This job opportunity announcement (JOA) will be used to fill Two (2) Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography) vacancy in the Specialty Service located within the VA Health Care System at the Corporal Michael J Crescenz Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, Pa.

Duties

The primary duty of the Polysomnography Technologist is to independently monitor patients during all stages of sleep utilizing a variety of sophisticated recording devices as well as scoring and analyzing sleep stages in clinical polysomnographic recordings. The Polysomnography Technologist summarizes and prepares reports of polysomnographic data. The Polysomnography Technologist anticipates problems likely to occur during the sleep study and prepares for such situations, makes changes in established procedures, or recommends alternative courses of action. The Polysomnography Technologist is knowledgeable in more complex procedures as well as uncommon and/or rare sleep disorders. Duties include, but are not limited to:

Requirements

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENTS Citizenship: Citizenship of the United States (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. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) are desirable. English Language Proficiency: Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English. Grade Determinations: Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnogram), GS-8 (Full Performance Level)Preferred Experience: Minimum 36 months of clinical sleep experience with successful completion registry for PSG Technologist. Registration by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) Preferred Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) Certification is preferred Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) Certification is desirable References: VA Handbook 5005-15, Part II, Appendix G27 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 8 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. 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. References: VA Handbook 5005-15, Part II, Appendix G27 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-6 to GS-8. Physical Requirements: The position requires extensive sitting for shifts 8-13.5 hours in length. On a shift basis it is required to set-up patients with monitoring equipment and requires some reaching and bending. Must assist patients in and out of beds, litters, and wheelchairs as well as transport patients via wheelchair. Many patients having sleep studies are obese.

Education

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

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.

Contacts

• Address Corporal Michael J Crescenz Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 3900 Woodland Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19104 US
• Name: Tina Otteni
• Phone: (814) 860-2764
• Email: [email protected]