPAP therapy.4. Knowledge of Bi-Level pressure titrations.5. Ability to recognize changes seen during the PSG tracing and identify all stages of sleep. This includes the ability to score and analyze sleep stages in clinical polysomnography recordings.(c) Certification. No certification or registration is required. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification is desirable. 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 a knowledge of the more complex procedures as well as knowledge of the uncommon and/or rare sleep disorders. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:(b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities1. Advanced knowledge or the International Classification of Sleep Disorders and the ability to recognize uncommon and/or rare sleep disorders.2. Ability to summarize and report polysomnographic data in narrative form.3. Knowledge of event characteristics (e.g., respiratory, cardiac, sleep stage, seizures, etc.) and ability to take appropriate action.4. Ability to provide briefings and orientation to hospital staff including physicians.(c) 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. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/54 PART II APPENDIX G27The 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 GS-6 to GS-8. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. ["The Polysomnographic Medical Instrument Technician (MIT) will possess a strong clinical knowledge of common Sleep Disorders. The incumbent is able to function independently with minimal oversight and/ or supervision. The MIT is expected to function as mentor to MIT staff and trainees. The MIT is proficient in the use of complex diagnostic procedures using specialized equipment as well as the ability to initiate PAP titration as needed. Assures that the required equipment is carefully selected and properly presented as determined by the procedure being performed. He/she is responsible for calibrating equipment when necessary. The incumbent can identify and perform routine minor maintenance and recognizes and reports malfunctioning equipment to Biomedical Engineering for repair or replacement. He/ she is able to make minor adjustments to equipment to enhance diagnostic results as well as to request preventative maintenance as needed. Major duties will include, but will not be limited to: The MIT will demonstrate effective communication and interpersonal skills with patients and/or their families, staff, coworkers and providers. The MIT is expected to determine the appropriate PAP pressures and suitable Durable Medical Equipment (DME), DME accessories and /or Reusable Medical Equipment (RME) needs. He/ she is expected to dispense DME and accessories including re-orders obtained via telephone as needed. MIT is able to provide patient education via telephone and face to face for patients with a scheduled sleep procedure(s) or study. Performs sleep studies, including Diagnostic Daytime Study, Split Study, PAP Titration, Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT), or a Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) test. Prepares, calibrates, interfaces, and operates all equipment used in polysomnographic procedures. Applies electroencephalogram (EEG) electrodes based on the International 10-20 electrode placement system. Applies electro-oculogram (EOG), electromyogram (EMG) and electrocardiogram (ECG) using The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) Manual for the Scoring of Sleep and Associated Events: Rules, Terminology and Technical Specifications (AASM Scoring Manual). Applies pulse oximeter ear or finger probe; thoracic and abdominal effort belts; nasal/oral thermistor and thermocouple sensors to produce flow signals, and other diagnostic electrodes and equipment. Ensures patient comfort and proper function of applied electrodes and transducers. Monitors patient, diagnostic equipment, recording and video equipment throughout the study; obtains artifact-free data and tracings; record significant observations such as sleep stage, heart rate, respiration rate, oxygen saturation level, body position; presence and/or absence of sleep apnea, snoring, myoclonus, bruxism, cardiac arrhythmias and/or sleep terrors. Annotates seizures, abnormal sleep behavior and significant respiratory events on the electroencephalographic records in real time. Maintains proper equipment function and data collection. Responds appropriately to all situations involving patient care and maintains proper oxygen and PAP settings. Preferred Experience: Preferred at minimum one year of work experience in a sleep lab environment, NihonKohden experience preferred Work Schedule: Mon-Sun, 7:00PM-6:30AM; variable shifts\nTelework: Not available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]