Clarification from the agency

Open to U.S Citizens only.

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The primary duty of the Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography) is to independently monitor patients during all stages of sleep utilizing a variety of sophisticated recording devices as well as scoring and analyzing sleep stages and events in clinical polysomnographic recordings (PSG), Multiple Sleep Latency Tests (MSLT), Maintenance of Wakerfulness Tests (MWT), home sleep test recordings (HST), nocturnal oximetries (SpO2).The Polysomnography Technician is knowledgeable in more complex procedures as well as uncommon and/or rare sleep disorders. The Polysomnographic Technician assists with patient education and other departmental activities to include the CPAP program.

Duties include but not limited to:

• Responsible for reviewing patient history as it relates to sleep disorders and other medical conditions which may affect the diagnosis of sleep disorders.
• Responsible for explaining the various procedures to the patient and independently performs the following tests or procedures as assigned: diagnostic PSG, titration PSG, Split-night PSG, MSLT, MWT, HST, Oximetry, and actigraphy.
• Independently performs sleep monitoring on individuals with possible sleep apnea or other breathing related sleep disorders and/or arterial desaturations secondary to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or other medical conditions.
• Independently performs sleep monitoring on individuals with other potential sleep disorders including, but not limited to, narcolepsy and periodic limb movement disorder.
• Independently applies continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) and other advanced modalities to appropriate levels per established protocols.
• Applies oxygen therapy as needed per established protocols.
• Responsible for the safe and proper operation of all equipment used in the Sleep Center.
• Verifies correct instrument calibration and operation using established procedures.
• Identifies the cause of common problems and notifies engineering service when appropriate.
• Obtains technical or factory assistance in order to fully utilize the equipment to its full potential.
• Accurately scores sleep studies, MSLTs, MWTs, HSTs, and prepares reports when assigned.
• Assists with CPAP clinic for equipment initiation and instruction, follow-up, and compliance monitoring when assigned.
• Utilizes sleep software: Natus, ZZZPAT, Care Orchestrator, ResMed AirView, Somnoware in the performance of polysomnography, HST, oximetry, actigraphy and CPAP compliance when assigned.
• Provides patient education during the performance of in-lab and home sleep studies, when assisting with CPAP clinic, and may assist with sleep education classes.
• Possess computer skills to access and input typed data on each patient into the computerized patient record system (CPRS), VetLink for patient check-in for appointments, Vista for viewing scheduled appointments and Microsoft Outlook and Teams for communication.
• Keeps inventory of supplies and initiates purchase requests in a timely fashion to avoid disruption of scheduled studies when assigned.
• Interacts with staff physicians regarding the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders and may provide briefings and orientation to hospital staff including physicians.
• Assists with maintaining department spread sheets for department performance measures.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor or designee.

• The Sleep Technologist also recommends changes in the Sleep Medicine Clinic to improve services and patient care. The Sleep Technologist resolves technical work problems with the aid of references, such as manuals, troubleshooting guides, and other reference sources.
• The Sleep Technologist will be responsible in assisting the Lead and Supervisor, Sleep Medicine Services for updating manuals and procedures and recommending policies, which will keep Sleep Medicine Clinic up to date.
• The Sleep Technologist will report progress and resolution of problems in achieving goals and objectives to the Lead and Supervisor, Sleep Medicine Services.
• The Sleep Technologist will assist the Lead and Supervisor, Sleep Medicine Services for in planning and implementing effective educational programs for in services, orientation, continuing education, and other personnel training in the Sleep Medicine Clinic.
• The Sleep Technologist participates in the training of Sleep Medicine Staff, Medical Students, House Staff, Nursing Staff, other Medical Center personnel, and patients.
• The Sleep Technologist provides care based on physical, psychosocial, educational, safety, and related criteria, appropriate to the age of the patients served in his/her assigned area (i.e. adult and geriatric patient populations).

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

CITIZENSHIP: Must Be U.S. Citizen. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY: Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English, in accordance VA Handbook 5005, Part II, chapter 2, section 5a.

NOTE: 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).

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 DETERMINATION (GS-8 FPL)

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the criteria discussed in the applicable headings, or that defined in the appendices, must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

EXPERIENCE: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-7) 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:

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.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:
(1) Maintains a current Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) card.
(2) Knowledge of positive airway pressure (PAP) functions, set-up, and operation of different types of CPAPs and Bi-level PAPs.
(3) Current state license as a Respiratory Therapist or as a Polysomnography Technologist.

References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G27 (Appendix I) Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography)The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8.

Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing; clear, distinctive speech; and manual dexterity. The position requires potentially long periods of continued sitting, telephone and computer usage, walking, standing, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring of equipment/objects may be required.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.