Medical Instrument Technician ( Polysomnography)

Full Job Description

The Medical Instrument Technician (MIT) Polysomnography serves as a member of the Respiratory Therapy Section of Specialty Care Service at the Oklahoma City VA Healthcare System.

The Polysomnography subsection is responsible for providing the full range of services related to Sleep Lab testing in the inpatient and outpatient setting.

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.

Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Be a Citizen of the United States.

Education: There are no specific educational requirements for this position.

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".

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: Candidate must be proficient in spoken and written English.

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the criteria discussed in the applicable headings, or that defined in the appendices, must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

For individuals at the GS-4 and GS-5 levels, the approved title will be Medical Instrument Technician (Trainee). MIT (Trainee), GS-4 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. MIT(Trainee), GS-5 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.

Perform standard operator maintenance on the equipment including the ability to disassemble, clean, reassemble, and calibrate the machine. MIT- Polysomnography, 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 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. MIT- Polysomnography- 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. MIT-Polysomnography- 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.

Preferred Experience: Sleep Lab Experience 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-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-4 to GS-8.

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

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Appropriately prepares patient for procedure using standardized aseptic technique with moderate supervision.

Provides an assessment of the patient's condition throughout the patient's stay in the Sleep Lab and responds appropriately when a patient's condition falls below the baseline assessment of what is considered to be stable.

Assures that the required equipment is carefully selected and properly presented as determined by the procedure being performed.

Performs quality checks to ensure readiness for use during the procedure under close supervision.

Assists higher grade MIT Polysomnography staff members with quality control/record keeping systems to assure the accuracy and validity of results.

Will ensure that all equipment is kept clean and safe for use in procedures. Reports preventative maintenance needs to full performance level MIT Polysomnography staff members.

Makes minor adjustments to equipment which enhances diagnostic results under moderate supervision. Maintains and monitors all necessary supplies stocked and available in the event of an emergency.

Performs the full range of complex procedures using specialized equipment that requires precise adjustments to respond to individual patient conditions or test sequences under close supervision.

Uses a practical knowledge of location and function of major body organs and structures in to position the patient and/or connect monitoring equipment to take optimum advantage of equipment capabilities.

Ensures patient comfort and proper function of applied electrodes and transducers.

Under moderate supervision, monitors patient, diagnostic equipment, recording and video equipment throughout the study; obtains artifact-free data and tracings; records significant observations such as sleep stage, heart rate, respiration rate, oxygen saturation level, body position; presence and/or absence of sleep apnea, snoring, myoclonus, bruxism, cardiac arrhythmias, sleep terrors.

Responds appropriately to all situations involving patient care and maintains proper oxygen and CPAP settings.

Recognize, report, and take action with events such as respiratory arrest, cardiac arrest, seizures, etc.

Work Schedule: Full-time, Two shifts per week - 7:00pm - 8:30am, One shift per week - 7:00pm - 8:00am Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases.

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) 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) Functional Statement #: : 60687-A, 60688-A, 60689-A, 60690-A, 60691-A