The technician independently operates and monitors neurodiagnostic equipment in the Integrated Sleep Disorders Center at the Richmond VAMC. The technician performs a full range of standard, but complex examinations including overnight sleep studies, MSLT (multiple sleep latency tests), and PAP (positive airway pressure).

Duties

The technician independently operates and monitors neurodiagnostic equipment in the Integrated Sleep Disorders Center Richmond VAMC, VISN 6. The technician performs a full range of standard, but complex examinations including overnight sleep studies, MSLT (multiple sleep latency tests), and PAP (positive airway pressure). They are responsible for properly and accurately calibrating all instruments prior to PSG tracings. Following laboratory protocol, they independently determine the need for CPAP therapy. Technicians at this level will provide briefings and orientation about sleep studies and lab policy to residents, fellows, and other personnel who may rotate thru department. They may serve as mentor to lower level technicians. Duties at this level may involve more complex procedures (under closer supervision) to prepare the technician for promotion to higher levels. The technician will operate computerized polysomnographs for recording continuous all night physiological data including EEG, EOG, EKG, EMG, and respiratory parameters. They will use devices such as oximetry, respiratory effort devices, nasal pressure devices, thermistors, thermocouples, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines, and laboratory computers. They will select and fit appropriate CPAP patient interface devices and provide education to patients during the daytime CPAP Group Clinics. The technician will conduct routine maintenance and adjustment checks on the equipment during the daytime CPAP Clinics (CPAP Maintenance Clinics, Walk-ins, Telehealth Clinics). Additionally, he/she will be able to address CPAP compliance via machine downloads and remote monitoring with machine modems. The technician will recognize and report any equipment failure to the supervisor. The technician will know medical terminology, anatomy, physiology as it relates to sleep disorders. They have advanced knowledge of The International classification of Sleep disorders and the ability to recognize uncommon and or rare sleep disorders. The technician will understand the relationship of events, sleep stages, and possible medical conditions which influence or result from events occuring during sleep. They will use this knowledge to review medical records and read and understand routine and complex sleep study orders. They will know normal and abnormal results and will document abnormalities during procedure. The Polysomnography (PSG) technician will utilize standard or alternate position for patients with common physical disabilities for the procedure being performed. They will utilize two methods of patient identification. They will explain the testing procedure to the patient. They will utilize the 10/20 method of electrode application during procedures. The technician will follow established laboratory protocol in performing standard overnight sleep studies, PAP, and MSLT's. The technician will independently titrate and document PAP level to achieve therapeutic goals. They will know the indications, complications, and contraindications to CPAP therapy. They will know how to use Bi-Level PAP therapy. They will obtain written permission to perform audio and video during the procedures that require such. They will recognize biologic and non-biologic (artifacts) EEG waveforms. They will know corrective actions to eliminate artifacts. They will recognize all levels of sleep. The technician has knowledge of event characteristics (ie. respiratory, cardiac, sleep stages, seizures, etc.) and will take appropriate action. They will make changes in recording techniques and parameters to optimize display of the clinical question (e.g. seizure monitoring, parasomnias). They will score and analyze sleep stages on the recordings. The technician recognizes obvious clinical manifestations of various types of epileptic and non epileptic seizures as they occur. The technician annotates observed behavior or anomalies on recordings. They use equipment specific processing software to execute several automation functions such as storing, retrieving, and transferring, electronic document and files. The technician will summarize and report Polysomnographic data in narrative form. They will recognize life threatening or medically emergent patient situations and take appropriate action to provide emergent care. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday; 8:00AM - 4:30 PM Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:000000 Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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. 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. Grade Determinations: To qualify at the GS-8 full performance level, you must possess 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; 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. 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. 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. Preferred Experience: 1-2 years experience in sleep lab setting. Experience in performing in lab sleep studies and titrations preferred. RPSGT a plus. References: VA Handbook 5005 /15, Part II, Appendix G27 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-08. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-08 Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as standing or walking for prolonged periods of time; frequent bending, reaching, stooping, and stretching to set up and take apart equipment and apparatus; lifting and repositioning patients; and pushing or pulling heavy objects such as oxygen tanks and/or equipment. The work may require specific physical characteristics and abilities such as above-average dexterity to perform intricate respiratory therapy procedures.

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 Central Virginia VA Health Care System 1201 Broad Rock Boulevard Richmond, VA 23249 US
• Name: Shawanna Reynolds
• Phone: 804-924-5254
• Email: [email protected]