Summary

To serve in a developmental role - the Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography) or Polysomnography Technician in the Sleep Lab is responsible for operating electroencephalographs and other specialized equipment to monitor and record brain activity during sleep. Trainees at the GS-4 and GS-5 levels in the Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography) position work under the technical and administrative supervision of the Sleep/PAP Supervisor.

Qualifications

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
• Education/Training
• To be creditable education must have been gained in an accredited Community College - College - or University
• Training
• Completion of appropriate training such as in-service training programs - on the job training - training acquired while in the Armed Forces - government sponsored developmental training programs - and/or training under physicians certified in the functional area will be allowed on a month-for- month basis through the GS-5 level
• Foreign Education: To be creditable - education completed outside the U.S. must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. programs
• Specialized developmental experience obtained under supervision of appropriately certified individuals may be credited at higher levels and is addressed in individual appendices
• 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
• 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• GS-4 Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography)(Trainee) Experience
• At least 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 months of this experience may have been in medically related fields such as nursing assistant - practical nursing - or similar fields
• The remaining six 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 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
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities Knowledge of basic medical terminology
• Ability to learn the components - operating characteristics - and settings of the equipment to be used
• Ability to learn typical patient reactions to the basic procedures involved and ability to recognize signs of distress
• Ability to learn the standard positions for the procedure being conducted
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing
• GS-5 Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography)(Trainee) Experience
• At least 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 [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
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities Knowledge of standard medical terminology to interpret physician orders or instructions
• Knowledge of common physical disabilities and ability to position patients for the examination or treatment
• Ability to learn the normal and abnormal results for routine procedures to recognize and report obvious abnormalities
• Ability to operate the equipment to administer routine/standard diagnostic treatment or procedures
• Ability to perform standard operator maintenance on the equipment including the ability to disassemble - clean - reassemble - and calibrate the machine
• GS-6 Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography) Experience
• At least 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
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities Knowledge of standard - computerized polysomnographs for recording continuous all night physiological data including EEG - EOG - EKG - EMG and respiratory parameters
• 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
• Knowledge of medical terminology and medical record organization to review medical records - sleep study orders - consent forms - medical charts - etc
• Knowledge of polysmnographic procedural protocols (including overnight sleep studies - MSLT - MWT - PAP - etc.)
• Knowledge of basic anatomy and physiology and the international 10-20 electrode placement system in order to conduct the sleep studies
• Certification
• No certification or registration is required at this level
• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification is desirable.GS-7 Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography) Experience
• At least 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 the individual with the knowledge - skills - and abilities to independently conduct difficult but standardized polysomnography examinations
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities 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
• 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
• No certification or registration is required
• Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification is desirable
• Continued on to Education Section.

Duties

• Functions/Duties:Trainees at the GS-4 and GS-5 levels in the Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography) The MIT will serve both internal and external customers
• This includes patients - family members - physicians - licensed independent practitioners - nurses - volunteers - allied health professionals and all VA employees
• The incumbent will provide customers with consistent information according to established policies and procedures
• Maintains and monitors all necessary supplies stocked and available in the event of an emergent procedure
• Ensures proper cleaning and performs minor adjustments and maintenance
• Uses a practical knowledge of location and function of major body organs and structures in order to position the patient and/or connect monitoring equipment to take optimum advantage of equipment capabilities
• Sets up all necessary accessories or supplies To perform in a developmental capacity - GS-6 thru GS-8Functions/Duties: Coordinates the scheduling of the patient's initial evaluation and primary sleep diagnostic testing
• Part of this evaluation includes the use of questionnaires relevant to the patient subjective data
• Utilizes the notes from Sleep Clinic initial work-up evaluation to determine the appropriate recording montage for patients
• This includes the development and maintenance of appropriate protocols - participating in the initial patient evaluation and post procedure discussions with patients
• Ensures that the patient has an understanding of their particular disorder as well as the corresponding diagnostic and treatment procedures that will follow
• Performance of Studies and Quality Control Must be capable of performing all studies of the sleep laboratory
• Also Polysomnographic technologist must be BCLS certified in the event of patient arrest
• Responsible for a working knowledge of the quality improvement program for the sleep lab
• This includes the Quality control set for the following: laboratory - analysis of all polysomnographic data - scoring of sleep stages and respiratory events - oximetry - EMG - EKG - and EOG parameters
• Responsible for having a working knowledge the operating and training manual for the sleep lab
• All procedures and policies in this manual will comply with VA regulations and will be in concordance with the Association of Sleep Disorder Centers for Accreditation Guidelines for polysomnographic testing
• Performs or supervises routine housekeeping duties to assure that the sleep lab area is clean and sanitary
• This is done so that when sterile procedures are required in the sleep lab area
• there is minimal possibility of cross contamination due to unsanitary conditions
• The incumbent must be aware of and practice the safety policies/procedures of the medical center - and participate in quality assurance activities as directed
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00pm - 8:00am Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized 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) Telework: Available - Ad hoc per supervisor's approval
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #:00000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized