The incumbent, under the supervision of the Chief of Respiratory Care 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 Beckley VAMC.

Duties

This is the full performance level of the Medical Instrument Technician(Polysomnography) position. The primary duties of the Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography) are to independently monitor patients during all stages of sleep utilizing a variety of sophisticated recording devices, score and analyze sleep stages in clinical polysomnographic (PSG) recordings, and perform interventions, such as positive airway pressure and oxygen therapies, with minimal supervision. The Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography)summarizes and prepares reports of PSG data. The Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography) 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 Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography) is knowledgeable in complex procedures as well as uncommon and/or rare sleep disorders. 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 (PSG) 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, narcolepsy, parasomnias and periodic limb movement disorder. Demonstrates knowledge of respiratory, neuroanatomy and physiology, basic electronics and electrical safety, general knowledge of PSG instruments, attern recognition, and various medical and pharmacological conditions that influence the PSG. 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. Selects from a wide variety of electrodes and determines the best suited for each individual case situation. Applies electrodes according to recognized standards; electroencephalogram(EEG) electrodes based on the International 10-20 electrode placement system; electro-oculogram (EOG), electromyogram (EMG) and electrocardiogram (ECG) using The American Academy of Sleep Medicine Manual for the Scoring of Sleep and Associated Events. 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 clinical manifestation of different types of seizures as they occur and performs behavior testing to assess the degree of responsiveness during the recording. Annotates seizures, abnormal sleep behavior and significant respiratory events on the electroencephalographic records in real time (i.e., as the test is occurring. Recognizes artifacts, patient movements and diagnostic findings and makes changes in recording techniques and parameters to optimize display of the phenomenon in question. Scans and examines environment of recording to detect and eliminate possible sources of artifacts, recognizes artifacts as they occur in real time; works rapidly to diagnose and eliminate artifacts, in order to preserve the integrity of recording. Monitors patient, diagnostic equipment, recording and video equipment throughout the study; obtains artifact-free data and tracings; records significant observations such as sleep stage, heart rate, respiration rate, oxygen saturation level, body position; presence and/or absence of sleep apnea, snoring, myoclonus, bruxism, cardiac arrhythmias, sleep terrors, etc. Provides an assessment of the patient's condition throughout the patient's stay in the department and responds appropriately when a patient's condition falls below the baseline assessment of what is considered to be stable. Responds appropriately to all situations involving patient care. Scores clinical events (such as respiratory events, cardiac events, limb movements, arousals, etc.), and sleep/wake stages by applying professionally accepted guidelines. Inputs information into a computer for complete analysis and summation of data. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00-4:30 Compressed/Flexible:Available Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: English Language Proficiency Requirement- Per VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, Paragraph 3j: 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. In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Experience and/or Education. Applicants must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level demonstrating the clinical competencies described at that level. Examples of experience include: 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. Independently determine the need for CPAP during all night sleep studies for sleep apnea. Administer nerve conduction velocity tests. AND, Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs. (KSAs must evident in your resume) 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.

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 Beckley VA Medical Center 200 Veterans Avenue Beckley, WV 25801 US
• Name: James Caine
• Phone: 503-459-2594
• Email: [email protected]