Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnographic)

Full Job Description

A Registered Polysomnographic Technologist works under the general supervision of the clinical director (M.D.) or designee to provide comprehensive evaluation and treatment of sleep disorders.

This may involve polysomnography, diagnostic and therapeutic services or patent care and education.

A Registered Polysomnographic Technologist can perform the duties defined for a Polysomnographic Technician and may provide oversight of other staff.

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.

For certain functional areas at the higher levels or supervisory assignments, specific certifications appropriate to the specialty are indicated in this standard under "Titles and Certification/Registrations".

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: GS-08 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 Certification. No certification or registration is required.

Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are also desirable for employees at this level.

Preferred Experience: VA Experience, sleep clinic outpatient, and/or medic. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-08. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Major Duties:

Performs procedures within the guidelines established by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and facility sleep program policies and procedures.

Collect, analyze and integrate patient information In order to identify and meet the patient-specific needs (Physical/mental limitations, current emotional/physiological status regarding the testing procedure, pertinent medical/social history), and to determine final testing parameters/procedures in conjunction with the ordering physician or clinical director and laboratory protocols.

Provides in-service to patients on instruction for care and usage of CPAP equipment.

Follow procedural protocols (such as Multiple Sleep latency Test (MSLT), Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT), parasomnia studies, PAP, oxygen titration etc.) to ensure collection of appropriate data.

Follow "lights out' procedures to establish and document baseline values (such as body position.

ox hemoglobin saturation, respiratory and heart rates, etc.) Work Schedule: Sunday / Monday / Tuesday: 1900 - 0600, Alternate Saturday 1800-0600 Telework: Ad-hoc telework may be available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized