The Medical Instrument Technologist- Polysomnography is under the administrative supervision of the Chief of Respiratory Care and the Medical Director of the Sleep/Pulmonary Physician, or designee to provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment of sleep disorders. This may involve polysomnography, diagnostic and therapeutic services or patient care and education. The incumbent can perform the duties defined for a Sleep Technologist and may provide oversight of other staff.
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. 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. 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-08: Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-07) 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 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): 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. 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 .Preferred Experience: One year sleep lab experience, Basic Life Support Certification, and Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT). References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/54 PART II APPENDIX G27. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-08. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
A Sleep Technologist must have the ability to organize and manage time effectively, exercise independent judgment, assume responsibility for their own work/actions, and sometimes work under stressful conditions, remain focused, maintain the ability to prioritize and transition between tasks quickly. They must possess ethical judgment, integrity, honesty, dependability and accountability. The major functions of a MIT Polysomnography include, but are not limited, to the following and require that the employee, with or without reasonable accommodations, be able to: Patient instruction and education: Patient setup, calibration and acquisition performance verification Monitoring of multiple physiological data throughout the test Troubleshooting of polysomnographic recording equipment 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 Gather and Analyze Patient Information: Conduct and adhere to all Polysomnographic Procedures Maintains an expertise in the applications and devices used in portable unattended home sleep apnea monitoring. Including technical aspects, care, and cleaning Conducts a sleep clinic were patients are instructed on the "hook up" procedures used with portable monitoring devices and auto-titrating CPAP units to be issued for home use Conducts portable monitoring and autotitrating CPAP procedures in hospitalized patients suspected of having sleep apnea Educates other personnel, including respiratory therapists or physicians, in the use of portable monitoring when requested or required Maintains quality assurance in accordance with American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) guidelines and standards regarding Portable monitoring devices and autotitrating CPAP use Contributes to written administrative protocols regarding the home sleep study pathway when required Inventories, tracks and recovers portable sleep apnea monitoring equipment and auto-titrating CPAP units issued for home use or in- hospital use Trouble shoots patient questions regarding home sleep studies Manages home sleep study data in conjunction with the chief sleep technologist and the director of sleep medicine Conducts CPAP acclimatization procedures, and mask fittings/selections Maintains a work safe environment to include non-technical maintenance of equipment, safety checks, cleaning, stocking, etc. Consults with the lead Technologist in unusual situations for which there are no clear precedents. Treat veterans with physical disabilities, injuries, or disease by use of a wide range of techniques and procedures. Perform work using a variety of polysomnography equipment Emergency medical equipment (AED). Adapts the equipment to the veteran based on information gained through trained observation and laboratory procedures. They must be reliable, able to work independently and be self-motivated. Responsible for special projects in clinical and educational areas for patients and staff. Score sleep/wake stages by applying professionally accepted guidelines and clinical events according to center specific protocols. Work Schedule: 7:30pm-7:30am, and 1 shift of 7:30pm-11:30am Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 12427-F