Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography)

Summary
The primary duty of the Polysomnography Technician is to independently monitor patients during all stages of sleep utilizing a variety of sophisticated recording devices. This technician is a key individual in the study of sleep-related disorders and various physiological changes that occur during sleep. At this level, the Polysomnography Technician performs a full range of standard, routine examinations including overnight sleep studies.
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Overview
* Accepting applications
* Open & closing dates
02/22/2024 to 05/22/2024
* Salary
$35,373 - $70,578 per year
* Pay scale & grade
GS 4 - 8
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Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
* Helena, MT
* Remote job
No
* Telework eligible
No
* Travel Required
Not required
* Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
* Appointment type
Permanent -
* Work schedule
Full-time -
* Service
Excepted
* Promotion potential
8
* Job family (Series)
0649 Medical Instrument Technician
* Supervisory status
No
* Security clearance
Other
* Drug test
Yes
* Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
* Trust determination process
Credentialing
Suitability/Fitness
* Announcement number
CBSU-******** VE
* Control number
********
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This job is open to
* The public
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Clarification from the agency
This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until May 22, 2024. Initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be 03/14/2024, with subsequent cut-off dates on the 1st of each month. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals. This announcement is opened to the public. All current internal VA or other Federal Employees should apply under announcement number CBSU-******** VE.
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Duties
Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf
* 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 sleep monitoring (polysomnography) on individuals with possible sleep apnea 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) 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.
* Must be able to recognize sleep onset during nap opportunities.
* Scores sleep studies and prepares reports.
* Independently performs Home Sleep Testing(HST) procedures, scores, and prepares HSAT reports
* Is skilled in utilizing computer databases and word processing in the preparation of reports as assigned.
* Stays abreast of technological developments related, but not limited to, polysomnographic technology.
* Has a working knowledge of sleep software: Sleepware G3, Somnoware, Noxturnal, nVision, Care Orchestrator, AirView, and Actiware.
* Assists with nocturnal oximetry and Actigraphy programs.
* Keeps inventory of supplies and initiates purchase requests in a timely fashion to avoid disruption of scheduled studies.
* Interacts with staff physicians regarding the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders and may provide briefings and orientation to hospital staff including physicians.
* Provides patient education during the performance of sleep studies, and may assist with sleep education classes.
* Assists with scheduling of sleep studies when needed.
* Assists with maintaining department spread sheets for department performance measures.
* Assists with providing sleep study results to patients.
* Assists with MD/PA sleep clinics as needed.
* Mentors lower graded technicians.
* Willingness to attend courses in sleep related subject matter.
* Maintains current BLS course completion card, and ACLS is desirable.
* Other duties as assigned.
Work Schedule: Primarily nights, 12 hour shifts, ******** .
Current schedule is weekends Thursday-Sunday.
Monday-Friday ******** is for the first couple of weeks.
Schedules change depending on needs of the department.
Relocation Incentive: Authorized
Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of existing pay, higher or unique qualifications, or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade).
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)
Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior [work experience] or military service experience.
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)
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: ******** A
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
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Requirements
Conditions of Employment
* You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
* All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
* Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
* Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
* You may be required to serve a probationary period.
* Subject to background/security investigation.
* Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
* Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
* Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.
Qualifications
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.
* 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.
Grade Determinations:
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.
In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
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.
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.
In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
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.
* Ability to perform standard operator maintenance on the equipment including the ability to disassemble, clean, reassemble, and calibrate the machine.
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.
Certification. No certification or registration is required. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification is desirable.
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.
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: Experience as a sleep technologist. RPSGT license preferred.
References: Title 38 or Hybrid Title 38 Occupation official qualification standards of the position as stated in VA Handbook 5005, Part 11, Appendix G27.
The full performance level of this vacancy is 8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 4 to 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.
Education
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
Additional information
Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.
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* Benefits
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.
It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.
Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

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