The position of Medical Instrument Tech coordinates patient care duties of the Sleep Health Center (SHC) as guided and directed by the supervisor, the medical director and service chief. The Incumbent is expected to performs a wide variety of administrative and technical protocolized and/or guided tasks associated with maintaining the work of the SHC. SHC provides direct patient care in both an inpatient and outpatient or clinical setting.

Duties

The Medical Instrument Technician - Polysomnographer will utilize his/her sleep medicine skills and knowledge to provide direct patient care mainly in the sleep center. Duties may include Polysomnography, home sleep testing, patient set-up, follow-up, initiation of durable medical equipment, as well patient care, and education, etc. Works collaboratively with the patient care team and will communicate, set priorities, and organize work for appropriate completion ensuring compliance with established processes, policies, and regulations within the section.Polysomnography (PSG) technicians at this level interact fully with the patient and physician to diagnose sleep disorders including those that are uncommon or rare. Conducts full sleep studies, including overnight sleep studies, and evaluates 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 prepares for such situations, makes changes to established procedures, or recommends alternative courses of action. Is knowledgeable about CPAP in-services, CPAP downloads, and CPAP trouble shooting. Mentors lower graded and less experienced technicians, assists physicians with results of the exam and assists Fellows and Residents in performing and interpreting studies. Work Schedule: Multiple Shifts Full Time, Monday - Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm or night shift 7:00pm - 7:00am specifics to be discussed once referred Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Licensure or Certification. Licensure or Certification is not required for this occupation; however, it is strongly desirable as evidence of possession of the essential knowledge, skills, and abilities. Registration is offered by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT). Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are also desirable for employees at this level. 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: To qualify at the GS-649-8 you must have at least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-7) which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the position to be filled. This would be experience which provide a knowledge of the more complex procedures as well as knowledge of sleep disorders. Examples of experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level include, but are not limited to: 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: 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 from. 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. Preferred Experience: Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are also desirable. Certification as a Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT) through the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BPPT) or Sleep Disorders Specialty (SDS) through the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) is highly desirable. Experience within the last three (3) years, conducting sleep studies in a patient care setting including one (1) year scoring sleep studies is highly desirable.At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-7) which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics related to the duties of the position to be filled. This would be experience which provide a knowledge of the more complex procedures as well as knowledge of sleep disorders. References: VAHandbook 5005/15, Part II, Appendix G27, Polysomnography, Appendix I The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. 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 grade technicians. Physical Requirements: Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography) functional requirements: light lifting (under 15 lbs.); Light carrying (under 15 lbs.); Reaching above shoulders; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Walking (up to 1 hour); Standing (up to 2 hours); kneeling (up to 1 hour); Ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors; Hearing (aid permitted); and emotional stability.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address Robley Rex VA Medical Center 800 Zorn Avenue Louisville, KY 40206 US
• Name: Laura Croghan
• Phone: 423-848-7818
• Email: [email protected]