This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Duties

Conducts a variety of polysomnography tests: Nocturnal Polysomnography (PSG) including diagnostic and titration studies, daytime testing including Multiple Sleep Latency and Maintenance of Wakefulness testing, Home Sleep Apnea testing, Actigraphy, and Oximetry testing. Will be able to calibrate, interface, and operate all equipment used in polysomnographic procedures. Duties will vary based on grade. At the GS-8 level, duties will include, but are not limited to: Conducts a variety of polysomnography tests: Nocturnal Polysomnography (PSG) including diagnostic and titration studies, daytime testing including Multiple Sleep Latency and Maintenance of Wakefulness testing, Home Sleep Apnea testing, Actigraphy, and Oximetry testing. Will be able to calibrate, interface, and operate all equipment used in polysomnographic procedures. The equipment will include 32 channel PSGs, computerized noninvasive monitoring and scoring system for measurements of sleep and respiratory parameters; plethysmography, pulse oximetry, trans-cutaneous carbon dioxide monitoring, air and oxygen flow meters, digital video monitoring, electrocardiography, muscle tone. Explains procedures, and ensures patient comfort for optimal recording of PSG. Applies and maintains non-invasive ventilatory therapies (CPAP, Bilevel, Bilevel ASV, and Bilevel VAPS). Monitors and records significant observations such as sleep stage, heart rate, respiration rate, oxygen saturation level, body position; presence and/or absence of sleep apnea, snoring, nocturnal seizures, bruxism, cardiac arrhythmias, parasomnias. Recognizes artifacts, patient movements and diagnostic findings and makes changes in recording techniques and parameters to optimize display of the phenomenon in question. Sleep technician is able to recognize which medical complaints may be minor and which may need attention (calling supervisor) and which may require an immediate code blue and initiating of CPR. Requires knowledge of basic respiratory physiology and certification in basic life support. Organizes and prepares completed patient chart, tracing and other significant data, and present to chief technologist and medical director. Report suspect equipment malfunction to the Biomedical engineers and to the computer specialist as appropriate. Work Schedule: Monday thru Sunday 6pm-6am, variable days to include weekends Compressed/Flexible:Available Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation Incentives: Not authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact [email protected] for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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. Licensure or Certification: 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. For all specialties identified in this standard, 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 in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. 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-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: Knowledge of standard, computerized polysomnographs 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 polysmnographic 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. Certification: No certification or registration is required at this level. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification is desirable. Assignment: Polysomnography (PSG) Technicians at this level perform a full range of standard, routine examinations including overnight sleep studies, MSLT (Multiple Sleep Latency Test), MWT (Maintenance of Wakefulness Test), and PAP (Positive Airway Pressure Titration). 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: 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. Certification: No certification or registration is required at this level. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification is desirable. Assignment: At this level the Polysomnography Technician performs a full range of standard, but complex, polysomnography examinations with responsibility for properly and accurately calibrating all instruments prior to the beginning of the PSG tracing and selection of appropriate electrode montages and sensitivity and filter settings to elicit the best possible tracings. They independently determine the need for CPAP during all night sleep studies for sleep apnea. They may administer nerve conduction velocity tests. 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: 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. 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. Preferred Experience: Sleep medicine experience, working in a sleep lab, and be able to work in lab at night 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: This work requires moderate carrying (15-44lbs), use of fingers, walking, standing, ability to distinguish basic colors, hearing (aid may be permitted), and visual acuity 20/30 corrected. Environmental factor is working closely with others.

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 VA Puget Sound Health Care System 1660 South Columbian Way Seattle, WA 98108 US
• Name: Rebecca Hanson
• Phone: 509-434-7320
• Email: [email protected]