Summary Polysomnographic Technician can interact fully with the patient and physician to diagnose sleep disorders including those that are uncommon or rare. They can conduct 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. T Responsibilities The Medical Instrument Technician(Polysomnography), Home Sleep Testing(HST) technician(MIT) duties are: Scan patient's health records of common and complicated medical conditions pertinent to the performance of sleep testing procedures Explain the procedure to patients to insure patient comfort for optional recording of sleep studies Anticipates and corrects patient discomfort, mechanical and electrical interface( artifacts) Scans/examine environment of recording to detect and eliminate possible sources if artifacts in order to preserve integrity of recording. Recognize patient movements and diagnostic findings and makes changes in recording techniques and parameters to optimize display of the phenomenon in question Performs patients physical assessments related to sleep disorders, including mask fittings and adjustments, etc. Conducts patient setups, calibration and acquisition performance verification: performs pre and post-test calibrations Able to perform monitoring of multiple physiological data throughout the specific tests conducted Troubleshoot polysomnographic recording equipment Identifies and treats appropriately sleep related breathing disorders Integrates polysomnographic data into patient care by coordinating care with other functional areas of the Sleep Center, such as CPAP Clinic and Sleep Clinics Provide patient instructions and education Recognizes the need for me medical intervention if patient safety at risk Removes and sterilizes electrodes and sensors at completion of study; as needed; orders necessary supplies and equipment for the Sleep Lab etc. Able to perform timely sleep staging of the sleep studies according to the latest professional standards and specific VA Sleep Lab protocols, generates reports for physician interpretations , assists physicians and trainees in insuring quality standards of the sleep reports are maintained. Documents all data in CPRS as needed, including the data generated through acquisition and scoring Evaluates the validity of data in relation to the testing system and accepted procedures. Correlates quantitative data with patient data(i.e history, medications, card downloads, ect) to verify results Performs additional tests to clarify or confirm abnormal patient results. Recognizes abnormal results that require immediate attention by the physician and reports them directly. Utilizes proficiently CPRS, VISTA, VISTA Web/ Vista Imagining , sleep software and remote data capabilities to view and retrieve information on patients evaluated in the Sleep Lab or with HST Makes appropriate phone calls and uses appropriate communication means(e.g. faxes) to obtain data from non-VA sources, documents the interaction and makes the documentation available to the providers and medical records department. Understands oximetry readings for the purpose of reporting physiological findings as related to sleep disorders and ensure the appropriate interface between PAP and supplemental oxygen is used and explained to patients. Explain to the patients the functionality of HST devices, how to have them attached and turned on/off, retrieves the equipment and becomes proficient in downloading and scoring of data from the HST and is able to generate specific HST reports Advanced knowledge of complex and non-standard treatment and examination procedures and technicians Advanced knowledge of the servo-ventilation and of special home ventilation devices for initiation, troubleshooting, and therapy of patients with various conditions Advanced knowledge of sleep scoring rules, portable or home sleep testing(HST) equipment and technologies, in-lab and /or ambulatory sleep study report. Shows knowledge of Joint Commission(JC) and American of Sleep Medicine( AASM) regulatory requirements and standards; assist in the process of JC and or/ AASM accreditation process as needed. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels; At least 1 year of experience in the field polysomnography Must be reliable, able to work independently and be self-motivated The Polysomnography MIT is responsible for performing job duties in accordance with mission, vision, and values of VAMC-Atlanta 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. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). 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. Education may be substituted for experience only at the GS-4 and GS-5 levels. 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. Training which does not result in official certification does not meet this definition. English Language Proficiency: Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English. 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-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 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. 5. Extensive knowledge of positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy, adjusting PAP settings, mask fitting, downloading, and troubleshooting PAP equipment. 6. Ability to educate patients on the care, use, maintenance of and assess response to PAP equipment. 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. Assignment. This represents the full performance level. At this level Polysomnographic Technicians are able to interact fully with the patient and physician to diagnose sleep disorders including those that are uncommon or rare. They are able to conduct 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. They anticipate problems likely to occur during the sleep study and prepare for such situations, make changes in established procedures, or recommend alternative courses of action. They are able to mentor lower graded technicians. References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II Appendix G27 Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography)The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. Physical Requirements: This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing; clear, distinctive speech; and manual dexterity. The position requires potentially long periods of continued sitting, telephone and computer usage, walking, standing, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing. Transferring of equipment/objects may be required. 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. 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.
