This job opportunity announcement (JOA) will be used to fill Two (2) Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography) vacancy in the Specialty Service located within the Montana VA Health Care System at the Fort Harrison VA Medical Center in Fort Harrison, MT. **This position has been authorized a Recruitment or Relocation Incentive for Highly Qualified Candidates** ***This announcement has been extended to 9/29/2023*** To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 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. Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English. No person will be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C. chapter 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English. Preferred Experience: Registration by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) Preferred Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) Certification is desirable Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Certification is desirable Grade Determinations: 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: Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Knowledge of standard, computerized polysomnography 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 polysomnographic 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. 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. This would be experience which provided the individual with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to independently conduct difficult but standardized polysomnography examinations. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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. 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 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. References: VA Handbook 5005-15, Part II, Appendix G27 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-6 to GS-8. Physical Requirements: Able to meet the physical demands for the position, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Must have a good manual dexterity. Must be able to express or exchange ideas by means of spoken or written word. Must be able to view and read information on computer screens. ["The primary duty of the Polysomnography Technician is to independently monitor patients during all stages of sleep utilizing a variety of sophisticated recording devices as well as scoring and analyzing sleep stages in clinical polysomnographic recordings. The Polysomnography Technician summarizes and prepares reports of polysomnographic data. The Polysomnography Technician anticipates problems likely to occur during the sleep study and prepares for such situations, makes changes in established procedures, or recommends alternative courses of action. The Polysomnography Technician is knowledgeable in more complex procedures as well as uncommon and/or rare sleep disorders. Duties include, but are not limited to: Responsible for reviewing patient history as it relates to sleep disorders and other medical conditions which may affect the diagnosis of sleep disorders. He/she is responsible for explaining the various procedures to the patient. Independently performs the following tests or procedures as assigned: diagnostic PSG, titration PSG, Split-night PSG, MSLT, MWT, HST, Oximetry, and actigraphy. Independently performs sleep monitoring on individuals with possible sleep apnea or other breathing related sleep disorders and/or arterial desaturations secondary to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or other medical conditions. Independently performs sleep monitoring on individuals with other potential sleep disorders including, but not limited to, narcolepsy and periodic limb movement disorder. Independently applies continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) and other advanced modalities to appropriate levels per established protocols. Applies oxygen therapy as needed per established protocols. Responsible for the safe and proper operation of all equipment used in the Sleep Center. Verifies correct instrument calibration and operation using established procedures. Identifies the cause of common problems and notifies engineering service when appropriate. Obtains technical or factory assistance in order to fully utilize the equipment to its full potential. Accurately scores sleep studies, MSLTs, MWTs, HSTs, and prepares reports when assigned. Assists with CPAP clinic for equipment initiation and instruction, follow-up, and compliance monitoring when assigned. Utilizes sleep software Provides patient education during the performance of sleep studies, when assisting with CPAP clinic, and may assist with sleep education classes. Assists with covering the office/telephones in the absence of the MSA and secretary when assigned. Is skilled in utilizing computer databases and word processing in the preparation of reports utilizing Microsoft Word and Excel when assigned. Keeps inventory of supplies and initiates purchase requests in a timely fashion to avoid disruption of scheduled studies when assigned. Interacts with staff physicians regarding the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders and may provide briefings and orientation to hospital staff including physicians. Assists with maintaining department spread sheets for department performance measures. Work Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week. The incumbent will normally work a compressed work schedule up to 12 hours per shift, however, may be adjusted to work alternate shifts for coverage. This position is being filled for the night shift, however, may vary to cover absences in other shifts. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
