Career Center

The medical instrument technician (MIT) PAP is a certified registered polysomnography (PSG) technician or certified respiratory therapist that educates veterans on the use and technical aspects of positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The individual will assist veterans serviced in our outpatient PAP clinics but also those housed throughout the medical center. 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. Physical Requirements: see VA Directive and Handbook 5019. English Language Proficiency: Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. Titles and Certifications/Registrations: Polysomnography Technicians operate the electroencephalograph and other devices to record the electrical activity of the brain during sleep. Registration is offered by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT). (See Appendix I) GS-8 Grade Determinations: Experience: at least one (1) year of experience comparable to GS-7 level which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of a Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography). 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. Experience includes demonstrated Knowledge of CPAP function and operation to select and fit appropriate PAP patient interface devices; Ability to independently titrate and document PAP level to achieve therapeutic goals; Knowledge of indications, complications, and contraindications of CPAP therapy; Knowledge of Bi-Level pressure titrations; 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. Note: Please ensure how you meet the experience is clearly described in your resume; we may not make assumptions regarding your experience. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs (Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities): 1. 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. Note: Please ensure how you meet these KSAs is clearly described in your resume; we may not make assumptions regarding your experience. 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. Preferred Experience: Previous clinical experience in Sleep Medicine, preferred. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G27 Medical Instrument Technician Qualification Standard GS-649 VHA. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. Physical Requirements: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands, arms; climb or balance; talk or hear and drive and travel to CBOCs (i.e. Key West, Ft. Lauderdale) to distribute PAP therapy equipment. The employee is occasionally required to walk; sit; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Creditable Experience: Knowledge of Current Medical Instrument Technician Practices. To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics associated with current Medical Instrument Technician practice appropriate to (Polysomnography). Specialized developmental experience obtained under supervision of appropriately certified individuals may be credited at higher levels and is addressed in individual appendices. Quality of Experience: Experience is only creditable if it is equivalent to at least the next lower grade level and is directly related to the Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography). Part-time Experience: Part time experience is credited according to its relationship to a full time work week. For example, an individual employed 20 hours per week, or on a ½ time basis would receive one work week credit for each two weeks of service. ["Specific Areas of Responsibilities are:\nThe following is a summary of the essential functions of this job. The MIT PAP may perform other duties, both major and minor, that are not mentioned below. Essential functions may change from time to time to reflect the current trends within the field of sleep medicine, and to meet the comprehensive sleep care needs of the patients served\n.A. Job Knowledge:\n1. Demonstrates knowledge and level of expertise for all PAP equipment used in the Sleep Center.\n2. Keeps current in all necessary equipment through in-services, seminars and continuing education.3. Maintains all required and applicable state and federal requirements and regulations\nB. Quality of Care:\n1. Plans, provides and maintains a safe environment for patients, staff and others.\n2. Provides accurate, legible and complete documentation\n.3. Provides services according to established policies, procedures and protocols.\n4. Initiates new equipment education efficiently and accordance to manufacturers recommendations to staff, patients, and caregivers and documents appropriately.\n5. Participates in departmental and organizational improvement activities.6. Interacts effectively with patients, physicians and other members of the healthcare team.\nC. Education: 1. Provides education to sleep medicine physicians about CPAP equipment\n2. Provides education to other staff members throughout the hospital regarding PAP therapy required throughout the medical center.\nD. CPAP clinic: 1. Provides standardized initial education to all veterans receiving PAP therapy\n2. Assists with individuals who may need trouble-shooting due to difficulties utilizing PAP.\n3. Assists with walk-in appointments related to #2.\n4. Performs objective CPAP adherence downloads to verify use of therapy5. Discusses any issues with CPAP therapy or on-going problems with the lead MIT and/or a sleep medicine physician\nE. Inventory of CPAP clinic equipment 1. Communicates with the lead MIT concerning PAP supplies distributed in our CPAP clinic (i.e. PAP units, masks).\n2. Communicates with the appropriate departments (i.e. Logistics/Prosthetics) regarding stocks of these key supplies to ensure on-going capabilities of all of our sleep care services\nF. Tele-health Sleep Medicine/Community-based satellite PAP clinics: 1. Travels to CBOCs (i.e. Key West, Ft. Lauderdale) to distribute PAP therapy equipment\n2. Assists the sleep medicine physicians with objective downloads during the community-based satellite tele-health sleep medicine clinics.\n3. Assists with trouble-shooting PAP therapy equipment. Work Schedule: 8:00am-4:30pm\nCompressed/Flexible: Not available\nTelework: Not available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position\nFunctional Statement #: 00000Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nPCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]