Summary

This position is for a Medical Instruments Technician (Polysomnography) at the Central Virginia VA Health Care System - 1201 Broad Rock - Richmond - VA 23249.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship
• Citizenship of the United States
• (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens
• 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"
• GRADE REQUIREMENTS: 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)
• GS-8 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: Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: 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
• Assignment
• This represents the full performance level
• At this level Polysomnographic Technicians are 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
• They anticipate problems likely to occur during the sleep study and prepare for such situations - make changes in established procedures - or recommend alternative courses of action
• They are able to mentor lower graded technicians
• Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as standing or walking for prolonged periods of time
• frequent bending - reaching - stooping - and stretching to set up and take apart equipment and apparatus
• lifting and repositioning patients
• and pushing or pulling heavy objects such as oxygen tanks and/or equipment
• The work may require specific physical characteristics and abilities such as above-average dexterity to perform intricate respiratory therapy procedures.

Duties

• Duties: The technician independently operates and monitors neurodiagnostic equipment in the Integrated Sleep Disorders Center Richmond VAMC - VISN 6
• The technician performs a full range of standard - but complex examinations including overnight sleep studies - MSLT (multiple sleep latency tests) - and PAP (positive airway pressure)
• They are responsible for properly and accurately calibrating all instruments prior to PSG tracings
• Independently determine the need for CPAP therapy
• Provide briefings and orientation about sleep studies and lab policy to residents - fellows - and other personnel who may rotate thru department
• Serve as mentor to lower level technicians
• Duties at this level may involve more complex procedures (under closer supervision) to prepare the technician for promotion to higher levels
• Work Schedule: 0730 - 1600 - Monday through Friday Compressed/Flexible: not authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized
• Telework: Not authorized
• Virtual: Not authorized.