Job opening: Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography)
Salary: $70 674 - 91 873 per year
Published at: Aug 21 2023
Employment Type: Full-time
Medical Instrument Technicians (Polysomnography) at the GS-9 level, under the supervision of the Pulmonary Section Chief will serve as a senior sleep technician and/or lead and will assist in scheduling, preparing, collecting, monitoring and assessing complex biological electroencephalographic and pulmonary data for multiple specific difficult polysomnographic procedures.
Duties
The polysomnography technician should be able to perform many of the following:
Perform a variety of polysomnographic studies in the sleep laboratory; routine polysomnogram, PAP titration studies including CPAP, Bi-level, specialized positive airway pressure technologies (including but not limited to servoventilation, volume assured pressure support and timed devices), Home sleep testing.
Perform procedural protocols on additional studies such as multiple sleep latency testing (MSLT) and maintenance of wakefulness testing (MWT)
Remove and sterilize electrodes and sensors at completion of study
Take a leading role when working staff to answer questions or help trouble shoot equipment issues and will work with the technical supervisor on staff education and training.
Responsible for education of veterans and family members, as well as, following all technical and hospital, federal and state regulations of the AASM, JCAHO, BRPT, and the AAST.
High level of understanding of high and low filters, sensitivities, gain, AC/DC filters and inputs, bio-calibrations, machine calibrations, and instrumentation and electrical safety.
Multi-task, work independently, and work well with other staff members.
May assist with education at outlying facilities
Work with and mentor less experienced staff members in order to assist them in becoming proficient in polysomnogram scoring.
Manually scoring of sleep studies. Score sleep/wake stages and scoring clinical events by sure accepted guidelines. Ensure accurate reporting of sleep/wake and clinical events.
Conduct all phases of home (portable) sleep studies. Demonstrate the knowledge and skill required for portable/out-of-center sleep testing.
Provide accurate, legible and complete documentation of patient care delivered and response to therapy.
Responsible for monitoring compliance within the PAP clinic area, monitoring outcomes, and development of policies and procedures.
Work Schedule: Full-time. Monday-Friday, 8:00AM-430PM, 12PM-10:30PM, 9:00PM-730AM, 10:00PM-6:00AM or similar (4 10 hour shifts, etc.) Three Shifts rotation, day, swing, and night shift, Monday-Friday.
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
Requirements
- 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).
Qualifications
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. See the grade requirements part of this standard for information regarding educational substitutions.
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
GS-9
Experience: At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level, which is directly related to the duties of the position to be filled, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level. This would be experience which demonstrates possession of the knowledge required to provide all aspects of polysomnography services.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk. KSAs 1, 2, and 3 are appropriate for all positions at this level. KSAs 4 and 5 are to be used in accordance with their appropriateness for the specific assignment.
Knowledge of the more complex examination and treatment procedures and techniques in order to provide training and supervision in these procedures, to evaluate and initiate performance improvement projects, and to write policies, procedures, and protocols, that pertain to Polysomnography.
*Knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements.
Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels.
*Ability to manage and supervise employees.
*Ability to provide, or provide for, staff development and training.
Certification. Registration by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) is highly desirable. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are also desirable for employees at this level.
Assignments. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time.
References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/15 PART II APPENDIX G27
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-09. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-09.
Physical requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
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.
Contacts
- Address Palo Alto VA Medical Center
3801 Miranda Avenue
Palo Alto, CA 94304
US
- Name: Timothy McBrian
- Email: [email protected]
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