Summary

The Medical Instrument Technician - Polysomnography Technician - functions within the Sleep Disorders section of Medicine Service and is responsible for diagnostic testing - scoring - initiation & titration of patients with known or suspected sleep disorders.

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
• 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
• English Language Proficiency
• Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f)
• May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria)
• Grandfathering Provision
• The following is the standard grandfathering policy for all Title 38 Hybrid qualification standards
• Some of these provisions may not apply to this occupation
• Please carefully review the qualification standard to determine the specific education and/or licensure/certification/ registration requirements that apply to this occupation
• All persons employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title - series and grade held - including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation
• For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard - but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it - the following provisions apply: Such employees in an occupation that does not require a licensure/certification/registration - may be reassigned - promoted - or demoted within the occupation
• Such employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/registration - may be reassigned - promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level - or demoted within the occupation - but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions
• Such employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure/certification/registration requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels
• Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed - on a temporary or permanent basis - until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard
• Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation - who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation
• If an employee who was retained in an occupation listed in 38 U.S.C. § 7401(3) under this provision leaves that occupation - the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation
• Grade Determinations: minimum requirement for GS-8 Level: Experience - You must have at least one year of experience comparable to the GS-7 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 more complex procedures as well as knowledge of the uncommon and/or rare sleep disorders
• Knowledge - skills and abilities applicable to the GS-7 grade level: 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
• In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following knowledge - skills and abilities applicable to the GS-8 grade level: 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
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. Physical Requirements: Considerable walking/standing may be required
• Frequent lifting - positioning - pushing/pulling may be required when moving equipment or supplies or other infrequent needs
• Frequent - prolonged extensive or considerable sitting is often required
• Manual dexterity and mobility are required
• The work may require specific physical characteristics and abilities such as above-average dexterity to perform intricate respiratory therapy procedures
• Frequent reaching - stooping - bending - kneeling - or crouching may be necessary
• Moderate physical effort (ability to lift/carry up to 50 pounds) may be occasionally required
• Intermittent exertion is possible
• Subject to interruptions and stress from multiple calls - patient needs and/or inquiries from others - whether in-person - on the telephone or via computer
• Sound judgment and ability to function under stress is required
• Inappropriate actions/judgment - especially those during emergency or crisis situations - may result in injury or death.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Major Duties and Responsibilities: General Knowledge - Sleep Disorders Understands etiology - anatomy - pathology - diagnosis - and treatment of common sleep disordered breathing conditions
• Demonstrates knowledge of testing procedures used in the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders - including - but not limited to: in-lab and in-home overnight polysomnography testing - Multiple Sleep Latency Testing (MSLT) and positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy
• Identifies common patient surveys/questionnaires used in the screening process for sleep disorders - including the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) - the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and the STOP-BANG questionnaire
• Identifies limitations or common issues encountered with polysomnography testing & treatment initiation/titration
• These include - but are not limited to: claustrophobia - anxiety - those with cognitive barriers and insomnia
• Clinical Competence Identifies information that must be obtained prior to performing any diagnostic testing and/or therapeutic intervention - including: patient identification - sleep study history or other pertinent information
• Demonstrates ability to perform comprehensive patient assessment
• Identifies the indications - contraindications and hazards of frequently performed procedures - including: in-lab overnight polysomnography testing & scoring - in-home overnight testing & scoring - MSLT testing - application and titration of (CPAP) and (BiPAP) therapies - pulse oximetry & transcutaneous carbon dioxide monitoring
• Identifies critical information that must be communicated during testing and procedures
• Demonstrates ability to adapt care to patient situation
• Clinical Practice - Emergency Care Effectively identifies and takes proper action when faced with patient situations that require urgent or emergent management
• Provides cardiopulmonary resuscitation - as needed
• Communication/Documentation Communicates effectively and professionally with patients - families - coworkers - and other staff
• Collaborates with patients - families - caregivers - and other members of the health care team to coordinate appointment availability and follow-up testing or treatments
• Properly and completely documents all assessments - results - interventions - issues in patients file
• Ensures that all completed studies are scored accurately and uploaded to the appropriate storage site
• Ensures that all consults are completed in a timely manner
• Education Provides patient education related to the purpose of study
• Keeps abreast of current trends in sleep-disorders
• Attends all required in-services and training sessions
• Health & Occupational Safety Correctly identifies and demonstrates ability to don (PPE) that should be utilized during procedures - testing or evaluation of patients and equipment
• Ensures a safe patient environment at all times
• Notifies environmental services when in need of additional cleaning or services
• Notifies supervisor for items needing Engineering assistance
• Work Schedule: 1 shift minimum per week - 7:00pm to 3:30am or 7:00pm - 7:30am
• Includes weekend coverage
• No holidays
• Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 95250-A Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized