Summary This position is located at the Clement J. Zablocki VAMC in Milwaukee, WI the primary purpose of the Registered Respiratory Therapist (Polysomnography) position is to independently monitor patients during all stages of sleep utilizing a variety of sophisticated recording devices, score and analyze sleep stages in clinical polysomnographic (PSG) recordings, and perform interventions, such as positive airway pressure and oxygen therapies. Responsibilities The primary Duties of the GS 12 Registered Respiratory Therapist (Polysomnography) include, but are not limited to: Under the supervision of the pulmonary and sleep providers, conducts initial screening of patients referred for evaluation. Develops and implements an individualized plan of care for each patient and assures that the patient is involved in decisions affecting the care provided. Provides education to patients/families/care providers relating to the diagnosis and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea. Provides instruction to patients/families/caregivers on use and maintenance of home respiratory equipment. Assures that a thorough and accurate home respiratory prescription is entered in Computer systems in a timely manner. Assures appropriate and timely follow up when concerns or issues are raised. Sets-up diagnostic studies. This includes activities such as applying electrodes and various monitors to multiple body sites per protocol. Cleans and assembles equipment. Evaluates the relationship of events, sleep stages and possible medical conditions which influence or result from events occurring during sleep. Anticipate problems likely to occur during the sleep study, prepares for such situations and makes changes in established procedures. Obtain data measuring wake, sleep and breathing states and records various signals from the brain and airways, cardiac rate, oxygen saturation and position to enable the physician to assess and diagnose sleep and breathing disorders. Troubleshoot and calibrate polysomnography, computer, oximeters, movement monitors and patient electrodes prior to the onset of each recording. Analyze and score patient data and summarize on report for physician interpretation. Monitor and initiate interventions for complications of testing and determine whether patient meets criteria for termination of testing. Perform electroencephalogram and home sleep testing and evaluate results. Orders and maintains an adequate number of supplies. Acquires new knowledge and skills as necessary relevant to sleep disorders and home respiratory care. Assures information exchange with colleagues is open and constructive. Consistently participates in information exchange via E-mail, informal discussions and planned meetings. Shares information with the program team and provides information in writing to Sleep Services; Chief of Respiratory Care or to the Medical Director for Sleep Medicine, when indicated. Stays current with the hospital's mission in general and particularly where it touches Respiratory Care Services and the Sleep/PAP program. Provides additional services and performs other duties as needs are identified within the MVHCS, Sleep/PAP clinic and Respiratory Care Services. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Full Time 80 Hours a Pay Period Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. 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). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. 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. 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: RRTs appointed to direct patient-care positions must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). Education: Individuals must have successfully completed a respiratory care program accredited by the CoARC or its successor. Licensure: Persons appointed or reassigned to RRT positions in the GS-0601 series must possess and maintain for the duration of employment a full, current and unrestricted license from a state to practice as an RRT. Credential: Persons appointed or reassigned to RRT positions in the GS-0601 series must possess and maintain for the duration of employment a valid, current, unrestricted credential of RRT. 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). In addition, candidates must meet the following Grade Determinate: GS-12 Registered Respiratory Therapist (Polysomnography) Experience, Licensure and Credential. Candidates must have: One year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level. Hold an active license and RRT credential. Certification. Candidates must hold a RPSGT. In addition to the requirements above, candidates must demonstrate all the following KSAs: Skill in performing polysomnographic studies to include obtaining both physiologic and diagnostic data. Skill in calibrating and troubleshooting polysomnographic equipment. Skill in monitoring both physiologic and diagnostic parameters. Skill in scoring data both during and post diagnostic testing. Skill in analyzing data both during and post diagnostic testing. Skill in preparing output for physician interpretation of data obtained both during and post diagnostic testing. Skill in the assessment of oxygenation, ventilation and adverse responses. 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 12 Physical Requirements: The work involves regular and recurring physical exertion, such as standing for long periods of time, use of microscopes, some lifting loading and unloading reagent packs, sitting at desk, counter, or bench top with operations of the computer terminals, telephones, and various workstations associated with the respective instrumentations in use. 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 During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. 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. 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. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
