Activities in the Medical Instrument Tech (Polysomnography) position impact direct patient care in both the in patient and outpatient setting for the Central Alabama Veterans Healthcare System (CAVHCS). The primary responsibility of the MIT (Polysomnography) at this level is to receive requests and/or instructions for procedures and conducts diagnostic studies as ordered by the VA Providers.

Duties

Major Duties: Maintain BCLS Certification. Three (3) years of Polysomnogram, Electroencephalogram or Respiratory care. Successful completion of an accredited educational program leading to a certificate or associate degree with an emphasis in sleep technology; or successful completion of a sleep technology program associated with a state licensed and/or a nationally accredited educational facility or equivalent experience and documented proficiency at all competencies required of a sleep technician. Certification by a nationally recognized certification board and holds the Registered Sleep Technologist (RST), Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT), or Sleep Disorders Specialist (SDS) credential. Responsible for reviewing patient history as it relates to sleep disorders and other medical conditions which may affect the diagnosis of sleep disorders. Responsible for explaining the various procedures to the patient and independently performs the following tests or procedures as assigned: diagnostic PSG, titration PSG, Split-night PSG, MSLT, MWT, HST, Oximetry, and actigraphy. Independently performs sleep monitoring on individuals with possible sleep apnea or other breathing related sleep disorders and/or arterial desaturations secondary to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or other medical conditions. Independently performs sleep monitoring on individuals with other potential sleep disorders including, but not limited to, narcolepsy and periodic limb movement disorder. Independently applies continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) and other advanced modalities to appropriate levels per established protocols. Applies oxygen therapy as needed per established protocols. Responsible for the safe and proper operation of all equipment used in the Sleep Center. Verifies correct instrument calibration and operation using established procedures. Identifies the cause of common problems and notifies engineering service when appropriate. Obtains technical or factory assistance in order to fully utilize the equipment to its full potential. Accurately scores sleep studies, MSLTs, MWTs, HSTs, and prepares reports when assigned. Assists with CPAP clinic for equipment initiation and instruction, follow up, and compliance monitoring when assigned. Utilizes sleep software: Sleepware G3, Noxturnal, nVision, Encore Anywhere, Resmed Rescan, and Actiware in the performance of polysomnography, HST, oximetry, actigraphy and CPAP compliance when assigned. Provides patient education during the performance of sleep studies, when assisting with CPAP clinic, and may assist with sleep education classes. Possess computer skills to access and input typed data on each patient into the computerized patient record system (CPRS), VetLink for patient check-in for appointments, Visual Aid for viewing scheduled appointments and Microsoft Outlook for communication. Keeps inventory of supplies and initiates purchase requests in a timely fashion to avoid disruption of scheduled studies when assigned. Interacts with staff physicians regarding the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders and may provide briefings and orientation to hospital staff including physicians. Assists with maintaining department spread sheets for department performance measures. Work Schedule: Variable Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 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. Education: There are no specific educational requirements for this occupation. Licensure or Certification. Licensure or Certification is 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. English Language Proficiency. Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English. No person will be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C. chapter 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English. Grade Determinations: Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography), GS-8Experience. 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 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. 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, Part II, Appendix G27 Physical Requirements: The MIT (Polysomnography) must meet the physical requirements to provide pulmonary function and diagnostic testing: Sight corrected to 20/20 vision, no color or night blindness Lifting 30 lbs. Pushing 65 lbs. Repeated stooping Repeated bending Repeated twisting Prolonged standing and walking Ability to sit in front of a computer screen for long periods of time The MIT (Polysomnography) may be required to function as sole Clinician in the Pulmonary Services area if circumstances dictate

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 Central Alabama VA Medical Center-Montgomery 215 Perry Hill Road Montgomery, AL 36109 US
• Name: Ashley Lafi
• Phone: 708-940-8495
• Email: [email protected]