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• Performs the full range of complex procedures using specialized equipment that requires precise adjustments to respond to individual patient needs, conditions or test sequences.
• Performs sleep monitoring (PSG) on individuals with a variety of sleep disorders, including but not limited to; possible sleep apnea, arterial desaturations secondary to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or other medical conditions, narcolepsy, parasomnias and periodic limb movement disorder.
• Sets up PAP equipment, performs quality checks to ensure readiness for use during the procedure; applies positive airway pressure (PAP) devices and titrates settings to appropriate levels per established protocols.
• Explains procedures and positions patient to ensure comfort during a variety of tests, taking into account the patient's age, mental and physical status.
• Applies electrodes according to recognized standards; electroencephalogram (EEG) electrodes based on the International 10-20 electrode placement system; electro-oculogram (EOG), electromyogram (EMG) and electrocardiogram (ECG) using The American Academy of Sleep Medicine Manual for the Scoring of Sleep and Associated Events.
• Applies thoracic and abdominal transducer; pulse oximeter finger or ear probe; respiratory effort belts; nasal/oral sensors; and other diagnostic electrodes and equipment.
• Annotates seizures, abnormal sleep behavior and significant respiratory events on the electroencephalographic records in real time (i.e., as the test is occurring)
• Scans and examines environment of recording to detect and eliminate possible sources of artifacts, recognizes artifacts as they occur in real time; works rapidly to diagnose and eliminate artifacts, to preserve the integrity of recording.
• Monitors patient, diagnostic equipment, recording and video equipment throughout the study; obtains artifact-free data and tracings; records significant observations such as sleep stage, heart rate, respiration rate, oxygen saturation level, body position; presence and/or absence of sleep apnea, snoring, myoclonus, bruxism, cardiac arrhythmias, sleep terrors, etc.
• Provides an assessment of the patient's condition throughout the patient's stay in the department and responds appropriately when a patient's condition falls below the baseline assessment of what is stable.
• Responds appropriately to all situations involving patient care.
• Scores clinical events (such as respiratory events, cardiac events, limb movements, arousals etc.) and sleep/wake stages by applying professionally accepted guidelines.
• Analyzes approximately 1000 pages of information per PSG for sleep stages; heart rate and arrhythmias; respiration rate and pattern; oxygen saturation level; pH level; myoclonic activity; seizure activity; thoracic and abdominal movement pattern; tidal volume changes, tumescence activity; EOG activity; bruxism; specific EEG patterns; awakenings/ arousals; and other significant observations.
• Delivers summaries to sleep services supervisor or medical director.
• Explains any deviation from standard operating procedures.
• Prepares and organizes patient charts with all the appropriate forms and questionnaires.
• Prepares and organizes patient rooms with supplies and equipment required for appropriate polysomnographic procedure and electrode application.
• Participates in Home Sleep Testing (HST) program.
• Explains HST procedures to the patient and answers any questions.
• Maintains inventory of supplies and initiates purchase requests.
• Ensures that all equipment is kept clean and safe for use.
• Reports malfunctioning equipment to Biomedical for repair or replacement.
• Ensures proper cleaning and performs minor adjustments and maintenance.
• Prepares, calibrates, interfaces, and operates all equipment used in polysomnographic procedures.
• Instructs trainees and fellows in polysomnography techniques.
• Mentors lower graded technicians.
• Functions effectively as a team member when cooperative efforts are needed by doing own share of work and assisting other team members as needed to complete patient workload.
• Reports and documents daily activities and workload accurately and completely.
• Reports patient status and recent changes in patient care to other health team members.
• Documents patient care and daily activities appropriately.
• Completely and accurately documents and reports patient data and status.
• Provides verbal and/or written information that is thorough and correct, using clear and precise communication methods to ensure that customers understand.
• Accurately complies with department policy, procedure and/or supervisor regarding communication, documentation and interdepartmental conflicts within the appropriate timeframes.
• Communicates with personnel on inpatient wards and outpatient areas to obtain pertinent information in the planning of care during the test.

Work Schedule: 40 hours per week
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000

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.
• 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.

Grade Determinations:

To qualify at the GS-8 full performance level, you must possess 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; 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; Ability to recognize changes seen during the PSG tracing and identify all stages of sleep. This includes the ability to score and analyze sleep stages in clinical polysomnography recordings.

In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities1. 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.

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.

Preferred Experience: 1-2 years experience in the field of sleep medicine with patient care. RPSGT credential preferred

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: The work involves regular and recurring exposure to moderate risks and discomforts which require special safety and health precautions, e.g., working regularly with patients and in situations where there is risk of exposure to contagious diseases, odors and/or flammable materials.

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.