This Medical instrument technologist (Polysomnography) Position is located in the Division Manager of the Medical Subspecialties Services at the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center in Milwaukee, WI. The position may involve polysomnography, diagnostic and therapeutic services or patient care and education. A MIT Polysomnography can perform the duties defined for a sleep technologist and may provide oversight of other staff.

Duties

The Medical Instrument Technician (Polysomnography) operate the electroencephalograph and other devices to record the electrical activity of the brain during sleep. The MIT under the supervision of the Lead MIT, displays proficiency and performs at a level of excellence in all Sleep Diagnostic procedures and other related procedures in accordance with the guidelines established by the American Sleep Disorders Association, American Academy of Sleep Disorders and policies and procedures of the Medical Center. DUTIES: - Patient instruction and education. - Patient assessment related to sleep disorders. - Patient setup, calibration and acquisition performance verification. - Monitoring of multiple physiological recording equipment. - Troubleshooting of polysomnographic recording equipment. - Perform pre and post-test calibrations. - Identify and treat sleep related breathing disorders. - Recognize the need for medical intervention if patient safety is at risk. - Remove, and sterilize electrodes and sensors at completion of study. - Staging of the sleep studies. - Document all data in Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) including the scoring of Sleep Studies. - Gather and analyze patient information.- Perform Polysomnographic procedures. - Maintain a safe work environment to include non-technical maintenance of equipment, safety checks, cleaning, and stocking. - Consult with the lead Technologist in unusual situations for which there are no clear precedents. - Treat Veterans with physical disabilities, injuries, or disease by use of a wide range of techniques and procedures. - Perform work using a variety of polysomnography equipment.- Perform routine and complex equipment care and maintenance. - Perform some administrative duties in the Sleep Study Laboratory. - Keep detailed records of tests and measurements performed, and keep and record quality control and timeliness of studies and data. Work Schedule: 7:00pm - 7:30am Compressed/Flexible:Compressed Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:0000 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. English Language Proficiency: Medical Instrument Technicians must be proficient in spoken and written English GS-6 GRADE REQUIREMENTS: Must have at least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-5) which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities related to the duties of the position. Experience includes: performing a full range of standard, routine examinations including overnight sleep studies, MSLT (Multiple Sleep Latency Test), MWT (Maintenance of Wakefullness Test), and PAP (Positive Airway Pressure Titration). In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: - Knowledge of standard, computerized polysomnographs for recording continuous all night physiological data including EEG, EOG, EKG, EMG and respiratory parameters. - 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. - Knowledge of medical terminology and medical record organization to review medical records, sleep study orders, consent forms, medical charts, etc. - Knowledge of polysmnographic procedural protocols (including overnight sleep studies, MSLT, MWT, PAP, etc.). - Knowledge of basic anatomy and physiology and the international 10-20 electrode placement system in order to conduct the sleep studies. GS-7 GRADE REQUIREMENTS: Must have at least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-6) which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities related to the duties of the position. Experience includes: Independently conducting difficult but standardized polysomnography examinations. Performing 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 and administering nerve conduction velocity tests. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: - Knowledge of CPAP function and operation to select and fit appropriate PAP patient interface devices. - Ability to independently titrate and document PAP level to achieve therapeutic goals. - Knowledge of indications, complications, and contraindications of CPAP therapy. - Knowledge of Bi-Level pressure titrations. - 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. GS-8: GRADE REQUIREMENTS: Must have at least 1 year of experience comparable to the next lower grade level (GS-7) which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities related to the duties of the position. Experience includes: Providing complex procedures as well as knowledge of the uncommon and/or rare sleep disorders. Interacting fully with the patient and physician to diagnose sleep disorders including those that are uncommon or rare. Conducting 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. Anticipating problems likely to occur during the sleep study and prepare for such situations, make changes in established procedures, or recommend alternative courses of action. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: - 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. Preferred Certification: - Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) certification. - Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-8. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-6, GS-7, or GS-8. Physical Requirements: The work required regular and recurring physical exertion such as standing or walking for prolonged periods of time; frequent bending, reaching, stooping, and stretching to set up and take apart equipment and apparatus; lifting and repositioning patients; and pushing or pulling heavy objects such as oxygen tanks and/or equipment. The work may require specific physical characteristics and abilities such as above average dexterity to perform intricate respiratory therapy procedures.

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 Clement J Zablocki Veterans Administration Medical Center 5000 West National Avenue Milwaukee, WI 53295 US
• Name: Rusti Stahl
• Phone: 217-554-4971
• Email: [email protected]