Med Instr Tech (Polysomn)
Veterans Health Administration - Department of Veterans Affairs
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. CITIZENSHIP: Must Be U.S. Citizen. 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 VA Handbook 5005, Part II, chapter 2, section 5a. NOTE: 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). All persons employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: Such employees in an occupation that does not require a licensure/certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted, or demoted within the occupation. Such employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or demoted within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. Such employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure/certification/registration requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels. Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. If an employee who was retained in an occupation listed in 38 U.S.C. § 7401(3) under this provision leaves that occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. GRADE DETERMINATION (GS-8 FPL) In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the criteria discussed in the applicable headings, or that defined in the appendices, must be met when determining the grade of candidates. EXPERIENCE: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-7) 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 . All applicants should have a sound practical understanding of the daily activities associated with working within an outpatient clinic environment, rotating shift when required to meet the needs of the service (day/ night shift). Proficient in performing diagnostic sleep testing that includes; Baseline, Split/PAP, Baseline/ MSLT, proficiency in all sleep procedures performed (education, acquisition, scoring, setup, and downloading home sleep studies). Independently evaluate sleep related breathing disorders patients, titrate pressures, review compliance download data utilizing the following, software/Phillips care orchestrator and ResMed Airview and fit patients with appropriate interface devices to achieve the physicians’ therapeutic goals and initiating/ downloading home base portable sleep studies. Current BLS (Basic Life Support). 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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: DEMONSTRATED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: 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. PREFERRED (but not required) EXPERIENCE: (1) Maintains a current Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) card. (2) Knowledge of positive airway pressure (PAP) functions, set-up, and operation of different types of CPAPs and Bi-level PAPs. (3) Current state license as a Respiratory Therapist or as a Polysomnography Technologist (RPSGT). References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G27 (Appendix I) Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography)The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. Physical Requirements: All Medical Instrument Technicians 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
As part of the Health Care Team, the Sleep Technologist (Polysomnography) provides diagnostic and therapeutic Cardiopulmonary Care to the Veterans. Responsible in assisting Lead and Supervisor, Sleep Medicine Services to assure timely ordering, delivery and stocking of all parts and supplies required by Sleep Lab.