The Medical Instrument Technician-Polysomnography (PSG Technician) is able to interact fully with the patient and physician to diagnose sleep disorders including those that are uncommon or rare. They are able to conduct full sleep studies including overnight studies and evaluate the relationship of events, sleep stages, and possible medical conditions which influence or result from events occurring during sleep. 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: Must be proficient in spoken and written English (to be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C., chapter 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA, applicants must be proficient in written and spoken English). 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. 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. GS-8: 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. And, 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. Preferred Experience: At least 2-4 years of experience in performing overnight polysomnography and scoring of the sleep studies according to AASM scoring manual - experience scoring on the fly. Certification by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists as a Registered Polysomnographic Technologist or equivalent. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BLS) certification. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G27 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-08. Physical Requirements: This position requires potentially long periods of walking, standing, stooping, sitting, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring patients and objects may be required. The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing in isolation situations or operative/invasive procedures. The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders. Must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, able to shift priorities based on patient needs. ["The sleep technician assesses patients, performs overnight polysomnography and scores the sleep study on the fly. The sleep technician performs patient set up, calibration, acquisition of data, trouble shooting of equipment if needed, removal and sterilization of electrodes after completion of study and documents appropriately in electronic medical record. Outpatient visits are conducted by Face to face visits, Video Connect and telephone. Duties of the Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography) include, but are not limited to: The PSG Technician independently carries out duties for the assigned sleep lab. The technologist is expected to resolve problems with equipment failure and make substitutions for equipment when necessary. Situations not covered by instructions of standard procedures (i.e., sudden unexpected changes in the patient's condition) are reported to the supervisor and medical staff. Follows the supervisory chain of commands. Adheres to information security and privacy measures. Completes 10 sleep related CEUs yearly for maintaining knowledge and skills and participates in formal training, -service, workshops and conferences. Annually develops and evaluates professional and personal goals. Follows the practice and parameters of sleep testing as per Sleep Lab guideline, if applicable Follows policies and procedures for Home Sleep Testing per Sleep Lab guidelines, if applicable Able to cover for call ins / vacation with appropriate lead times Follows sleep lab and medical center policies The technologist is responsible for selecting and adapting equipment and instructions. Collect, analyze and integrate patient information in order to identify and meet the patient-specific needs. Prepares and calibrates Nocturnal and Home Sleep Testing equipment required for testing to determine proper functioning and make adjustments if necessary. Apply electrodes and sensors according to accepted published standards. Perform appropriate physiologic calibrations to ensure proper signals and make adjustments if necessary. f) Perform positive airway pressure (PAP) mask fitting. Follow procedural protocols for Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT), Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT), adaptive servo-ventilation (ASV), and parasomnia studies, PAP, oxygen titration and Inspire ® Device Activation, etc. Inspire device titration to ensure collection of appropriate data. Follow \"lights out\" procedures to establish and document baseline values (such as body position, oxyhemoglobin saturation, respiratory a Completes all medical record documentation in CPRS within prescribed timeframes. Scores sleep/wake stages by applying professionally accepted guidelines. Score clinical events such as respiratory events, cardiac events, limb movements, arousals etc. according to center specific protocols. Able to do Cardio-Pulmonary scoring for Home Sleep Testing. Generate accurate reports by tabulating sleep/wake and clinical event data. Able to properly explain the hookup process for Home Sleep Testing to patients. Maintains the cleanliness of all equipment with manufacturer recommended cleaning methods. Maintains Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification. Additional duties, as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. or 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Subject to change based upon agency needs) Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: N/A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
About Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
