Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography)

01Basic 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. Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, in the VA handbook 5005 GS-0649, 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.

In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Advanced knowledge or the International Classification of Sleep Disorders and the ability to recognize uncommon and/or rare sleep disorders. Ability to summarize and report polysomnographic data in narrative form. Knowledge of event characteristics (e.g., respiratory, cardiac, sleep stage, seizures, etc.) and ability to take appropriate action. Ability to provide briefings and orientation to hospital staff including physicians. *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. 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.

02Preferred Experience

The incumbent must display proficiency and perform at a level of excellence in all Sleep Diagnostic procedures and polysomnographic studies in the sleep laboratory including routine polysomnogram, PAP titration studies including CPAP, Bi-level, ASV and HNS technologies. Must be proficient in education of patients and family members as well as following all technical and hospital, federal and state regulations as well as following recommendations of the AASM, JCAHO, BRPT, and the AAST.

The incumbent must have a high-level understanding of high and low filters, sensitivity, gain, AC/DC filters and inputs, bio-calibrations, machine calibrations, and needs high level understanding of instrumentation and electrical safety. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. 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-6 to GS-8 Physical Requirements: Work is primarily performed in all patient care areas (in-patient and outpatient). All Polysomnographers will have extensive interaction with patients, staff, physicians, family members, and visitors. The Respiratory Therapist is expected to be able to move lift, bend, and stoop while performing duties with equipment, supplies, and patients.

Ability to handle varying levels of stress in a positive manner.

All Medical Instrument Technician must be able to perform the following physical requirements: - Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over - Heavy carrying, 45 pounds and over - Pushing - Reaching above shoulder - Use of fingers/ Both hands required - Walking/ Standing /Kneeling - Repeated bending - Climbing, legs only 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 - Ability to distinguish basic colors - Hearing without aid

Duties for the GS8 position: Duties may include, but not limited to: - Patient instruction and education - Patient assessment related to sleep disorders - Patient setup, calibration and acquisition performance verification - Monitoring of multiple physiological data throughout the test - Troubleshooting of polysomnographic recording equipment - Perform pre and post-test calibrations - Identify and treat sleep related breathing disorders - Recognize the need for medical intervention if patient safety is at risk - Remove, and sterilize electrodes and sensors at completion of study - The staging of the sleep studies - Document all data in CPRS including for scoring - The Scoring of Sleep Studies - Independently evaluate sleep related breathing disorders patients, and titrate pressures, download data, review compliance and fit patients with appropriate interface devices to achieve the physicians therapeutic goals. - Portable Home Sleep Monitor to include; assessment, education, equipment setup and downloading patient data. - Providing TeleHealth services for (CPAP/Home sleep) **This is not a virtual position Telehealth service are provided on site.

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. The applicant must be reliable, able to work independently and be self-motivated.

The Polysomnographer is responsible for performing job duties in accordance with Mission, Vision and Values of James A Haley Veterans' Hospital Work Schedule: After orientation period, a compressed schedule may be available depending on the service's needs (20:00-0630, 0530-16:00) or approved compressed schedule, weekdays and weekends. Tours of Duty are subject to change as needed to meet the needs of the service. Functional Statement #: 70509F