This is a non-supervisory Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography) (MITP) position located at the VA Northern Arizona Healthcare System (NAHCS) (Prescott VAHCS). The primary duties of the MITP are to independently monitor patients during all stages of sleep utilizing a variety of sophisticated recording devices, score and analyze sleep stages in clinical home sleep testing (HST) recordings. The MITP summarizes and prepares reports of HST data.

Duties

Total-Rewards-of-an-Allied-Health-VA-Career-Brochure.pdf The MITP anticipates problems likely to occur during the sleep study and prepares for such situations, makes changes in established procedures, or recommends alternative courses of action. The MITP is knowledgeable in complex procedures as well as uncommon and/or rare sleep disorders. This position also incorporates program managing the sleep clinic to include: creating and updating Standard Operating Procedures, maintain and ordering sleep testing equipment, monitoring consult compliance and recommending ideas to improve productivity, acting as educator for sleep related disorders to both Veterans and staff. The incumbent, under the supervision of the Section Supervisor(s), Respiratory Care and Sleep Services displays proficiency and performs at a level of excellence in all sleep diagnostic and related procedures in accordance with guidelines established by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, the American Association of Sleep Technologists, the National Board for Respiratory Care, the American Association for Respiratory Care and policies and procedures of the Prescott VAHCS. Duties include but not limited to: ADMINISTRATION/DOCUMENTATION: Documents all respiratory treatments and patient responses in the medical record. This includes documentation in the electronic (BCMA, CPRS and PICIS) medical record. Maintains departmental paperwork I.E., HSAT log, inventory, sleep questionnaires. Documentation in the electronic patient record will be done in a timely manner and will clearly state events that occurred during therapy as demonstrated through audit. Ensures that all patient consults /encounters received are accurate and completed daily and closed out in Vista/CPRS. Responsible to understand, interpret and comply with Respiratory Care Policies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). Manages consults for sleep testing and implements strategies to improve productivity. Acts as subject matter expert on sleep related disorders and provides education to Veterans and staff members alike. Demonstrate knowledge of and compliance with VA Policies and Procedures. Periodically reviews standard operating practice to ensure compliance and updates documents as needed. Reports productivity to Chief of Service and recommends improvement strategies. Collaborates with management to develop and maintain a productive work environment and positive working relationship by conducting daily activities, communications and interactions in a cooperative, positive, courteous and professional manner. Consistently maintains complete confidentiality of all sensitive material which may jeopardize the privacy of others. CLINICAL: Receives and acts on assignments for a variety of difficult examinations on compromised patients for planned, urgent, and emergent tests. Performs the full range of complex procedures using specialized equipment that requires precise adjustments to respond to individual patient needs, conditions or test sequences. Performs sleep monitoring (HSAT) on individuals with a variety of sleep disorders, including but not limited to; possible sleep apnea, arterial desaturations secondary to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or other medical conditions. Demonstrates knowledge of respiratory, neuroanatomy and physiology, basic electronics and electrical safety, general knowledge of HSAT instruments, pattern recognition, and various medical and pharmacological conditions that influence the HSAT. Sets up PAP equipment, performs quality checks to ensure readiness for use during the procedure; applies positive airway pressure (PAP) devices and titrates settings to appropriate levels per established protocols. Explains procedures and positions patient to insure comfort during a variety of tests, taking into account the patient's age, mental and physical status. Applies thoracic and abdominal transducer; pulse oximeter finger or ear probe; respiratory effort belts; nasal/oral sensors; and, other diagnostic electrodes and equipment. Recognizes sleep apnea, sleep movements, nocturnal seizures, and parasomnias such as nocturnal myoclonus and rapid eye movement (REM) behavior disorder; makes adjustments in recording parameters to optimize performance of sleep studies. Recognizes artifacts, patient movements and diagnostic findings and makes changes in recording techniques and parameters to optimize display of the phenomenon in question. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 16:30pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Telework: Ad-hoc only with supervisors approval Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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. Education may be substituted for experience only at the GS-4 and GS-5 levels. See the grade requirements part of this standard for information regarding educational substitutions 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. For certain functional areas at the higher levels or supervisory assignments, specific certifications appropriate to the specialty are indicated in this standard under "Titles and Certification/Registrations". 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: Definitions: Polysomnography Technicians operate the electroencephalograph and other devices to record the electrical activity of the brain during sleep. Registration is offered by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT). Creditable Experience - Knowledge of Current Medical Instrument Technician Practices. To be creditable, the experience must have required the use of knowledge, skills, abilities and other characteristics associated with current Medical Instrument Technician practice appropriate to the identified specialty area. [Specialized developmental experience obtained under supervision of appropriately certified individuals may be credited at higher levels and is addressed in individual appendices.] Quality of Experience. Experience is only creditable if it is equivalent to at least the next lower grade level and is directly related to the position/specialty to be filled. GS-10 - Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography). In addition to the core competencies defined at the GS-9 level, positions at this grade may be supervisory or non-supervisory with specialized advanced knowledge and assignments. Experience. At least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level, which is directly related to the duties of the position to be filled, and must fully meet the KSAs at that level. This would be experience which demonstrates possession of the knowledge required to provide the most complex polysomnography technician services. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following technical KSAs and the potential to acquire the assignment specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. KSAs 1, 2, and 3 are appropriate for all positions at this level. Advanced knowledge of complex and non-standard treatment and examination procedures and techniques. *Ability to plan and assist in the establishment of a completely integrated treatment and examination program *Ability to evaluate new products and equipment and make recommendations concerning developments which would improve operations. Certification. Registration by the Board of Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) is highly desirable. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are also desirable for employees at this level. Preferred Experience: Possess the Registered Polysomnographic Technologist™ (RPSGT) certification from Board of Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT). The RPSGTis an internationally recognized credential representing the highest certification in the field for the health care professionals who clinically assess patients with sleep disorders. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/54, PART II, APPENDIX G27. MEDICAL INSTRUMENT TECHNICIAN QUALIFICATION STANDARD GS-649 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-10. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-10. Physical Requirements: Moderate physical effort (lift/carry up to 50-100 lbs.) Prolonged extensive, or considerable standing/walking Lifts, positions, pushes, and /or transfers patients Assists with lifting and moving patients Lifts supplies/equipment Pushes/pulls or moves/lifts heavy equipment/supplies Manual dexterity and mobility Intermittent exertion when performing treatments Considerable reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, and crouching

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 Bob Stump VA Medical Center 500 Highway 89 North Prescott, AZ 86313 US
• Name: Dorian Bruce
• Phone: 909-602-4590
• Email: [email protected]