The Supervisory Medical Instrument Technician Polysomnography position is located within Medical Service at the Dayton VA Medical Center, Dayton, Ohio and works independently under the Chief of Pulmonology or designee. The primary responsibility of this position is monitor and operate equipment used in sleep studies. Performs other related duties as assigned by the immediate Supervisor and/or the Chief of Medical Service.

Duties

The incumbent will serve as a vital member of the sleep medicine program. Overall responsibilities include taking a lead role in portable sleep study and Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) programs, and support of sleep-related treatment and teaching programs. The sleep technician performs a full range of standard as well a portable sleep monitoring examinations with responsibility for properly calibrating and maintaining all necessary equipment. Testing equipment will record multiple respiration parameters for diagnosing sleep apnea with nasal and oral airflow, respiratory effort, body position, oximetry, snoring and heart rate. Other primary duties include but may not be limited to the following: Downloads, confirms adequate recording, and electronically transfers reports to the electronic health record folder for completion. Scores sleep studies and alerts providers of critical or urgent results. Assists in communicating sleep study results with patients and arranges for appropriate follow-up in the sleep clinic. Independently programs and sets up initial positive airway pressure (PAP) equipment for issue to Veteran based on prescription, including pressure adjustments per prescription or provider recommendation. Works with a variety of brand and types of positive airway pressure (PAP) equipment such as CPAP, BiPAP, ASV, AVAPS, and others as well as conducting mask fittings to assure optimal mask seal and patient comfort. Educates Veterans on safe and proper use of PAP machine, mask, and associated equipment to assure optimal function and sleep quality. This may be done in a group or in one-on-one formats. Ensures patient's significant other or caregiver fully understands setup procedures and function of BiPAP/CPAP unit. Troubleshoots PAP equipment in CPAP clinic or in other settings as required, and evaluates mask interfaces to determine causes for poor efficacy, compliance, or need for equipment replacement to correct problems whenever possible or discuss with sleep specialist if needed. Ability to record EEG's will be of additional benefit. Ability to fill in as overnight sleep technician responsibilities in case of emergencies while following duty hour limitations or overtime protocols. Incumbent will supervise other sleep technicians. Typically these duties include assigning and evaluating the work of subordinate staff; assisting technicians in more complex cases; reviewing and making recommendations regarding new and emerging procedures; providing instruction and training to new staff; interviewing candidates for positions; recommending selections, advancements, promotions; evaluating performance and identifying educational or training needs. Supervisory Controls related to the position: Must be able to recognize that complex physiological records are proceeding correctly over an extended period of time. Incumbent is required to trouble-shoot or replace equipment, change settings on recording apparatus in ways that may not be fully explained in manuals and make improvements when the usual equipment is not available. Recognize if a patient has a potentially life-threatening disease and may suggest to the supervisor that an immediate treatment option to the patient and record the outcome. Defines the rules by which studies are performed and provides feedback after the studies are completed, but the incumbent independently plans and carries out procedures and handles problems. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 92899-0

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 or 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. Grandfathering Provision. 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). All persons employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: Such employees in an occupation that does not require a licensure/certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted, or demoted within the occupation. Such employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/registration, may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or demoted within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. Such employees in an occupation that requires a licensure/certification/registration only at higher grade levels must meet the licensure/certification/registration requirement before they can be promoted to those higher grade levels. Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or licensure/certification/registration that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. If an employee who was retained in an occupation listed in 38 U.S.C. § 7401(3) under this provision leaves that occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. Grade Determinations: GS-9. In addition to the core competencies defined at the GS-8 level, positions at this grade may be lead, 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 include experience which demonstrates possession of the knowledge required to provide all aspects of polysomnography 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. KSAs 4 and 5 are to be used in accordance with their appropriateness for the specific assignment. Knowledge of the more complex examination and treatment procedures and techniques in order to provide training and supervision in these procedures, to evaluate and initiate performance improvement projects, and to write policies, procedures, and protocols, that pertain to Polysomnography. (*) Knowledge of JCAHO and other regulatory requirements. Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with employees at varying grade levels. (*) Ability to manage and supervise employees. (*) Ability to provide, or provide for, staff development and training. Certification. Registration by the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (BRPT) is highly desirable. Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications are also desirable for employees at this level. Assignments. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Supervisory Polysomnography Technician. Individuals in this assignment assume full administrative and professional responsibility for planning and directing the work of subordinate technicians. Typically these duties include assigning and evaluating the work of subordinate staff; providing polysomnography technician services in more complex cases; reviewing and making recommendations regarding new and emerging procedures; providing instruction and training to new staff; interviewing candidates for positions; recommending selections, advancements, promotions; evaluating performance; taking disciplinary action when necessary; and identifying educational of training needs. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-9. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-9. Physical Requirements: Some of the work involves regular and recurring physical exertion in standing, bending, kneeling, reaching, gripping, and walking. Moderate to heavy lifting is required to assist patients and operate equipment. Extended periods of sitting may be required when attending meetings or completion of administrative tasks. Work may require physical stamina, normal use of arms and legs, and good visual and auditory acuity. Normal safety precautions and practices are required for working in a healthcare environment. Position requires emotional stability to deal effectively with multitasking and high-volume patient flow and competing demands. Professional appearances per medical center dress code, attitude and demeanor are required.

Education

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

Contacts

• Address Dayton VA Medical Center 4100 West Third Street Dayton, OH 45428 US
• Name: Gwendalyn Williams
• Email: [email protected]