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

The incumbent is responsible for providing Sleep Lab services to adult and geriatric patients at the VA Medical Center. However, it is necessary for the technician to be knowledgeable regarding the basic treatment of all age groups of patients. The technician must be able to adapt to the area of duty assignment and must be able to perform special duties required by the assignment. At the GS-8 level, duties will include, but are not limited to: The incumbent is responsible for collecting, analyzing and integrating information in order to identify and meet patient-specific needs and determine testing parameters/procedures according to Sleep Lab protocols or in conjunction with the Medical Director of the Sleep Lab or designee. The incumbent prepares and calibrates equipment required for testing to determine proper function and adjust if necessary. They apply electrodes and sensors according to American Academy of Sleep Medicine standards; performs appropriate physiologic calibrations to ensure proper signals and adjust If necessary; and performs mask fitting for Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) testing. The Incumbent performs standard, but complex, diagnostic and therapeutic polysomnographic testing, including all­ night sleep studies, Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT), and Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT); independently determines the need for CPAP during all night sleep studies; and adjusts CPAP and supplemental oxygen levels based on patient's response to therapy. They document routine observations, changes In procedure, and significant events in order to facilitate scoring and Interpretation of polysomnographic results. The incumbent records therapy results as required by Medical Center policy and regulating agencies, communicating information to appropriate members of the health care team. The incumbent explains planned therapy and goals to the patient and/or caregiver, and issues supplies and equipment to qualified sleep clinic patients. The Incumbent scores sleep studies for staging, respiratory events, limb movement events, desaturation events, and awakenings. They evaluate the relationship of events, sleep stages, and possible medical conditions which influence or result from events occurring during sleep. Anticipates problems likely to occur during the sleep study and prepare for such situations, make changes in established procedures, or recommend alternative courses of action. The incumbent can mentor lower graded technicians. Work Schedule: Monday thru Thursday, 8pm - 6am Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment 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. Grade Determinations: 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. 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. *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: RPSGT preferred but not required. References: VA Handbook 5005/15 Part II Appendix G27 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. Physical Requirements: This work requires moderate lifting (15-44lbs), light lifting (under 15lbs), moderate carrying, light carrying, and use of fingers. Environmental factor is working around constant noise.

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 Jonathan M Wainwright Memorial VA Medical Center 77 Wainwright Drive Walla Walla, WA 99362 US
• Name: Rebecca Hanson
• Phone: 509-434-7320
• Email: [email protected]