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If you are a current, permanent VA employee or Federal employee from another agency, you should apply under CBST-11906778-23-AK. The incumbent works in the sleep laboratory, Cardiopulmonary Section, has comprehensive knowledge of the Scope of practice, concepts, practice parameters and detailed knowledge of human anatomy and physiology, medications, neurological diseases, and respiratory diseases that could affect the recording and may necessitate technique modifications. 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: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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. 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: Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography), 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. Examples of creditable experience include but not limited to performing a full range of standard, but complex, polysomnography examinations with responsibility for properly and accurately calibrating all instruments prior to the beginning of the PSG tracing and selection of appropriate electrode montages and sensitivity and filter settings to elicit the best possible tracings, independently determine the need for CPAP during all night sleep studies for sleep apnea and may administer nerve conduction velocity tests. Resume must include hours per week for work experience credit. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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. (KSAs must be clearly reflected in resume under description of duties in order to be found qualified for this position/grade level). 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: RPSGT/CPR Certified/1-3 years experience as Polysomnographer References: VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II Appendix G27, Medical Instrument Technician Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting/carrying (15-44 pounds), light lifting (under 15 pounds), straight pulling (.5 hour), pushing (1 hour), use of fingers, both hands required, walking (4 hours), standing (2 hours), kneeling, repeated bending, climbing (.5 hour), both legs required, ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, both eyes required, depth perception, ability to distinguish basic and shades of colors, hearing (aid permitted), hearing without aid, ability to read printed material without strain (glasses permitted), ability to hear conversations voice (aid permitted), ability to wear closed toed, non-slip shoes. Environmental factors include dust, working around machinery with moving parts, working alone, protracted or irregular hours of work, mental and emotional stability, (See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Services). ["The duties of the Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography) in Medicine Service include but are not limited to: a. The PSGT must have the ability to work independently without supervision while recording physiological data during night studies and day studies. b. The PSGT must be able to prep patients and calibrate sleep equipment and physiological calibrations on patients. c. The PSGT is responsible for monitoring patient safety parameters in the sleep lab for all emergencies. d. The PSGT must be able to recognize emergent situations, provide competent care, CPR, and notifying the Rapid Response / Code Blue teams in these events. Must be current in BLS. e. PSGT is responsible for proper articulation of the study details, times, respiratory rates, heart rates, cardiac arrythmias, supplemental oxygen therapy, Myoclonus, sleep breathing disorders, neurologic events, parasomnias, SPO2 readings, and Rem behavior disorders. f. PSGT should be knowledgeable how to navigate through the patients medical history, physician notes, and orders in patients medical chart. g. PSGT should be able to stage score the patients sleep study and event score study, based off the AASM scoring parameters and standards. h. The PSGT must use problem solving skills to optimize the raw data in all channels to allow for accurate and comprehensive data for scoring and interp. i. PSGT should have working knowledge of the use of CPAP, BIPAP (S, ST, with and w/o backup rate), AVAPS, as well as all modes of titration therapy. Proper titration methods, time between increase, spread between Ipap and Epap, timed inspiration, breathing rate, ramp, ect. j. PSGT should have knowledge of medications and know the effects they have on sleep, respiratory drive, and brain activity. k. PSGT have working knowledge of all montage signals EEG,EOG, EKG, EMG, respiratory channels, snore channel, and SPO2 channel. l. Working knowledge of the 10-20 neurological measuring system for proper EEG placements. m. PSGT must have working knowledge of all PSG procedures MSLT, MWT, Polysomnograms, CPAP titration studies. n. PSGT should be to provide briefings to supervisory staff as well as physician. o. PSGT should have knowledge of how to interpret Sleep study reports. p. PSGT should have knowledge of how to interpret CPAP download reports. q. PSGT should have knowledge of how to operate the controls of the CPAP machines distributed to patients. r. PSGT should have working knowledge Home sleep devices in sleep center, to include uploading information, downloading information, belts, cannulas, and Spo2 adapters included in the use for Home sleep study setup. s. PSGT should have understanding of the use of all mechanical equipment use in patient care, mechanical lifts, sit to stand, wheelchair, sling lift , mechanical bed controls. t. PSGT should have working knowledge of correct ergonomic movements to assist patients in sitting up, standing from sitting, assisting in use of the handicap rails. u. PSGT should have common knowledge of normal readings for blood sugar, PH, blood pressure, temperature, breathing rate, heart rate, pupil diameter, mallampatti scores, and BMI. v. PSGT should be able to recognize signs of stroke, heart attack, low blood sugar, and seizure, and respond with appropriate emergency action. w. PSGT should have understanding of VHSO emergency codes and protocols for proper response Work Schedule: Wednesday - Friday, 6:30 pm - 8:30 am (evening shift) Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 564-00148-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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