Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography)

Full Job Description

The Tibor Rubin VA Medical Center is recruiting for a Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography) assigned to work in Acute Care, Nursing Service.

The Polysomnographer conducts sleep study procedures that include patient hookup, sleep screening tests and polysomnograms (night sleep tests).

Conducts multiple sleep latency tests (day sleep tests), analysis, sleep staging, record setting up, operating, and troubleshooting diagnostic equipment during on site testing.

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.

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.

Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support certifications are desirable.

English Language Proficiency: Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a.

Grade Determinations GS-9 Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography) In addition to the core competencies defined at the GS-8 level, positions at this grade may be lead, supervisory, or non-supervisory with specialized advanced knowledge and assignments.

Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level, which is directly related to the duties of the position to be filled, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level.

This would be experience which demonstrates possession of the knowledge required to provide all aspects of polysomnography services.

In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

KSAs 1, 2, and 3 are appropriate for all positions at this level. KSAs 4 and 5 are to be used in accordance with their appropriateness for the specific assignment. 1.

Knowledge of the more complex examination and treatment procedures and techniques in order to provide training and supervision in these procedures, to evaluate and initiate performance improvement projects, and to write policies, procedures, and protocols, that pertain to Polysomnography.

*2. Knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements. 3. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels. *4. Ability to manage and supervise employees.

*5. Ability to provide, or provide for, staff development and training. Certification. Registration by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) is highly desirable.

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

For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time.

Preferred Experience: Experience working in a sleep and CPAP lab.

References: VA Handbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G27, Medical Instrument Technician Qualification Standard, GS-649, Veterans Health Administration, dated June 7, 2012.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. Major Duties:

Duties include but are not limited to: - 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 home sleep study devices, 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 for in lab and home sleep studies.

- Comprehension of medical terminology and medical record organization to review medical record, sleep study orders, consent forms, medical charts, etc.

- Mastery of polysomnographic procedural protocols (including overnight sleep studies, MSLT, MWT, PAP, etc.) - Comprehension of basic anatomy and physiology and the international 10-20 electrode placement system in order to conduct the sleep studies.

- Knowledge of CPAP function and operation to select and fit appropriate PAP patient interface devices. -Capacity to independently titrate and document PAP level to achieve therapeutic goals.

- Expertise 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.

- Advanced knowledge of 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. - Comprehension of event characteristics (e.g.

respiratory, cardiac, sleep stage, seizures, etc.) and ability to take appropriate action. -Capacity to train veterans how to use home sleep testing devices, clean, store and keep track of devices.

Work Schedule: 7:30am to 6:00pm; Tuesday thru Friday. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Financial Disclosure Report: Not required