Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography) Fee Basis

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The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

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U.S. Citizen

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Duties

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The duties include but are not limited to:

Polysomnography (PSG) Scorer reviews and interprets the raw data from a sleep study (polysomnogram) in 30-second increments called "epochs".
Apply American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) guidelines to classify sleep stages, detect abnormal breathing events, and identify other sleep-related abnormalities.
Ability to summarize and report polysomnographic data in narrative form.

Core Responsibilities of a PSG Scorer:

Data Analysis: Reviewing approximately 1,000 pages (epochs) of data per study.
Quality Control: Troubleshooting artifacts (non-sleep activity) to determine if they are actual events or just movement.
Report Generation: Compiling the scored data into a comprehensive report for a sleep physician to create a diagnosis and treatment plan.
Adherence to Guidelines: Using AASM guidelines, such as defining apnea as a 50% or more decrease in airflow for at least 10 seconds with a 3% or 4% oxygen drop.

Scoring consists of two passes through the data to define specific metrics:

Sleep Stages: Each 30-second epoch is classified as Wake, NREM Stage N1, N2, N3 (deep sleep), or REM (rapid eye movement) sleep by evaluating brain activity (EEG), eye movements (EOG), and chin muscle tone (EMG).
Respiratory Events: The scorer identifies and tallies abnormal breathing, including:
- Apnea: A complete or near-complete cessation of airflow lasting at least 10 seconds.
- Hypopnea: A partial reduction in airflow followed by an arousal or a drop in oxygen levels.
Arousals: Sudden shifts in brain wave activity indicating brief interruptions in sleep.
Leg Movements: Identification of periodic leg movements (PLMD), which may cause sleep fragmentation.
Heart Rhythm: Analysis of electrocardiogram (EKG) for cardiac rhythm abnormalities.
Oxygen Saturation: The level of oxygen in the blood, identifying times of desaturation (drops)

Requirements

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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.
Subject to background/security investigation.
Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination.
Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

Citizenship: US. Citizenship required. Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
Licensure or Certification. Licensure or Certification is not required for this occupation; however, it is strongly desirable with the possession of the essential knowledge, skills, and abilities. Registration by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) is highly desirable. For all specialties identified in this standard, Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications are desirable. Training which doesn't result in official certification does not meet this definition.
English Proficiency: Proficient in English (written and spoken) is required for patient care positions

Preferred Certification: Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT), Sleep Disorders Specialty (SDS), Registered Sleep Technologists (RST), or Basic Life Support (BLS) certifications are also highly preferable for employees at this level.

Required 1 year Experience:

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.

Physical Requirements: See VHA Handbook 5019

Education

There are no specific educational requirements for this occupation,

Additional information

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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.

Help

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.

To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.

NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

To verify your application is complete, log into your USA JOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

Agency contact information

Jaekoo Kang

Phone: (562) 826-2920
Email: Jaekoo.Kang@va.gov

Address: Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System
11301 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90073
US

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met.
After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.

NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.

Required Documents

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To apply for this position, you must submit a C.V. or Resume.

The following documents are accepted and preferred.

Licensure or Certification

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

Help

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.

To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.

NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

To verify your application is complete, log into your USA JOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USA JOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USA JOBS account or your application will be incomplete.

Agency contact information

Jaekoo Kang

Phone: (562) 826-2920
Email: Jaekoo.Kang@va.gov

Address: Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System
11301 Wilshire Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90073
US

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met.
After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.

NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.