This position serves in the Pulmonary and Critical Care Section and impact direct patient care in both the in-patient and outpatient setting for the Eastern Colorado Healthcare System (ECHCS).
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. Citizenship. Citizenship of the United States. 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 at GS-06 and above as evidence of possession of the essential knowledge, skills, and abilities. 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 REQUIREMENTS. GS-04 Experience. At least one (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 position to be filled. Six (6) months of this experience may have been in medically related fields such as nursing assistant, practical nursing, or similar fields. The remaining six (6) months must have been in operating diagnostic and therapeutic equipment covered by this occupation. Experience gained in the operation of equipment for animal diagnosis or treatment may be credited at this level. OR Education. Successful completion of two (2) years of education above high school or an associate's degree with a major field of study directly related to the medical instrument technician occupation. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): 1. Knowledge of basic medical terminology. 2. Ability to learn the components, operating characteristics, and settings of the equipment to be used. 3. Ability to learn typical patient reactions to the basic procedures involved and ability to recognize signs of distress. 4. Ability to learn the standard positions for the procedure being conducted. 5. Ability to communicate orally and in writing. GS-05 Experience. At least one (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 position to be filled. This would be experience in operating equipment related to the particular specialization for which application is made or in related functional areas. Experience gained in the operation of equipment for animal diagnosis or treatment may be credited through this grade level. OR Education. Successful completion of four (4) academic years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation or a bachelor's degree in a major field of study appropriate to medical instrument technician functions. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): 1. Knowledge of standard medical terminology to interpret physician orders or instructions. 2. Knowledge of common physical disabilities and ability to position patients for the examination or treatment. 3. Ability to learn the normal and abnormal results for routine procedures to recognize and report obvious abnormalities. 4. Ability to operate the equipment to administer routine/standard diagnostic treatment or procedures. 5. Ability to perform standard operator maintenance on the equipment including the ability to disassemble, clean, reassemble, and calibrate the machine. GS-06 Experience. At least one (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 position to be filled. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): 1. Knowledge of standard, computerized polysomnographs for recording continuous all night physiological data including EEG, EOG, EKG, EMG and respiratory parameters. 2. Knowledge of standard devices such as oximeters, respiratory effort devices, nasal pressure devices, thermistors, thermocouples, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines, and laboratory computers including the ability to calibrate and operate the equipment and recognize and eliminate recording artifacts. 3. Knowledge of medical terminology and medical record organization to review medical records, sleep study orders, consent forms, medical charts, etc. 4. Knowledge of polysomnographic procedural protocols (including overnight sleep studies, MSLT, MWT, PAP, etc.). 5. Knowledge of basic anatomy and physiology and the international 10-20 electrode placement system in order to conduct the sleep studies. GS-07 Experience. At least one (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 position to be filled. This would be experience which provided the individual with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to independently conduct difficult but standardized polysomnography examinations. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): 1. Knowledge of CPAP function and operation to select and fit appropriate PAP patient interface devices. 2. Ability to independently titrate and document PAP level to achieve therapeutic goals. 3. Knowledge of indications, complications, and contraindications of CPAP therapy. 4. Knowledge of Bi-Level pressure titrations. 5. 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. Certification. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification is desirable. GS-08 Experience. At least one (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 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. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are also desirable for employees at this level. Preferred Experience: Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT) preferred. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance of this vacancy is GS-08 The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-04 to GS-08. Physical Requirements: The MIT (Polysomnography) must meet the physical requirements to provide pulmonary function and diagnostic testing: Sight corrected to 20/20 vision, no color or night blindness. Lifting 30 lbs. Pushing 65 lbs. Repeated stooping Repeated bending Repeated twisting Prolonged standing and walking Ability to sit in front of a computer screen for long periods of time. The MIT (Polysomnography) may be required to function as sole Clinician in the Pulmonary Services area if circumstances dictate.
VA offers a Comprehensive Total Rewards package: Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional. The Rocky Mountain Regional Medical Center (RMR Medical Center) Sleep Lab facilitates provision of sleep disordered breathing therapeutic equipment to veterans throughout most of Colorado, as well as portions of New Mexico, Nebraska and Kansas. The duties include but are not limited to the following: Incumbent performs Polysomnography studies of limited complexity and related interventions to include but not be limited to: Full polysomnogram, unattended sleep studies, Multiple Sleep Latency Tests (MSLT), Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT).). Must have knowledge of normal vs. abnormal test data and be able to distinguish between artifact and an actual event. Incumbent must have knowledge of respiratory therapy and necessary equipment related to oxygen delivery systems, pulse oximetry, and non- invasive ventilation. Preps patients and calibrates complete sleep recording equipment. Reviews the consult for appropriateness, enters all information into the sleep equipment software program and saves data when testing is completed. Reviews the patient's medical record, orders and physician's notes. After the study, the technician writes a brief note describing the procedure and outcome in the electronic medical record. Reviews results of all sleep related diagnostic testing to determine if the test is valid. Responsible for accurately scoring each polysomnogram according to the R and K criteria and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine scoring standards. Distinguishes and annotates any change in recording parameters or conditions on the test tracings as they occur. Recognizes sleep apnea, sleep movements, hypopneas, and rapid eye movement (REM) behavior disorder and makes adjustments in recording parameters to optimize performance of sleep studies. Follows standard precautions to prevent spread of disease. Will actively participate in DME and or Sleep Lab meetings. As needed will participate in scheduled CPAP/BiPAP educational clinics. Assist with walk-in clinics as related to CPAP mask fittings and equipment set-up and troubleshooting. Provide support to the Chest Clinic and Sleep Clinic and be a resource to patients and providers as related to sleep disorders and sleep studies and related DME equipment. May be required to Set-up equipment for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) and Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP) titration studies and oxygen titrations. Completes all annual competencies. Will display a cooperative, positive attitude and will effectively work together with patients and peers to implement the organization's mission and goals. Will assist in other areas of the Pulmonary and Critical Care Section as directed by the Supervisor/Manager/Chief to ensure the goals of the Section are met. Will be flexible in job performance to meet the demands of an ever-changing patient population. Will be expected to assist in other areas of the Pulmonary and Critical Care Section as related to their education, training and licensure. Must have knowledge of anatomy and physiology, including an in-depth understanding of the circulatory and pulmonary systems, and the major organs associated with these systems. Must have expertise in the operation of all sleep study related equipment and follow-up intervention and be able to select and manipulate the equipment and therapy to meet the patient's needs. May be expected to occasionally travel to other locations such as the Community Based Out-patient Clinics (CBOC's) to assist with patient coverage as needed. Work Schedule: Full-time | Monday to Friday | an 8-hour shift, variable tours. Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized 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) 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) Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 554-58714-0 | 554-58715-0 | 554-58716-0 | 554-58717-0 | 554-58718-0 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.