The polysomnography technician (PSGT) will perform all sleep-related procedures within scope of practice by the board of registered polysomnographic technologists (BRPT). PLEASE REVIEW "KSA" CAREFULLY AND USE SIMILAR WORDING IN YOUR RESUME TO REFLECT YOUR OWN KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS!! 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. 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. Registration is offered by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT). For all specialties identified in this standard, Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications are desirable. Training which does not result in official certification does not meet this definition. 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. Grade Determinations: GS-4 Medical Instrument Technician (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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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 (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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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: 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. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:(b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 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 polysmnographic 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-7 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 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. GS-8 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 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 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. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/15 PART II APPENDIX G27 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-04 to GS-08 . Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. This position requires to undergo a pre-employment medical examination/physical, TB test and other related other medical related requirements. ["The Daytime sleep technician will perform all sleep-related procedures within scope of practice for the position. PLEASE REVIEW \"KSA\" CAREFULLY AND USE SIMILAR WORDING IN YOUR RESUME TO REFLECT YOUR OWN KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS!! Major duties include, but are not limited to the following: - Ambulatory/Portable Home Sleep Apnea Study. Setting up patient with monitors to record multiple respiration parameters for diagnosing sleep apnea with nasal and oral airflow, respiratory effort, body position, oximetry, and snoring. Validate recording succeeded. Download and electronically transfer for scoring and processing. - Educate patients and caregivers about sleep-disordered breathing and how portable sleep studies can identify sleep apnea -Scoring: The technician will score portable and/or attended sleep studies prior to specialist review; and alert specialist of critical findings. Creates sleep study report for specialist's review. Scan results documents into patient chart. - Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) portable at-home titration. This includes selecting and fitting patient with appropriate interface devices. Demonstrate how to use masks and equipment to assure appropriate function. Instructs patients and their significant other or caregiver in BiPAP/CPAP set-ups for overnight portable sleep testing, ensure full understanding of the procedure and function of PAP unit. Provides patient supplies including filters, hoses, masks, chinstraps, and headgear for home PAP testing. Able to identify indications, complications, and contraindications of CPAP therapy. Able to complete titration with interface between sleep recorder and CPAP for extensive titration. Able to interface PAP with home oximetry monitor for follow-up evaluation of efficacy. Receives posttest BiPAP/CPAP units and downloads sleep data via smartcard, submit to licensed Sleep provider for review. Create electronic chart note that documents a summary of posttest download data for specialist review. - CPAP/ DME Clinic. Able to independently program, set-up and adjust settings on PAP equipment based on prescription, working with a variety of brands and types of PAP (CPAP, BiPAP, ASV, AVAPS and others). Demonstrate to patient how to use, clean, and maintain masks and equipment to assure proper function and extended use. Troubleshoot machine and/or mask to determine patient barriers to use and correct them. Downloads data and creates electronic chart documentation of download results. Takes appropriate immediate action based on download results including correcting leaks and minor pressure adjustments. - Positive Airway Pressure data monitoring: Includes downloading, charting, evaluation and appropriate action-taking of PAP adherence and efficacy data from PAP machines, SD cards, modems or other technology as needed. Work Schedule Monday-Friday, 08:00 to 016:30 Rotating Shift: No On-Call: No Required Weekends: No Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Title/Functional Statement #:Med Inst Tech(Sleep Tech)/PD01084-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
About Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
