Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography)

Description:

A Registered Polysomnographic Technologist works under the general supervision of the clinical director (M.D., D.O, or PhD) 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.

Requirements:

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.
• English Language Proficiency : Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English.

Grade Determinations :

In addition to the Basic Requirements candidates must meets the following Grade Requirements :

GS-7 GRADE REQUIREMENTS: Must have at least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-6) which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities related to the duties of the position. Experience includes: Independently conducting difficult but standardized polysomnography examinations. Performing a full range of standard, but complex, polysomnography examinations with responsibility for properly and accurately calibrating all instruments prior to the beginning of the PSG tracing and selection of appropriate electrode montages and sensitivity and filter settings to elicit the best possible tracings. Independently determine the need for CPAP during all night sleep studies for sleep apnea and administering nerve conduction velocity tests.

I n addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: - 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 GRADE REQUIREMENTS: Must have at least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-7) which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities related to the duties of the position. Experience includes: Providing complex procedures as well as knowledge of the uncommon and/or rare sleep disorders. Interacting fully with the patient and physician to diagnose sleep disorders including those that are uncommon or rare. Conducting full sleep studies including overnight studies and evaluate the relationship of events, sleep stages, and possible medical conditions which influence or result from events occurring during sleep. Anticipating problems likely to occur during the sleep study and prepare for such situations, make changes in established procedures, or recommend alternative courses of action.

In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: - 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 EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE :

• Successful completion of an accredited educational program; leading to an associate degree with an emphasis in polysomnography. OR
• Successful completion of a polysomnography program of no less than one year duration associated with a state licensed and/or a nationally accredited educational facility or equivalent experience and documented proficiency at all competencies required of a Sleep Technician

PREFERRED CERTIFICATION:

• Certification by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists as a Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT)
  • RPSGT needs to be with the NC Board of Medicine, Even though the VA is not required to register with the State, to be employed in North Carolina it is required.
• Current Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and or Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications.

Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as standing or walking for prolonged periods of time; frequent bending, reaching, stooping, and stretching to set up and take apart equipment and apparatus; lifting and repositioning patients; and pushing or pulling heavy objects such as oxygen tanks and/or equipment. The work may require specific physical characteristics and abilities such as above-average dexterity to perform intricate respiratory therapy procedures.

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).

References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G27, Medical Instrument Technician.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08.