Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography) - PRN

Summary The Medical Instrument Technician - Polysomnography Technician - functions within the Sleep Disorders section of Medicine Service and is responsible for diagnostic testing - scoring - initiation & titration of patients with known or suspected sleep disorders. Qualifications 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 Licensure or Certification Licensure or Certification is not required for this occupation however - it is strongly desirable at GS-6 or above as evidence of possession of the essential knowledge - skills - and abilities English Language Proficiency Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f) 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) Grandfathering Provision The following is the standard grandfathering policy for all Title 38 Hybrid qualification standards Some of these provisions may not apply to this occupation Please carefully review the qualification standard to determine the specific education and/or licensure/certification/ registration requirements that apply to this occupation 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 Determinations: minimum requirement for GS-8 Level: Experience - You must have at least one year of experience comparable to the GS-7 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 more complex procedures as well as knowledge of the uncommon and/or rare sleep disorders Knowledge - skills and abilities applicable to the GS-7 grade level: 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 In addition - the candidate must demonstrate the following knowledge - skills and abilities applicable to the GS-8 grade level: 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 Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. Physical Requirements: Considerable walking/standing may be required Frequent lifting - positioning - pushing/pulling may be required when moving equipment or supplies or other infrequent needs Frequent - prolonged extensive or considerable sitting is often required Manual dexterity and mobility are required The work may require specific physical characteristics and abilities such as above-average dexterity to perform intricate respiratory therapy procedures Frequent reaching - stooping - bending - kneeling - or crouching may be necessary Moderate physical effort (ability to lift/carry up to 50 pounds) may be occasionally required Intermittent exertion is possible Subject to interruptions and stress from multiple calls - patient needs and/or inquiries from others - whether in-person - on the telephone or via computer Sound judgment and ability to function under stress is required Inappropriate actions/judgment - especially those during emergency or crisis situations - may result in injury or death. Duties Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Major Duties and Responsibilities: General Knowledge - Sleep Disorders Understands etiology - anatomy - pathology - diagnosis - and treatment of common sleep disordered breathing conditions Demonstrates knowledge of testing procedures used in the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders - including - but not limited to: in-lab and in-home overnight polysomnography testing - Multiple Sleep Latency Testing (MSLT) and positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy Identifies common patient surveys/questionnaires used in the screening process for sleep disorders - including the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) - the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and the STOP-BANG questionnaire Identifies limitations or common issues encountered with polysomnography testing & treatment initiation/titration These include - but are not limited to: claustrophobia - anxiety - those with cognitive barriers and insomnia Clinical Competence Identifies information that must be obtained prior to performing any diagnostic testing and/or therapeutic intervention - including: patient identification - sleep study history or other pertinent information Demonstrates ability to perform comprehensive patient assessment Identifies the indications - contraindications and hazards of frequently performed procedures - including: in-lab overnight polysomnography testing & scoring - in-home overnight testing & scoring - MSLT testing - application and titration of (CPAP) and (BiPAP) therapies - pulse oximetry & transcutaneous carbon dioxide monitoring Identifies critical information that must be communicated during testing and procedures #J-18808-Ljbffr Direct Jobs