Medical Instrument Technician - Polysomnography

The incumbent performs as a polysomnography technologist. They maintain state‑of‑the‑art quality in the principles, practices, and procedures associated with Sleep Disorders Medicine and conduct a variety of routine and complex sleep studies for VA patients at the Washington DC VA Medical Center’s sleep lab. Applicants pending 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 be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g. Education : 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 for information regarding educational substitutions. Licensure or Certification : Not required, but strongly desirable at GS‑6 or above as evidence of possession of essential knowledge, skills, and abilities. For certain functional areas at higher levels or supervisory assignments, specific certifications appropriate to the specialty are indicated in this standard under “Titles and Certification/Registrations”. Physical Requirements : Must be able to stand, bend, stoop, sit, pull, and push patients; perform gross and fine coordinated hand movements. English Language Proficiency : Must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a. Grade Determinations – Medical Instrument Technician – Polysomnography – GS‑8 Experience : At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level demonstrating knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to knowledge of more complex procedures and uncommon/rare sleep disorders. Certification : No certification required. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications desirable. Assignment : The technician fully interacts with patients and physicians to diagnose uncommon or rare sleep disorders, conducts full sleep studies including overnight studies, evaluates relationships of events, sleep stages, and possible medical conditions, anticipates problems during studies, prepares for such situations, makes changes in procedures, recommends alternatives, and mentors lower‑graded technicians. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Advanced knowledge of the International Classification of Sleep Disorders and 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) and ability to take appropriate action. Ability to provide briefings and orientation to hospital staff including physicians. Best Qualified Applications Strong experience in conducting and scoring all types of sleep studies, including diagnostic polysomnography, CPAP/BiPAP/ASV/Inspirar titrations, MSLT/MWT. Strong experience in CPAP set‑ups, education, compliance downloads, troubleshooting machine issues, mask fittings, and ability to work with patients to improve CPAP adherence. Effective communication with supervisors, team members, administrative staff, and patients both verbally and in computer‑based programs. Teamwork skills. Preferred Experience Experience as an independent polysomnography technician with management of patients on CPAP and troubleshooting. Ability to score sleep studies also requested. For more information on this qualification standard, please visit The full performance level of this vacancy is GS‑08. #J-18808-Ljbffr