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 duties of this position include but are not limited to the following: The incumbent will be located at the Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System (VAPORHCS). The incumbent reports to the Supervisory Medical Instrument Technician (MIT) of the Sleep Disorders Center who reports through the Respiratory Care Manager along with the Chief of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and the Clinical Director of Division of Hospital & Specialty Medicine (DHSM). The Chief of Pulmonary and Critical Care has staff authority of the overall functioning of the Sleep Disorders Center and reports to the Clinical Director of the Division of Hospital & Specialty Medicine who reports to the Chief of Staff. The Polysomnography Medical Instrument Technicians (MITs) at this level perform duties which are routine and standardized in nature with minimal supervision. MITs are proficient with equipment and ensure proper performance. The MIT is expected to function as a mentor to MIT staff and trainees/students. Assignments at this level require knowledge of basic medical terminology as well as common sleep medicine terminology. Performs the full range of complex tests using specialized equipment that requires precise adjustments to respond to individual patient needs. Tests consist of partial and full Polysomnography, positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy devices setup and operation, and telemedicine equipment operation. MIT sets up all necessary accessories or supplies and advises other medical personnel of new equipment, accessories or supplies. The incumbent will support the VHA Mission including patient care, education, and research. Job duties will include interacting with patients, family members, members of the health care team, including students and trainees. The incumbent may participate in the orientation and mentorship of new employees or students. PAP and how to integrate PAP therapy in the home setting. Able to desensitize patients to PAP therapy. Must be able to recognize disabilities and handicaps some patients may have and be able to act and react with professionalism and courtesy while communicating with the patient. Incumbent must be able to address patients' complex barriers regarding the PAP therapy when they arise, either via phone, CPAP clinic, CPAP Emergent Clinic, or VA Video connect. Checks in and stages patients for CPAP clinic. Assists patients with proper fit for PAP equipment and masks. Sets up the exam rooms to assure sterile supplies and other required equipment are carefully selected and properly presented as determined by the test being performed. Sets up the PAP equipment, performs quality checks to ensure readiness for use during the procedure. Establishes and monitors quality control, record keeping systems and measures to assure the accuracy and validity of results. Establishes and writes instructions for calibrating and standardizing instruments and equipment. Translates data into meaningful information. Examines and considers all aspects of a situation, including its context and complexity, in order to identify the best course of action and reach an informed decision. Ensures all equipment is kept clean and safe for use by the PAP patient. Able to recognize and report malfunctioning equipment to Biomedical Services for repair or replacement. Maintains and monitors all necessary supplies are stocked and available in the event of an emergent procedure. Ensures proper cleaning and performs minor adjustments and maintenance. Work Schedule: TOD: 0800-1630 M-F or compressed work week available 9 hour shifts 0800-1730 Telework: Ad-hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact [email protected] for questions/assistance. Learn more Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 01/09/2024. 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. Preferred Experience: Preferred candidate will a minimum of one year of RPSGT experience preferred. Grade Determinations: Requirements for the GS-6 Grade Level: 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:1. Knowledge of standard, computerized polysomnographs for recording continuous all night physiological data including EEG, EOG, EKG, EMG and respiratory parameters.2. 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.3. Knowledge of medical terminology and medical record organization to review medical records, sleep study orders, consent forms, medical charts, etc.4. Knowledge of polysmnographic procedural protocols (including overnight sleep studies, MSLT, MWT, PAP, etc.).5. 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). Requirements for the GS-7 Grade Level: 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:1. Knowledge of CPAP function and operation to select and fit appropriate PAP patient interface devices.2. Ability to independently titrate and document PAP level to achieve therapeutic goals.3. Knowledge of indications, complications, and contraindications of CPAP therapy.4. Knowledge of Bi-Level pressure titrations.5. 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. 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. Requirements for the GS-8 Grade Level: 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 Abilities1. 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. 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. References: VA Handbook 5005/54 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-06 to GS-08. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds, Light lifting, under 15 pounds, Moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds, Reaching above shoulder, Use of fingers, Both hands required, Walking (4-8 hours), Repeated bending ( 2 hours), Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4, hearing (aid permitted).

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 Portland Health Care System 3710 Southwest US Veterans Hospital Road Portland, OR 97239 US
• Name: Scott Newburn
• Phone: 208-422-1000 X7576
• Email: [email protected]