Clarification from the agency

This position is listed on the annual determination of staffing shortages and Veterans Preference does not apply to this recruitment. Veterans are encouraged to apply and will receive full consideration.

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Duties include but not limited to:

The following is a summary of the major essential functions of this job. The Incumbent may perform other related duties as assigned, both major and minor not mentioned below; periodically specific functions may change.

• Demonstrates knowledge of standard, computerized polysomnographs for recording continuous physiological data including Electroencephalogram, Electrooculogram, Electrocardiogram, Electromyogram, and Respiratory parameters.
• Demonstrates knowledge and experience in customer service activities.
• Demonstrates skills to include computer literacy, typing, telephone communications, and patient documentation.
• Operates and maintains the electroencephalograph and other devices to record the electrical activity of the brain during sleep.
• Operates and maintains the electroencephalograph and other devices to record the electrical activity of the brain during sleep.
• Effectively assures quality customer service in accordance with company written policies and procedures.
• Builds credibility for the organization through effective communication and servicing of patient needs through quality patient care.
• Responsible for answering telephone, screening and directing calls appropriately.
• Handles customer complaints/problems per established policy and procedures.
• Knowledge of polysomnography procedural protocols (including overnight sleep studies, MSLT, MWT, PAP, etc.)
• Stays up on information necessary to deliver quality health care.
• Responsible for providing timely customer service to all walk-in customers.
• Provides coverage for EEG testing.
• Responsible for development, monitoring and reporting of quality monitors for the sleep program.
• Maintains appropriate equipment levels
• Set up of appropriate respiratory/sleep equipment to all patients admitted into service.
• Responsible for education of patients as related to the equipment given and sleep hygiene.
• Distributes questionnaires and retrieves responses from the patients, assuring copies are in the medical record. Additionally assuring that the questionnaire data is relayed to care providers.
• Responsible for tracking and monitoring all home studies and respiratory sleep equipment in patient home.
• Responsible for ongoing quality assurance program for respiratory sleep equipment maintenance and services.
• Responsible for insuring that all technical policies and medical equipment policies and/or procedures related to respiratory equipment and services are followed.
• Monitor equipment recalls and equipment malfunctions insuring proper safety follow-up.
• Maintain records as required by agencies to include, but not limited to: JC, FDA, OSHA and MSDS as related to all equipment and patient care.
• Responsible for independently administering complex sleep therapy treatments and procedures under a physician's orders.
• Ability to properly assess patient's condition using examination and other clinical data.
• Ability to demonstrate and instruct patients, family and health care providers on the proper use of sleep equipment and procedures.
• Ability to maintain accurate inventories of sleep equipment.
• Ability to coordinate the distribution, retrieval and data management of unattended sleep studies.
• Demonstrates knowledge of computers sufficient to perform data management task and downloading of data streams from patient monitoring systems.
• Ability to perform bedside test and treatments to patients using approved hospital and department policies and procedures, monitoring patients for adverse reactions and independently taking corrective actions based on established policy
• Notifies supervisor of untoward events, problems and issues that cannot be resolved.
• Maintain credentials such as, but not limited to, NBRC or RPSGT, current state licensure and Basic Life Support certification.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 0700-1730 (4 days per week rotating day off, not a set day off)
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

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.

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. Education may be substituted for experience only at the GS-4 and GS-5 levels. See the grade requirements part of this standard for information regarding educational substitutions.
• 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".
• English Language Proficiency. Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part.
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

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).

Grade Determinations: GS-9. In addition to the core competencies defined t the GS-8 level, positions at this grade may be lead, supervisory, or non-supervisory with specialized advanced knowledge and assignments.
(a) Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level, which is directly related to the duties of the position to be filled, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level. This would be polysomnography services. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*):
(b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. KSAs 1, 2, 3 are appropriate for all positions at this level. KSAs 4 and 5 are to used in accordance with their appropriateness for the specific assignment.
1. Know of the more complex examination and treatment procedures and techniques in order to provide training and supervision in these procedures, to evaluate and initiate performance improvement projects, and to write policies, procedures, and protocols, that pertain to Polysmnography.
*2. Knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements.
3. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels.
*4. Ability to manage and supervise employees.
*5. Ability to provide, or provide for, staff development and training.
(c) Certification. Registration by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) is highly desirable. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are also desirable for employees at this level.
(d) Assignments. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed bit he incumbent at least 25% of the time.

1. Special Assignments. Non-supervisory polysomnography technicians may have assignments that because of their nature substantially exceed the full performance level. The Professional Standards Board will review proposed non-supervisory special assignments for the GS-9 level and make a determination regarding their appropriateness. These assignments are expected to be relatively few in number and must represent substantial additional responsibility over the full performance level.

Preferred Experience: At least 1 year experience preferred

References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G27, Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography Technician)

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-9 to GS-9.

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, resume, 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.